Hillcrest High School Community Ch-Care

Hillcrest Childcare is a non-profit organisation operated as a charitable trust by Hillcrest High School Community Child Care Trust.

We are a small community based, mixed age whanau centre. We believe children grow and develop best when they are secure in their sense of belonging. We encourage our children to be happy, healthy and confident young people, who make valuable contributions to their environment and community. We believe children’s interests are extended through meaningful interactions, individual exploration and self-discovery. We cater to our children’s changing interests and provide opportunities for them to gain a rich understanding of their world. We also have heaps of fun!

The Centre is located at the rear of the High School grounds, off Carrington Avenue. We are close to the University of Waikato, Ruakura Research Centre, Waikato Innovation Park and close to Silverdale, Knighton and Hillcrest Primary schools. Our community is lucky enough to embrace a wide range of age groups, ethnic groups and socio-economic backgrounds.

We have highly qualified staff with a low adult/child ratio. Because of this we are able to spend more time with each individual child and discover their natural abilities and interests. We then have time to work together to develop their interests further.

Transition to School programme 

Through our before school programme we gently prepare our older children for school by encouraging them to work together and to stimulate and extend their thinking through questioning, suggestions and sharing information. Children spend time working in a classroom setting and having fun with language, developing familiarity with numbers and doing short activities driven by the children’s interests. The Transition to School programme also encompasses visits out of the Centre.

Other unique features of the Centre:

• Large shaded backyard complete with adventure playground, giant sandpit, slides, ramps, swings and more
• Centre vege garden and fruit trees
• Exciting School Holiday programme with theme days.
• Access to the local library and walks to the local park to explore our community
• Annual Centre excursions to the zoo, the theatre and other Hamilton attractions
• A great community of parents, grandparents and other whanau
• Ample, safe, off-road parking for drop-offs and pick-ups