Pukekohe Early Learning Centre

Pukekohe Early Learning Centre is a purpose-built childcare centre set in the heart of Pukekohe. Opened in 2016, the centre offers a supportive, nurturing environment in which children thrive. 

Our teachers are all fully trained and passionate about early childhood learning.

High teacher-child ratios mean that each child’s personality and culture is celebrated, while the welcoming, stimulating spaces encourage learning and development.

Modern, thoughtfully designed rooms and outdoor areas enable dedicated zones for different activities. 

COMMUNITY FOCUSED

We are proud of the role our centre plays in the local Pukekohe community, and we aim to foster a welcoming environment for families of all backgrounds, cultures and beliefs. Our philosophy is to bring people together to create meaningful relationships based around caring for our tamariki. Regular events are held at the centre to facilitate this, including teddy bears’ picnics, dance instructor days, celebrations of festivals such as Matariki and more. Parents, caregivers and extended whanau are welcome to attend all events. 

Each child has their own diary, in which the work they have created that week is collated and, at the end of the week, children can take these home to share with their families. We are also in the process of implementing the Storypark system at the centre, which allows children’s whanau to log in to the secure online system (via computer or phone) to access updates and stories about what their child has been up to.

THE ENVIRONMENT

We have a bin to collect food scraps and a local farmer uses the scraps as food for her pigs each week. We recycle as much waste as possible from the centre, and use pre-loved materials donated by centre families in art and craft projects. 

We use biodegradable rubbish bags for the waste we do produce, and we have recently partnered with local company Dirt Doesn’t Hurt to provide children with oilcloth bags to contain any wet or soiled clothes - no more plastic bags.  

If your family uses reusable nappies, we’re happy to work with these. 

FOOD

We serve children morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea each day. Children learn and play best when their tummies are full of nutritious food, and our on-site centre cook ensures that each meal is nutritionally balanced, nourishing and healthy. We are a nut-free centre and are in the process of also becoming egg-free. 

We’re very proud of our centre garden, which acts as both a learning resource and a source of food. Older children work with centre staff to care for the garden, and our cook uses the vegetables the children grow in centre meals. Any excess produce is given to centre families, along with easy-to-follow recipes to replicate healthy meals at home.  

We are respectful of cultural dietary requirements, and where possible will also work with your family to ensure that any intolerances or allergies your child may have are catered for.