Childcare options in Levin

Parsons Avenue Kindergarten offers learning and fun in a spacious environment, both indoors and out. We have a rich mix of cultures, with children from Māori, Pasifika, Indian, Chinese and European families.

Our kindergarten is highly regarded and well supported by the local community. We have children attending whose parents also came here as children.        

We offer a wide range of learning experiences and children are making decisions, and setting their own challenges. Children are encouraged to take pride in, and care for the environment through gardening and recycling. Our programme is guided by Te Whāriki (the early childhood curriculum)

Children have the opportunity to create their own korowai, which they wear for their farewell, then take home as a taonga.  Regular wa whānau time teaches waiata, rakau, dance, and te reo Māori.

Kei te ora, kei te whakatipu te tamaiti kei waenganui i tōna ake whānau me te hapori.

A child lives and grows within the context of a family and a community.

Taitoko Kindergarten embraces a whānau based model; educating tamariki, whānau, kaiako and hapori. We are licensed for tamariki aged 0-5 years, with all ages learning alongside each other reflecting tuakana/teina ako. 

The teaching team values tamariki and families’ mātauranga as we all learn from each other. Most Tuesday during term time we offer a coffee group where parents come together and share what they are interested to learn and hear about. Guest speakers often visit sharing their knowledge with us.

 Taitoko Kindergarten’s learning environment embraces families’ mātauranga and this is shared with all through learning experiences and our assessment (Learning stories).

Our values of nurturing whakaute, aroha, atawhaitanga and manaakitanga lead our learning experiences, encouraging the mana of tamariki.

Our strong connections with community agencies also offer support to tamariki and whānau either at Kindergarten or in their homes when requested.

All cultures are welcome at Fanau Pasifika, the first Pasifika kindergarten in Horowhenua.   Fanau Pasifika was initiated when the voice of the community was heard in 2012, in the former Cambridge Street Kindergarten.    

Our programme offers unique learning opportunities for all children in our aiga (family) based environment, where children attend from under one to five years old.       

We provide opportunities for aiga and matua to be involved in our programme and we encourage them to learn alongside their fanau by staying and working with the teachers. We begin our sessions each day with lotu which is a blessing for the day and we finish our day with another lotu.       

We have a weekly Falelalaga on Wednesdays from 10.00 until 11.00, led by our matua and aiga with support from our faiaoga (teachers). The topic for every Falelalaga is based around the children’s interests.  Va Feiloai ma le Faa’aa’aloalo  (warm relationships and respect) is our protocol that we live by at Fanau Pasifika every day. We also have regular Kapa Haka sessions and our kaiako is Anahera Winiata.    

O le gagana Samoa, Tongan, English and Maori languages are all used in our kindergarten each  day and all faiaoga are aware of what we do and seek support and help from our aiga, matua and our community.     

We encourage healthy food and ask parents to help us with this by ensuring that chippies and other packaged snack foods are left at home. Water is available to the children throughout the session so we ask our matua not to send drinks along.      

Traditional food is provided when we have special occasion in our kindergarten. Parents and aiga are asked to participate and contribute to these special events.    

All faiaoga at Fanau Pasifika are 100% qualified.  Our team is a mixture of cultures, Samoan, Tongan and papalagi with beautiful Pasifika hearts.

Here at Betty Montford Kindergarten our whanau, community and the relationships we share are what makes our kindergarten special. As a team we are responsive to the needs and values of each individual family and create positive learning outcomes for all our children.    

We have fun celebrating a number of cultural events/festivals, such as;  Christmas, Easter, Matariki, St Patricks, Valentines day, Healthy Heart day, the list goes on!    

We have a large purpose built building with an extensive playground and our children are nurtured by an attractive warm environment which promotes their holistic development.   

Levin North School is located right next door which has enabled us to develop strong relationships with their teachers and continue an active transition programme with weekly visits.       

We also run a weekly Kapa Haka session.

At Fairfield Educare we work in partnership with tamariki, whanau and our wider community according to our core values of: WHANAUNGATANGA, where we believe our relationships are the key to teaching and learning and we are respectful, responsive and reflective in our communications. 

We encourage independence and "inquiring minds" by providing a safe and stimulating holistically environment for tamariki to become competent and confident, life-long learners. 

