Childcare options in Kaikoura

Kaikoura Early Learning Centre is a safe, nurturing and welcoming environment where quality early learning and our tamariki are at the heart of what we do.  

We have a very spacious, purpose built centre and our tamariki love to swing out on the monkey bars and hanging ropes, dig moats in the sandpit, explore waterplay and enjoy our natural setting and large outdoor play area. 

We even have our own vegetable patches and orchard where the children grow and harvest their own food! 

We are proud to be a part of a diverse and vibrant community where your child’s unique identity is celebrated every day.

Little Oaks by the Sea is a boutique seaside preschool with a family friendly atmosphere

Our philosophy is developed from the OAK TREE, an image with a strong foundation being the ROOTS.

The sturdy TRUNK represents strength, binding the tree together, leading into the

BRANCHES being our teachers and environment which provide the link to the

LEAVES which represent the learning outcomes for children.

ACHIEVE

To have pride within, to love to learn, to persist, to be creative, to problem-solve, to challenge, to be independent, to value and believe in ourselves and each other, to enjoy, to DREAM.... and to be the very best that we can be.

RELATIONSHIPS

We aspire to be Positive, Professional, Reciprocal, Caring, Honest, Trusting, Collaborative, and to have Open Communication, Freedom of expression, to have Responsive Relationships with our Community and a strong sense of Belonging within it, Fostering a Community of Learners within our preschool.

RESPECT

To have Respect: For each other, for oneself, for our environment and all that is in it, to Appreciate, to Beautify, to be inclusive of all. We Respect and Nurture individualism and development of the whole personality.

Learning is inspired by our local surroundings where we are in a unique situation to take advantage of the sea, beach and natural reserves. These natural resources are used in our daily programmes to enhance learning for children.

"I believe in the ocean curing all bad moods

I believe in the waves wiping away worries

I believe in seashells bringing good luck

I believe in toes in the sand grounding my soul."

"SMELL THE SEA and FEEL THE SKY

LET YOUR SOUL and SPIRIT FLY"

Little Tamariki Montessori Ltd is a privately owned and operated centre in the township of Kaikoura. It is a long-established service that provides care and education for infants and toddlers to school age within two mixed age group settings. There are separate indoor and outdoor areas for each age group.

The centre's programme is based on a blend of the Montessori philosophy and Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum.