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We welcome you to Heart of Albany Early Learning Centre
Heart of Albany is a warm and welcoming early learning centre where children, whānau and kaiako are at the heart of everything we do.
Situated on a sprawling one-acre site in the heart of Albany, our centre provides spacious indoor and outdoor learning environments, along with 60 car parks to make drop-off and pick-up easy for our families.
With four thoughtfully designed rooms catering for children from around 3 months through to 6 years of age, we provide age-appropriate environments where children can feel safe, secure and confident to learn, play and grow.
Our Learning Programmes
At Heart of Albany, we believe every child is unique and brings their own strengths, interests and personality to their learning.
Our programme follows an emergent curriculum, where our teachers build learning experiences around the interests, strengths and development of each child. We are also inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach and guided by Te Whāriki, New Zealand’s early childhood curriculum.
Our children are grouped into four approximate age groups:
- Imaginers – 3 months to 2 years
- Dreamers – 2 to 3 years
- Storytellers – 3 to 4 years
- Discoverers – 4 to 6 years
For our youngest children, the focus is on warm, responsive care and developing secure relationships with their teachers. As children grow, our programmes encourage independence, communication, creativity, exploration and confidence.
Our older children are supported as they prepare for the transition to school, with early literacy and numeracy included through meaningful, enjoyable and play-based learning experiences.
The Team
Led by Centre Manager Leena Puri, our teaching team is passionate about creating a warm, nurturing and inclusive environment where every child feels safe, valued and supported.
Leena brings more than 20 years of experience in early childhood education across New Zealand, Singapore and India. Together with Assistant Manager Michelle Musnit and the wider teaching team, she is committed to providing high-quality early childhood education through meaningful relationships, play-based learning and strong partnerships with parents and whānau.
We recognise every child as a capable and confident learner and encourage curiosity, creativity, resilience and a lifelong love of learning.
We also believe strongly in building open and trusting relationships with our families. Parents and whānau are encouraged to be involved in their child’s learning journey and are always welcome to talk with our team and participate in centre life.
Healthy Food at Heart of Albany
Meals That Follow Healthy Heart Foundation Guidelines
Heart of Albany has an in-house kitchen with meals prepared by trained cooks using nutritious ingredients and following Healthy Heart Foundation guidelines.
Our four-week cyclic menu provides children with a variety of freshly prepared foods, colours, flavours and ingredients.
We aim to:
- Provide appetising and nutritious meals using locally sourced natural ingredients where possible.
- Reduce refined sugar by using natural sweetness from fruits.
- Follow Healthy Heart Foundation guidelines.
- Provide meals that are low in sodium and trans fats.
- Include foods and flavours from a range of cultures.
If your child has a specific dietary requirement, please let the Centre know prior to enrolment so suitable meals can be provided.
If your child is on breast milk or formula, this will need to be provided to the Centre along with your instructions.
A Flexible Fee Structure
Heart of Albany is open and taking new enrolments.
To help meet the different needs of our families, we offer a range of attendance options including full days, shorter days and sessions.
Our fee structure reflects the different programmes and hours available, giving families flexibility depending on how long their child is enrolled for.
Please contact the Centre for current programme and fee information.
An Easily Accessible Location
Heart of Albany is situated in the heart of the Albany business district at 10 Corinthian Drive.
The Centre is easily accessible for families travelling through Albany and has plenty of free on-site parking, helping to make everyday drop-off and pick-up as easy as possible.
At Heart of Albany, our goal is to create a place where children experience joy, develop meaningful relationships and build the confidence to become lifelong learners.
Together with our families and community, we create an environment where every child feels they belong, every voice is valued and every learning journey is celebrated.
Our Philosophy
At Heart of Albany, we believe every child is unique, capable and full of potential. Our role is to recognise and nurture each child’s individual strengths, interests, personality and way of learning.
Our programme is based around an emergent curriculum, which means we follow the interests and ideas of our tamariki and use these as opportunities to extend their learning and development. We are also inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, which sees children as confident and capable learners who learn through relationships, exploration, creativity and meaningful experiences.
Our teaching is guided by Te Whāriki, New Zealand’s early childhood curriculum, and its five strands of wellbeing, belonging, contribution, communication and exploration. These are woven through the everyday experiences we provide for children and help guide how we support their learning and development.
Strong relationships are an important part of our philosophy. We believe children learn best when they feel safe, valued and connected, and when parents, whānau and teachers work together. Families are encouraged to be involved in their child’s learning and to share their own knowledge, culture and aspirations with us.
We also believe learning extends beyond the Centre. Through connections with our wider community and experiences outside the Centre, children have opportunities to explore new places, build confidence and develop a stronger understanding of the world around them.
Above all, we want every child at Heart of Albany to feel that they belong, that their ideas are valued and that they are supported to grow into confident, curious and enthusiastic learners.
Fees and Attendance
At Heart of Albany, we aim to make our fees and attendance arrangements as clear and flexible as possible for families.
Fees are paid fortnightly in advance by automatic payment. For children aged 3 to 6 years, 20 Hours ECE funding is available where the required attestation form has been completed and eligibility requirements are met. Families who are eligible may also be able to receive a childcare subsidy through Work and Income.
Heart of Albany is open throughout the year, excluding public holidays. Fees continue to apply for public holidays, school holidays and days when your child is absent due to sickness.
Families are entitled to up to four weeks of holiday discount at 50% each calendar year, subject to the Centre’s conditions. Make-up days may also be available, depending on availability and the Centre’s policies.
Minimum attendance requirements apply for children aged 3 years and over, and any changes to your child’s regular attendance need to be provided to us in writing.
Our fees are reviewed annually.
If you wish to end your child’s enrolment at Heart of Albany, we require two weeks’ written notice.
For full details about fees, attendance, holiday discounts, make-up days and other conditions, please ask the Centre for a copy of our current Terms of Trade and Policies and Procedures.
Healthy Meals, Happy Kids
At Heart of Albany, we provide fresh, nutritious and appetising meals to help support children through their busy days of learning and play.
Our meals are prepared by our onsite cook using natural ingredients, with menus designed to provide a good balance of the nutrients young children need. We follow Healthy Heart Foundation guidelines and use a four-week rotating menu to provide plenty of variety.
We also aim to introduce children to foods and flavours from different cultures and welcome suggestions from our families. Current menus are displayed at the Centre so parents and whānau can see what is being served.
If your child has any allergies, intolerances or other dietary requirements, please let us know during enrolment so we can discuss how these can be accommodated.
For babies who are having breast milk or formula, this will need to be provided to the Centre along with your feeding instructions.
