Little Wonders Cromwell

Located a stone’s throw from Goldfields and Cromwell Primary Schools, Little Wonders Cromwell offers top quality care and education for local infants, toddlers and young children. Specially designed to inspire young minds, our well resourced, purpose built centre includes an outdoor area that’s second to none! Large learning environments allow children to actively explore within an inclusive setting that extends and enhances learning, while our dynamic curriculum builds lifelong skills through open ended play.

Your little one will flourish here, immersed in an environment that is supportive and nurturing, and guided by expert educators who genuinely love what they do.

Equip your child with the tools for success. Enrol now at Little Wonders Cromwell.

Our philosophy

Let them fly
Giving children the freedom to learn

At Little Wonders Cromwell, we believe that it is our role as teachers to provide nurturing and safe learning environments for all akōnga to thrive and actively engage in learning. Manaakitanga is valued through reciprocal relationships with the children and their whānau, which are built on a foundation of trust and respect. As teachers, it is important to empower children and enhance their mana to grow and develop into lifelong learners.  We strive to provide an inclusive learning environment that supports the diverse needs of our learners.

We view children as open-minded investigators, who are competent and capable of achieving self-directed goals through play. Our children are respected and valued for their contribution to our daily routines, rituals and to our community.

Children are encouraged to learn through engaging in potentiating environments which provoke wonder and discovery. We engage children’s creativity and imagination by offering open ended resources and learning experiences that spark curiosity. We aspire for children to be risk takers, who feel free to express their own ideas, values and beliefs; and to learn alongside their peers in an exciting, fun and collaborative environment.

Our commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti o Waitangi is acknowledged through respecting the cultural needs of our Māori learners and their whānau by integrating these into our teaching practices and learning environments.

Our Rooms

Little Wonders Cromwell has three separate rooms, enabling us to deliver safe, nurturing and age appropriate learning experiences for all our children.

Caterpillar Room

This warm and welcoming space caters for the youngest members of our family, aged from 3 to 20 months, and follows aspects of RIE and Pikler philosophies. The pace is unhurried and flexible, and teachers follow each individual child’s home routine.

Chrysalis Room

Specially designed for our children aged from 20 months to 2.5 years, and inspired by the Pikler and Reggio philosophies, the Chrysalis Room provides a homely, safe and calm environment where little ones thrive.

Butterfly Room

This dynamic and stimulating space is purposely designed for children aged from 2.5 to 6 years old, with plenty of spaces to explore and discover. Here, children drive their own learning, facilitated by our expert teaching team who use specific teaching practices and strategies to support and encourage positive learning opportunities for all children.

Once children turn 4, they join our Kārearea group where they embark on our specially designed transition to school programme. This includes regular school visits and our Perceptual Motor Programme (PMP) which strengthens the foundational skills needed for school. Meanwhile the remaining children in our Butterfly Room enjoy their own special Trail Blazers group where they have the chance to venture outside our centre on exciting excursions every third week.

Why choose us?

There are a host of reasons why families choose Little Wonders Cromwell. Here are just a few of them:

• Purpose built centre with large natural outdoor learning environments
• Professional, dedicated teachers
• Curriculum design incorporates all the principles and strands of New Zealand’s early childhood curriculum Te Whāriki
• Onsite cook creates three healthy meals a day plus late snack for children after 4.30pm
• Rito Healthy Heart award
• Specially designed transition to school programme
• Weekly excursions to support children’s interests
• Weekly bike days
• Special birthday and graduation celebrations
• Three separate learning environments that cater for children’s different ages and stages
• Strong collaborative relationships with parents and whānau