Active Explorers Farnborough

Well known for our nature based learning programmes and passion for sustainability, Active Explorers Farnborough is the ideal early childhood centre for celebrating and growing enquiring minds. Located just six houses down from a wetlands reserve and park, our tamariki benefit from a large natural playground that’s quite literally on their doorstep. This dishes up a wealth of opportunities for exploration and learning.

Our team of highly experienced and passionate educators also place great emphasis on expressive arts, encouraging children to cultivate their own unique talents and potential in an environment that is nurturing, encouraging and respectful.

Our philosophy

We believe…

• Families and whanau are a vital part of the learning process. We welcome and celebrate all cultures and promote the historical backgrounds that recognise our dual heritage
• Children learn best when they are interested. We encourage children to use their imagination and inspire them to develop a love of life and learning
• Children have the ability to lead their own learning. Our holistic programme encourages this through flexible routines, experiences which are varied and challenging, and myriad opportunities for exploration
• Our staff are role models, and we value them for their vision, their skill and knowledge, their heart and playfulness, their delight in children and their commitment to our families and whanau
• In an environment that encourages children to take risks within their play and learning; an environment that fosters confidence, self-esteem, communication skills and life skills; and an environment that instils a sense of belonging in every child

Our Rooms

Active Explorers Farnborough has two separate buildings catering for different age groups – under 2.5 and over 2.5 years.

Mini Explorers

The youngest members of our centre family are our Mini Explorers. Children here enjoy a nice natural playground perfect for toddler investigation, and we even have some much-loved baby rabbits. The space is staffed by a multicultural team who work under an umbrella of respectful practices, and who support key teacher roles. Our centre offers a family setting, and children who have older siblings are able to spend time together.

Active Explorers

Our Active Explorers have a large nature playground with free range chickens, a wilderness garden, a flower garden and even a fairy garden. There’s a big focus on expressive arts – the children are exposed to real artists, music of different genres and lots of storytelling. They also enjoy a wide range of activities such as Tai Chi, yoga and soccer. Our multicultural team have been with the centre for a long time and are highly experienced and dedicated.

Why choose us?

At Active Explorers Farnborough we give children the best possible start through a nature based learning programme that also celebrates arts and creativity. Our passion in these areas is a big drawcard for many families, but there are a host of other reasons to choose Active Explorers Farnborough…

• Healthy Heart cooked lunch daily
• Daily fitness classes including tai chi, yoga, dance, exercise to music and fitness skills
• Our 4 year olds can do soccer from March to October, with coaching and weekly practices culminating in an end-of-season game between the Hot Cheetahs and the Fiery Dragons
• Four big bus trips each year outside of Hamilton (eg. Auckland Zoo)
• Regular process cooking classes
• Music sessions following the Orff method
• Regular community excursions based on children’s interests 
• We have chickens, a rabbit,  a worm farm and compost
• Children tend our community vegetable garden which we share with neighbours
• Multicultural environment that celebrates many special events and occasions including birthdays, Diwali, Cambodian New Year, Chinese New Year and Matariki
• We are part of the He Waka Eke Noa Community of Learners Group – a group of secondary schools, primary schools and ECE centres that work together to support good transitions for children