We believe in MANAAKITANGA where family values, integrity, trust and equity are practiced and diversity is celebrated. We support tamariki/whanau and teachers to feel they belong and know their contributions are valued. We reflect the TE TIRITI 0 WAITANGI through our bicultural curriculum and acknowledge the unique place of Maori as Tangata Whenua while respecting the other cultures represented within our centre. Our service is committed to ongoing Assessment and Evaluation to provide high quality educare for all Ako.

The Levin Montessori child care  centre caters for children from the ages of 2 to 5 years old, and for up to 30 students.

Following the 'Maria Montessori' approach, children are taught not by formal teaching methods, but are taught to develop natural interests and activities - this is referred to as "focus learning".

The children here at Levin Montessori are in a mixed age setting of children aged between two and five years. Their education takes place in a warm friendly environment where the love for learning is fostered. The children are taught respect for each other, the environment, community and all other aspects of life. We as teachers are committed to roll modeling this in all areas of our practice.

What is the Montessori teaching philosophy?

The Montessori education philosophy was developed by Italian physician Maria Montessori.

Montessori education emphasises independence, freedom (with limits) and the respect of a child's natural psychological development.

Through two learning cycles (9:00am to 12:30pm and 12:30 pm to 4:00pm), your children will experience a range of Montessori activities during these times.

The children here at Levin Montessori are in a mixed age setting of children aged between two and five years. Their education takes place in a warm friendly environment where the love for learning is fostered. The children are taught respect for each other, the environment, community and all other aspects of life. We as teachers are committed to roll modeling this in all areas of our practice.

Learning a range of activities

With an emphasis on being independent and practical life, your children will enjoy a range activities, some of which include:

• cooking
• gardening
• sewing
• music

Tararua Educare is one of two privately owned centres in the Levin area.

Quality education and care with a Papatuanuku based philosophy. Where children get the best of a rural life on a working farm and urban life accessing the horowhenua region. Both centres are Enviroschools and have Qualified experienced teacher's

Te Kōhanga Reo

The kōhanga reo movement is a unique initiative based on total immersion in Māori language and values with the aim of passing on Māori culture to future generations.

Kōhanga reo emphasise the revitalisation of the culture through te reo Māori and are dependent on the active participation of the whole whānau. The kaupapa of kōhanga reo aims to strengthen whānau capabilities in cultural, social, economic, spiritual and political matters. Education, health and wellbeing are inherent within all aspects of the kaupapa. The prime focus is the whānau – its collective development, growth, accountability and wellbeing set within a Māori cultural context.

Kōhanga reo do not regard tamariki in isolation, but as important members of the whānau. The kōhanga reo philosophy is that tamariki will benefit when whānau successfully operate according to the kaupapa. Tamariki are an integral part of whānau development.

The following key goals are the foundation of te kōhanga reo kaupapa established in 1982:

• total immersion in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga in daily operations
• whānau decision-making, management and responsibility
• accountability
• health and wellbeing of mokopuna and whānau.

The key goals of te kōhanga reo assure that there will be:

• security in te reo Māori
• a supportive, caring environment for mokopuna
• whānau (collective) sharing of responsibilities, knowledge and expertise
• greater respect and appreciation of each other.

Farmhouse Preschool and Nursery is a new daycare centre and nursery school in Levin for children from birth to five-years-old. Although our centre is new, the team behind it is very experienced - owning several other centres across Horowhenua and the Kapiti Coast.

With two dedicated buildings - one for 0-2 and one for 2-5 - your child will love coming to our daycare no matter what their age. We have a wide-ranging preschool programme for children including the chance to get outside in the fresh air and spend time with our lovely animals.

We're open from 7am to 6pm so we can provide childcare when you need it to fit in with your working hours. Conveniently located close to central Levin, we welcome families from across the areas including Ohau, Poroutawhao and Koputaroa.

Our Early Learning Services Philosophy

We strive to provide a natural learning environment that promotes a child led learning approach through opportunities that include experiences, conversations, relationships, interactions, partnerships and responses. We valued and uphold the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. This is underpinned by;

Aroha: 

We care and build strong partnerships with tamariki and their whānau that are based on empathy, compassion, respect and trust. We value, celebrate and uphold all language, culture and identity. We encourage our nga tamariki to have a love for their environment.

