Active Explorers Nelson Street

At Active Explorers Nelson Street our children are at the heart of all we do.

Staffed by a passionate team of experienced educators, we provide the highest quality care and education in a fun and responsive environment. Placing strong value on interactions and play, we will support your little one to reach their full potential and develop a lifelong love of learning.

Give your child the wings to fly.

Why choose us?

There are a host of reasons why families choose Active Explorers Nelson Street. Here are just a few of them:

• Great hours for busy working parents (open 8am to 5pm)
• Above average teacher to child ratios
• Three separate spaces for each age and stage including a dedicated toddler room to meet the unique needs of that age group
• Delicious and nutritious morning and afternoon tea provided
• Rito Healthy Heart Award
• Regular excursions (e.g. art exhibitions, local school visits)
• Monthly visits to the Kahurangi Unit (dementia ward at Greymouth Hospital)
• Weekly cooking and baking with the children
• Free sunscreen
• Raincoats and gumboots provided for outside play on wet days
• At least two teachers speak two languages (Afrikaans and Mandarin)
• Bicultural practice is embedded in daily practice
• Inclusive and multicultural
• Strong relationships with children and whanau

Our Rooms

Active Explorers Nelson Street is divided into three learning spaces, each heavily influenced by the RIE principles surrounding respect.  Consideration of age and development, and emotional readiness play an important role in the placement of a new child within the centre.

Nursery

Spacious and well equipped, our Nursery is rich in natural, open ended resources and challenging yet safe equipment that allows children to extend themselves. We also have a large covered deck so children are able to play outside rain or shine.  We follow the natural rhythms and routines of each child using a system closely linked to primary caregiving. We believe in providing children with a peaceful environment with plenty of small spaces for individual or parallel play. Following Magda Gerber’s philosophy of free movement, our Nursery allows children to naturally develop at their own pace.

Toddler Room

We are the only centre in Greymouth to offer a separate toddler area for 2 year olds.  The teacher to child ratios in this room are usually 1:6/7 rather than the legal 1:10. That means children are better supported as they assert their independence and develop language and social competence skills. Children are encouraged to be independent and to take responsibility for their belongings, environment and their actions. The environment supports self-initiated and emergent learning opportunities, with a variety of activities and resources that extend children’s interests.

Preschool

Our Preschool caters for 3 to 5 year olds in a spacious, well equipped room. Good relationships with local new entrant school teachers mean children are well supported during their transition to school. Teachers support and extend children’s individual learning by offering resources and learning opportunities centred around the children’s interests, promoting child-led, inquiry-based learning. Children are encouraged to be independent and take responsibility for themselves and their belongings and are empowered to negotiate through their own conflict resolutions.