Childcare options in Ashburton

We are a group of well-established, non-profit, professional kindergartens based in the Ashburton community, offering education for 2-6 year olds.  

We maintain a high-quality programme, which is taught by professional teachers, ably supported by a Kindergarten Manager and Board.  

Your children will benefit from a wealth of educational and play resources, whilst in a safe and secure, clean and comfortable environment.  

We promote high self-esteem and confidence – happy children bring happy parents and families. We believe children do their greatest amount of learning through play.  

Our professional teachers are all qualified in Early Childhood Education. They extend your child’s thinking and choices through individual programme plans and provide an educational environment and appropriate resources to support your child’s learning needs.

We hope that you and your child will enjoy being part of our Centre, and that they will have fun learning throughout their early education years. Our aim is to ensure that each child is acknowledged as an individual. Our Teachers will provide quality education in a stimulating environment that will contribute to the child’s successful future.

Jigsaw Preschool opened in June 2011. We cater for infants through to five year olds. Our preschool is unique, as it has been purposely built to cater to different age groups. Each room is designed to meet the child’s individual development. As your child grows and develops, each room will provide stimulation and age appropriate activities that extend their learning further.

Welcome to our Playcentre  

We have a fantastic centre which has been remodelled that is located next to Ashburton Borough School. We have a large floor area with many areas of play and equipment. Outside is a great playground with a grassed area and hill, swings, a slide, a large fort and sandpit and a water play area.  

Children learn playing at Playcentre Each session is supervised by trained and qualified Playcentre Supervisors who offer sessions which cater for all age groups. We are a family-friendly centre. Each day children’s interests are extended by the 16 areas of play set up for their development. 

 Come along and join us any time.

Nau mai, haere mai, welcome to Ashburton Montessori. 

We are a licensed Preschool that caters for children aged 4 months to 6 years. Our centre consists of 3 classrooms over 2 buildings. Our main building has 2 classrooms that cater to the children aged 2 years to 6 years and our other building is home to our nursery that caters for children up to 2 1/2 years. 

We provide a fun, loving and caring environment that helps children develop important life skills and a love of learning. 

 “Education is a natural process carried out by the child and is not acquired by listening to words but by experiences in the environment.”

What is Montessori?

Montessori education is about the developing the thirst for knowledge in the child, it recognises the child’s natural curiosity and desire to learn.

Through the child’s daily experiences we help them to create a love of learning, manaaki (respect) for one’s environment, peers and oneself. The children gain self confidence, self esteem, leadership and general knowledge.

Ashburton Montessori Preschool provides your child with the opportunity to explore and learn in a safe and caring environment that promotes independence and respect. Your child will be involved in many activities including the Montessori materials – from pouring liquid and tying shoelaces to learning about nature. Other materials await each child’s interests in mathematics, reading and writing.

Your child’s individual activities with the Montessori materials are complemented with other experiences such as singing, creative art and crafts, baking, games and pottery.

An important aspect of Montessori education is the control of error, Dr Montessori found that children learned best when they had the freedom to correct their own mistakes so created materials that could be self correcting through the control of error.

Every day our areas of play are set up to invite children’s play and further develop their interests. Our qualified supervisors plan sessions for our children to enjoy and learn during their play. We are a family friendly environment where friendships are made – both children’s and adults.  

Quality Early Childhood Environment

 We have a fabulous updated centre with plenty of modern equipment and areas where children can learn in such a warm welcoming environment. Outside is a fabulous sandpit, bike track, fort, swings and a slide, and a waterplay area complete with a grassed area for physical play. We also have a close association with Longbeach School where we visit the new entrants classroom and play in the school grounds. This is so helpful for preparing the children for their transition to school.

Welcome to Ashburton Baptist Preschool

The Ashburton Baptist Preschool is open to all families in the community and provides a secure atmosphere where children learn new skills and be a part of a wide range of activities and experiences to build on and challenge their individual interests and learning e.g. painting, play dough, collage, puzzles, blocks, construction, cooking and family play. 

At the Ashburton Baptist Preschool you will encounter real authentic engagement between the staff, and your children. This relationship also extends to the families and genuine partnerships are formed with your children at the centre of these relationships. The environment is set up to foster creativity, problem-solving skills, maths, science, music, drama, language and social skills.

The Centre aims to provide a caring and supportive Christian environment to the families who choose to join us. We offer extra support to adults in times of stress and need - through clothing, transport, meals and other practical help. Our values are; Respect Manaakitanga, Relationships Whanaunatanga, and Love Aroha

The Ashburton Baptist Preschool provides excellence in early childhood care and education, in an accepting, secure environment which is accessible to our local community.

Mission

"To show every child they are capable of great things. For decades we have been teaching in an environment full of trust, acceptance, and authenticity. This has ensured the Akonga always know they are supported while receiving a quality education both academically and spiritually."