Stepping Stones Childcare Centre

Kia Ora - Welcome to our Centre

Stepping Stones provides quality early childhood care and education for infants, toddlers and preschoolers in central Upper Hutt.

Our Aim

Through partnership with parents, guardians and whanau, all children will be empowered to grow up as competent and confident learners by building solid foundations to develop their knowledge, skills, values and attitudes for life long learning.

Our Centre

The Centre has two separate buildings. The nursery caters for children up to 2 years of age and is licensed for 14 children and the preschool is licensed for 28 children aged 2 years and over.

Management

Stepping Stones Childcare Centre is managed by the Upper Hutt Community Children’s Centre Trust which is made up of parents, caregivers and members of the community. It is a self-supporting and non-profit organisation.

Philosophy - Rapunga Whakaaro

Children’s wellbeing is our priority and we achieve this through providing a nurturing and engaging environment.

We work together in partnership with whanau to promote responsive, reciprocal relationships as we believe this is the foundation for learning.

The natural environment is an important part of our curriculum. We enjoy the outdoors in all weather allowing children opportunities to explore, challenge themselves, take risks and learn to connect and care for our environment.

We nurture global citizens who respectfully walk the earth, mindful of the footprint they leave behind.

Te Kaupapa

We believe in fostering an environment which:

• Embraces a key teacher framework for developing authentic, trusting, reciprocal relationships between kaiako, tamariki and whanau.
• Encourages children to take risks, challenge themselves and build social competence in an environment where their interests and strengths are valued.
• Respects and accepts diverse cultures and individuality.
• Inspires tamariki to walk softly on the earth and connect with the environment.