Smiths City Childcare Centre

Welcome to Smiths City Childcare Centres a facility we have designed to extend and enhance your child’s learning and development throughout their infancy, toddler and pre-school years.

We are a popular Centre established and purpose built 22 years ago with a unique pod system  to provide childcare and education for families with children between 0 and 5 years of age in four separate areas that cater for Babies, Toddlers, Betweeners and Preschoolers.  We have the convenience of our position being in the heart of the C.B.D.  but without the problem of noise and pollution from vehicles due to our very safe off –street location.

The Centre Owner and Head Teacher has a long history of facilitating the growth of childcare opportunities  in  Whangarei having established 4 other purpose built centres from inception to licence. The Centres are open for 10.5 hours per day, Monday to Friday opening from 7.00a.m. to 5.30 p.m..

There are four different cluster groups as described below.  Choice of group will be decided in consultation with parents and Senior staff and this movement can be flexible.

The Centres are licensed for 124 children,

divided into the following  pods:

Vinery Lane Building

Bumbles - 6 weeks  to approx 2 years 

Busy Bees - 2 years to 3 years approx 

Hunt Street Building

Beehive - 3 years to 4.25 years 

Bees Knees - 4.25 to 5 years 

Centre Objectives

• To provide a safe, clean, secure and stimulating environment for children and their families.
• To provide developmentally appropriate programmes catering for the individual needs of the child, including children with special needs.
• To follow the curriculum as set down in Te Whaariki.
• To facilitate the social, emotional, intellectual, physical and language development of each child.
• To foster a sense of self worth and pride in the child.
• To foster respect for one’s peers and play materials and equipment.
• To assist the child in understanding limits and why they exist.
• To foster feelings of happiness and a sense of belonging in the child.
• To provide the opportunity for the child to make decisions, take responsibility and express themselves appropriately.
• To provide the child with an understanding of health, hygiene and dietary requirements.
• To provide an environment that acknowledges and supports cultural differences.
• To provide opportunities for extended families to be actively involved in the Centres.
• To act as a resource for parents and to endeavour to meet the various childcare needs and concerns within the community.
• To maintain communication with authorities, agencies and relevant bodies in the community.
• To provide Early Childhood Educators and their students, the opportunity to undertake placements in the Centres.
• To provide staff with the opportunity for professional development and to work as a team in a happy and rewarding environment.