Sunshine Childcare Preschool

Sunshine Childcare is a place where your child can learn by exploring the natural world around them. Where pets are there to be cared for, and trees are there to be climbed. We really believe there’s enough wonder in Nature to inspire any child. We just need to open their eyes to it.

Our rooms

We have 5 separate rooms at Sunshine on Sunshine, each tailored for the needs and learning development of the specific age group.

THE KORU ROOM 

Our Koru Room is our specialist nursery, catering for tamariki 0-16 months. Kaiako follow the Pikler approach which is based on respectful relationships between an adult and infant, through tender care moments with children, a naturally paced physical development, free movement and uninterrupted play.

THE KEA ROOM

Our Kea Room is for our younger toddlers – who are active and on the move, exploring everything through their senses and with their whole bodies. Routine times are flexible and treated as rituals; a calm respectful time between Kaiako and tamariki. Kea tamariki are empowered to learn to play and interact with and alongside their peers and share an outdoor space with the older toddlers in a tuakana-teina relationship.

THE PUKEKO ROOM

The Pukeko Room is for our older toddlers. At this age, tamariki thrive best in an inclusive and respectful environment, where they are encouraged and empowered into sensory explorations, and the beginnings of independence; where there is space for outdoor play and where their changing temperaments are nurtured and respected through caring interactions.

THE PIWAIWAKA ROOM

The Piwaiwaka Room is for our 3 year olds. During this developmental stage, tamariki learn through experience, therefore, we offer a range of empowering activities and experiences to support tamariki to learn and develop, indoors and outdoors, especially in their deepening understanding of their sense of identity and place in the world. The Piwaiwaka tamariki work in tuakana-teina partnerships with the Rimu room in their shared outdoor space.

THE RIMU ROOM

Our Rimu Room, for our 4-5 year olds, is a large natural space, where tamariki are free to explore, experiment and create understandings of the wider world. Interests, urges and needs are fostered through play guided by experienced kaiako. The Rimu room focuses on teaching tamariki how to respect themselves, others and the environment, essential skills for going to school.

 OUR COMMUNITY GARDEN

Nga tamariki and kaiako are kaitiaki (guardians) of our community garden, which is where we plant and harvest vegetables and fruit as a short walk to the back of our centre. Nga tamariki have opportunities to learn how to grow vegetables and delight in eating them as well.