Childcare options in Waitara
Waitara has a few daycare, childcare and early childhood education options. Book a visit or enquire at any one of them with Kindello. We're here to help you find the perfect fit for you and your child.
Top-rated childcare in Waitara
Parents agree these childcare options are highly rated for location, staff, and more.
5.00 (1)
Waitara - Waitara
Busy Bees Waitara
Check out our website (busybees.org.nz/waitara) for more details and click enquire now!
Growing young minds requires special moments of wonder and awe. Busy Bees Waitara has a play-based approach to learning, allowing children time and space to independently explore and seek understanding of the world around them. As a whānau, we support your child’s journey and individual stage of development, encouraging them to reach their full potential. We look forward to supporting you and your child through this journey. Come along to see us in the centre or call any time.
Licensed for
60 children
Waitara - Waitara
Waitara & District Community Childcare Centre
Waitara & Districts Community Childcare Centre Inc. is a non-profit parent cooperative, operating a full day service. It is situated in Waitara, within large grounds that allow for varied learning experiences.
Licensed for
40 children
Waitara - Waitara
Tiny Nation Waitara
About us
Tiny Nation is home-based care and education with a difference.
We believe that children have the best chance to flourish when they have secure attachments and a strong sense of belonging in their early years. This foundation is key to emotional, physical and mental growth and wellbeing. From this nourished beginning, happy, healthy and well-adjusted young adults can grow.
Enquire today
We would love to match you with the ideal educator in your area so send us an enquiry here and we’ll be in touch to provide you with all the information you need to make the best choice for your family.
How we look after our families
- High quality education and care using only trained educators and qualified teachers
Because we believe in quality, not quantity, we only work with trained educators and qualified teachers, who by completing their training have proven their commitment to nurturing and caring for children. We find the best trained teachers and educators and support them to deliver their own unique early learning programmes in their own homes. We hand-pick them for their passion, commitment, experience and qualifications. We know that qualifications are an indicator of quality when it comes to early childhood education and we’re proud to represent 100% qualified educators and teachers.
- Family and educator self-matches
When you enquire with us as a family, we support you to self-match with a Tiny Nation educator of your choice. The choice factor is huge here – you get to choose the person you leave your child with when you can’t be there. You will choose your educator based on the needs of your family and child, your values, your own early learning philosophy and, most importantly, your connection with them. This allows you to find the perfect educator for your family – someone who will become a part of your support village and who will advocate fiercely for your child when you can’t. Isn’t this what we all want as parents?
- Small ratios of no more than four children to one educator
By choosing home-based early learning, you are choosing small groups and responsive relationships. Tiny Nation educators have no more than four pre-school children in their care at any given time, with no more than two under the age of two. This allows them to engage with their care children in meaningful ways, dedicating time to support their development and getting to know them deeply. Having small ratios of children per educator enables respectful interactions and authentic connections. Your child is not just a number at Tiny Nation.
- Nurturing, natural and familiar home environments
Home environments stir up comforting memories for all of us. We make personal connections with this kind of environment because it represents our childhood. It provides a strong sense of security and safety as we are able to seek comfort through the familiar. Early childhood education in home environments provide a calm and settled foundation for learning to occur. Children have the space to explore the community around them in real and authentic ways.
Our vision
To empower a nation of children to reach their full potential
Our guiding principles
Leadership / Ārahitanga
We encourage, empower and inspire our educators and teachers to contribute to our thinking and re-define what leadership looks like in early childhood education.
Relationship / Whanaungatanga
We are founded on consistent, familiar and nurturing relationships. It’s vital to take the time to understand, relate to and acknowledge each other as relationships are the soil from which everything else grows.
Partnership / Whakahoahoatanga
We are collaborative and work in partnership with parents and whānau, educators, the community and other like-minded services so that they can participate in and contribute to our journey.
These are our values
Authenticity / Mana Pono
This means being real and accountable. We partner with people who are aligned with our principles, values and beliefs so that we can all show up for our children in meaningful ways.
Belonging / Nō Konei Hoki
We affirm the identity, culture and language of our community and ensure staff, children, families and whānau know they have a place with us. Our environments and programmes are inclusive and our transitions are thoughtfully planned.
Communication / Kōrero
Reciprocal and responsive communication allows us to express ideas and feelings. We’re as passionate about listening as we are about being heard. We model effective communication so that our children become capable and confident communicators.
Our commitment to families
“Ko te ahurei o te tamaiti aroha o tatou mahi.