Kaitiakītanga:

 We respect ourselves, each other and the learning environment. We respect, promote and understand each individual tamariki emotional development and learning needs. We integrate animals into our daily programme and support nga tamariki in having a sense of responsibility and to support the development of empathy.

Whānaungatanga: 

We all work together in partnership to provide the best outcome for our tamariki. We encourage whanau to be active participants in their child’s learning where voice is heard, valued and responded too.

Te Kōhanga Reo

The kōhanga reo movement is a unique initiative based on total immersion in Māori language and values with the aim of passing on Māori culture to future generations.

Kōhanga reo emphasise the revitalisation of the culture through te reo Māori and are dependent on the active participation of the whole whānau. The kaupapa of kōhanga reo aims to strengthen whānau capabilities in cultural, social, economic, spiritual and political matters. Education, health and wellbeing are inherent within all aspects of the kaupapa. The prime focus is the whānau – its collective development, growth, accountability and wellbeing set within a Māori cultural context.

Kōhanga reo do not regard tamariki in isolation, but as important members of the whānau. The kōhanga reo philosophy is that tamariki will benefit when whānau successfully operate according to the kaupapa. Tamariki are an integral part of whānau development.

The following key goals are the foundation of te kōhanga reo kaupapa established in 1982:

• total immersion in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga in daily operations
• whānau decision-making, management and responsibility
• accountability
• health and wellbeing of mokopuna and whānau.

The key goals of te kōhanga reo assure that there will be:

• security in te reo Māori
• a supportive, caring environment for mokopuna
• whānau (collective) sharing of responsibilities, knowledge and expertise
• greater respect and appreciation of each other.

It Takes Big Hearts To Shape Little Minds

Chelsea House Levin is committed to employing trained and skilled educators. Our staff are passionate about providing a quality early childhood experience at our childcare centre, for all children in their care.

We do this by:

• Valuing the child as an individual within the context of their family and community;
• Ensuring children feel safe, secure and trusting of the people and surroundings of Chelsea House;
• Supporting parents/whanau in their role as primary caregivers and sharing information of benefit regarding the development of their child;
• Embracing the Early Childhood Curriculum – Te Whaariki;
• Valuing play as a medium for all aspects of development and learning;
• Valuing a bicultural curriculum and supporting the culture of the Whānau;
• Celebrating the multicultural diversity of our families.

Levin Baptist Kindergarten aims to provide a quality, caring leaning environment.

Kindy is a community-based centre that reflects Christian principles, where educators share a philosophy that all children are special and therefore provide an environment where everyone is encouraged to be kind, caring and respectful. We foster Christian values through Christian songs, Bible stories and singing grace before mealtimes.  

Educators plan to meet individual children’s interests and abilities through providing an environment where children are given opportunities to explore, succeed and learn in their own way. Resources and equipment in our centre support and encourage children’s learning through group activities, teacher-child interactions, peer to peer and individual learning.

Mission Statement

Our service exists to provide a quality, inclusive, environment that is welcoming, caring and that nurtures the excitement of learning, where children and their families experience God’s love and receive quality care and education based on Christian values.

Nau mai, haere mai and welcome to Levin Playcentre

Playcentre is unlike any other early childhood education organisation. At Playcentre, both children and their parents / caregivers attend.

At Playcentre children get the opportunity to learn and explore in a fun and safe environment.

The curiosity and creativity of our tamariki is nurtured in a way that allows them to learn about themselves and their world.

Your child will be given a chance to explore, create, climb, read, sing, experiment, play music, wear costumes, have their face painted (or do it themselves!), garden, do carpentry with real tools, bake and cook, build sandcastles, swing, slide, dance, spend time in nature and get messy.

The activities change every day. Playcentre parents all bring different skills, interests, and cultural backgrounds to add to the rich learning environment.

We welcome families with children aged 0 – 6 years. Mixed age play allows your children to engage with others older and younger than themselves. Pre-schoolers learn how to communicate, share and negotiate with empathy for their younger peers.

At Playcentre, families come together and lifelong friendships are formed.

We welcome you to visit any time during the year. You are entitled to three free visits so come and check out what we do – we would love to meet you and your family!