Childcare options in Oamaru

Welcome to Glen Warren/Te Ana A Raki Kindergarten 

The wairua as you walk into Glen Warren – Te Ana a Raki and that you feel in every area of the kindergarten makes this place a very special taonga for tamariki whanau and community to be in.  

Through an inspiring environment tamariki experience a place where they can question, be curious, challenge themselves, explore, investigate and take risks. Tamariki engaging socially and grow as confident & competent learners who come with their own thoughts of mind and are empowered to share, acquire and strengthen knowledge and dispositions. With a strong commitment to the Tiriti o Waitangi and responsive relationships.  

Glen Warren is a full year Kindergarten and we provide lunch daily. Our kai creator prepares nurtritious meals on site for all tamariki. Our menus have been created in collaboration with the Healthy Heart Foundation and we respect all dietary requirements, allergies, and culutral beliefs so please make us aware of these on enrolment or as they come up.

Purpose built, with an amazing wilderness garden, Little Wonders Oamaru offers a nurturing and inspiring atmosphere for young children to thrive. Our rich learning environment and top quality resources will support your little one to become a competent and confident lifelong learner. They’ll develop a strong sense of belonging and will blossom under the excellent care of our dedicated team, who are passionate about bringing out the unique potential of every child.

Safe and secure, stimulating and engaging, Little Wonders Oamaru is the perfect start for young minds. Set your child up for a bright future. Call us today to arrange your visit.

Why choose us?

There are a host of reasons why families choose Little Wonders Oamaru. Here are just a few of them:

• Extended hours provide enrolment options to suit all families (7.30am to 5.30pm)
• All meals provided (morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea)
• Healthy Heart gold award
• Part of Enviroschools programme 
• Amazing Trent Street Wilderness Garden enables children to explore and connect with the natural world
• We use sustainable practices including worm farm, compost, recycling, eliminating plastic bags through children suppling their own wet bags
• We have our own vegetable garden and fruit trees
• Purpose built centre that is spacious, modern and inviting
• Children learn to nurture and care for animals thanks to our rabbits, turtle, guinea pigs and fish
• Our environments are inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy
• Primary care approach for under 2s
• Four separate rooms for each age and stage encourage accelerated learning as children transition through the centre
• Visits from local library representative for music and movement classes and story time
• Multicultural environment
• Family participation and collaborative relationships encouraged
• Highly anticipated 5th birthday ritual
• Regular participation in community initiatives such as Burns Memorial art exhibition and Victorian Heritage celebrations
• Cultural celebrations including Chinese New Year, Matariki, Diwali, Tongan Language Week
• End of year Christmas party for children and families

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

• The beautiful big Elm tree in our outdoor area creates shade for our tamariki to play under, native plants and even our own vegetable garden.
• Our open-plan indoor area has an array of play-based experiences and resources to inspire, stimulate and enable your child to learn and discover at their own pace.
• We encourage healthy eating habits and offer a balanced menu to keep your child well-fuelled throughout the day

Convenience

Our aim is to create the best conditions for your child's learning, wellbeing and care. We also know how important it is to give you the convenience you need and reassurance that your child is in safe hands. Our central location, loving team and tailored environment are all waiting to be discovered by your whānau.

Flexible hours offering sessional and full day options is loved by our local families. We use Storypark - our online parent communication tool, which also allows a more convenient way to stay in touch on whats happening at the centre. Delicious meals and fun activities are just the beginning when it comes to being the best we can be for your child.

Staff who nurture and inspire

Our qualified and experienced teachers are committed to caring for and nurturing your child. They build a strong connection with each child throughout their early learning journey and go out of their way to ensure every child feels supported and their unique needs are met.

Our teachers create positive opportunities for your child to develop physically, mentally and emotionally. They help guide your child as they navigate new friendships, master new skills and build independence and resilience to get ready for school and lay the foundations for lifelong learning.

Engaging environment

Our happy and nurturing environment will inspire, stimulate and empower your child to learn in their own unique way. The outdoor spaces challenge and excite the imagination, while our spacious and light filled indoor areas offer room for reading, rest, and engaging indoor learning experiences. Our children love painting, waiata and the many natural play areas they have to discover.

Connecting with the outdoors

We only know who we are, by knowing where we come from. That's why building a strong connection with nature and our local community is so important. We believe it helps your child develop a sense of belonging and identity and positively influences their learning experiences.

We're so lucky to have so many wonderful options on our doorstep here in Oamaru. We grow our own vegetable and herbs in our garden and are planning some community excursions to the local park.

Nutrition and wellbeing

We strive to provide nutritious and delicious meals and snacks to support physical and mental development. We encourage healthy eating habits and offer a balanced menu to keep your child well-fuelled throughout the day. The children love being involved and we use the vegetables and herbs we grow, in our meals.

Fees and subsidies

We want to make your child's early learning and care experience as affordable as possible. We are a not for profit organisation, so everything we do goes back into supporting your child, the centre and our community.

Our fees include:

• Quality education, care and activities provided by our team of teachers
• Local outings

At Lower Waitaki Playcentre we strive to be a centre that provides a strong foundation for confident, curious and resilient learners, affirmed in their positive relationships with others  

We are a community of learners. We firmly acknowledge the part that our rural community and wider whanau play in learning. We learn and play alongside our tamariki while they learn alongside each other. Lower Waitaki Playcentre is a place in the community where other young families find support and connection  

Children at Lower Waitaki Playcentre set their own pace for learning and alongside Te Whariki we incorporate strong play based models. We provide quality education, grounded in the knowledge that mana whenua (belonging) is the backbone of Lower Waitaki Playcentre. A place where warmth and community spirit are alive and well!

Nau mai, haere mai and welcome to Weston 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!

MONTESSORI OAMARU

Hands-on learning from newborn to 6 years 

Montessori Oamaru follows the Montessori philosophy of child-directed learning, focusing on a respect for the child and their ability to learn through discovery. Our early learning centre is calm, warm and inviting; with light-filled spaces and an open plan, natural design. We create environments that encourage your child to explore and be creative, promoting active independence and freedom of choice. 

Our ‘Montessori family’ of teachers are present to observe and guide your child’s learning in a supportive and patient manner while ensuring the best possible environment for learning.

The Montessori method focuses on observed learning with a fully child-led philosophy.

The main idea is that when a child is introduced to a well-prepared environment, they are naturally able to learn. The Montessori method of education gives children unique opportunities to learn more thoroughly without distraction and efficiently through experience, guidance and practice. The teacher in a Montessori environment plays the role of a ‘guide’, someone who is there to offer a framework for the child’s own interests and passions. The Montessori environment provides a safe, calm, carefully designed setting for optimal learning that nurtures the physical and spiritual being.

Nau mai, haere mai and welcome to Oamaru 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!