Let the uniqueness of the child guide our work.”
When you enrol as a family with Tiny Nation, we make a commitment to you as we journey together to provide your child with the love and care that they need to grow and flourish. For us, early childhood starts with care and ends with education. We know that no significant learning can occur without there first being a significant relationship. Your chosen educator becomes your child’s special person – their ‘go to’ in times of triumph and trouble. Someone who loves them just like you do and an extension of your family.
Licensed for
4 children
Childcare for every family
Get the childcare option that is right for you and your child.
Education and Care
Teacher-led and at least half of the educators will be qualified early childhood education teachers.
Kindergarten
Community-focused childcare, where the teachers seek to involve families and whānau.
Playcentre
Parent-focused and family-orientated approach to childcare. Play-led learning.
Popular features for Waitara childcare centres
Other great childcare options in Waitara
Waitara - Waitara
Waitara Central Kindergarten
The staff at Waitara Central Kindergarten consists of a teaching team of four, a Kindergarten Administrator and a Van Driver. We are a food service kindergarten and provide cooked meals for children every day.
We offer a pick up and drop off van service within our community.
The group size is a maximum of 30 children aged 2- 6 years.
Licensed for
40 children
Waitara - Waitara
Orapa Kindergarten
Teaching and Learning
At Orapa Kindergarten teaching practices and learning experiences for children are guided by the cultures, values, beliefs and aspirations of families and whānau. Warm and trusting relationships are built in a welcoming, nurturing and safe environment where whanau participation in the programme is welcomed.
Tamariki/children are encouraged to:
- support each other (tuakana-teina), and become socially confident and competent.
- drive their own learning, explore and make discoveries
- develop positive attitudes to learning i.e. perseverance, responsibility, independence, confidence to take on new challenges
- A strong emphasis is placed on promoting the physical well being and safety of children.
- Tamariki/children are encouraged to develop healthy eating choices to maximise productive learning.
- The expansive outdoor play area provides opportunities for tamariki to develop physical well being through activities i.e. athletics, sports, yoga, skipping, creative movement and more
- Tamariki learn skills such as turn taking and sharing, problem solving, negotiating in an environment where rules and boundaries are fair and safe.
At Orapa Kindergarten children learn with and alongside others in a warm, friendly supported environment where they:
- Are safe in a secure environment
- Have fun while learning
Orapa Kindergarten:
- Has a large well equipped indoor and outdoor play area, with an expansive all weather veranda
- Encourages the development of independant learning skills
- Is committed to providing an up to date learning environment
- Teachers are committed to professional development
Welcomes visitors and enquiries
Licensed for
34 children
Waitara - Waitara
Tikorangi Playcentre
Kia Ora and Welcome to Tikorangi Playcentre!
We are a small rural centre situated in the heart of Tikorangi, right behind the Tikorangi School. Our playcentre whanau is made up from families from Tikorangi, Waitara, Brixton, Bell Block and Onaero. We are the only ECE provider in our community.
Many people come to us looking for that cosy, simple environment that being a rural setting can give us. We have beautiful native bush right over the back fence and have strong day to day links with our school, allowing connection and communication with our community around us. Our local Hapu is Otaraua and their marae is just up the road.
Our children are supported to become confident, competent self-directed learners through play based around their interests. Our children gain knowledge through play, participation and positive guidance. MESSY PLAY is a big part of our children’s learning at Tikorangi, esp as many of our children are toddlers at present.
Curiosity and creativity in our tamariki is nurtured through the fun range of experiences provided … no two days at Playcentre are the same. Nurturing and social skills which have lifelong benefits are a big focus. Siblings attend together, allowing older children to mentor younger children and practise empathy and caring.
Relationships developed through Playcentre provide support for parents from parents and helps them develop new parenting and life skills. Often in a rural setting it can be a very isolating time with a new child. Our playcentre provides that ever important link for people to make the most of their children’s years and to make a connection with their community.
There is no other organisation for early childhood education and family development quite like it in the world. Thousands of kiwi children, and their parents too, have grown up with Playcentre … book in for your three visits today and come and join the fun.
Nga Mihi Nui
Licensed for
30 children
Waitara - Waitara
Te Kōhanga Reo o Waitara
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.
Licensed for
50 children
Waitara - Waitara
Waitara Playcentre
Nau mai, haere mai and welcome to Waitara 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.
come 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!
Licensed for
26 children
Waitara - Waitara
Te Kōhanga Reo o Ngā Pekanga
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.
Licensed for
50 children