Childcare options in Akina

Lumsden provides an exceptional standard of early childhood education and care for tamariki from birth to five years in a fun, dynamic and nurturing environment. 

Our fully trained team of specialist teachers work together to support our children’s learning at their own pace, foster their well-being, open their minds to early literacy and numeracy applications, and guide them to play together in safe and supportive ways. 

The curriculum focuses on four main areas: 

• Literacy & numeracy 
• Languages & countries of the world 
• Art experiences, including music and theatre 
• Outdoor experiences, including active movement, gardening and sustainability 

As well as offering planned learning opportunities, tamariki have plenty of time to play, explore the outdoors and discover for themselves, all while making friends, building relationships and having lots of fun.

Taokotaianga Apii Kuki Airani Early Childhood Centre (TAKAH) provides education and care for up to 58 children, including 15 under two years of age. The centre is organised into three age-related groups. Many children are of Kuki Airani heritage. There are also small numbers of Māori and Samoan children. The programme promotes the individuality of all children. It values and respects multicultural heritages and history with a focus on Cook Islands Māori language and culture.

The centre is owned and governed by the Taokotaianga Apii Kuki Airani Hastings Incorporated Society. The trust chairperson is a long serving and experienced board member. Several members of staff, including the centre manager, are part of the board.

We offer quality Childcare in a culturally diverse and nurturing environment. A 'home away from home' for the learning and growth of all ākonga.

We, the management and kaiako of Little Sunbeams, are committed to providing holistic and equitable learning opportunities for the educational, cultural, and social-competence achievement of all ākonga. We are a ‘home away from home’.

We, the management and kaiako of Little Sunbeams, believe in the power of whanaungatanga, and the equitable educational, cultural and social-competence rights of all ākonga under Te Whāriki ~ The early childhood education curriculum.

Understanding the importance of the heritage of Aotearoa, our practices and implementation of Te Whāriki, demonstrate our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

We believe that ngā tamariki learn through play, and that our emergent curriculum and planning is child-initiated, reflecting the needs and interests of ngā tamariki. Creating meaningful learning experiences through: prioritizing active participation; building strong relationships; implementing flexible and adaptable teaching strategies; inquiry; and play-based learning.

We are advocates for quality care and education of all ākonga and believe that total quality management and financial control ensures we provide a service focused on ngā tamariki, which continually seeks for ways to improve the delivery of our service.