Riverside Educare

Welcome to Riverside Educare!

Riverside is a community for families, of families, where tamariki come first. Nestled in the heart of Albert Town, Riverside is a place where small steps become leaps and bounds for tamariki. Encouraged to explore the world around them, children are empowered to discover a unique sense of self through bundles of aroha, free play, and curiosity.

Our role is to nurture their hauora, their wellbeing, and empower them to grow and learn through discovery. From reading books and playing on the playground to exciting excursions, no two days at Riverside are the same—and they’re designed that way to engage tamariki.

Our Vision

Empowering tamariki to seek wonder, problem solve, and  build relationships so they develop a steadfast sense of  self.

Our Mission

Nurturing hauora tamariki through a co-created foundation of exploration, aroha, curiosity, joy, and imaginative play.

At Riverside, tamariki are treasured as the unique spirits they are, and our team wholeheartedly believe in building a space for them to thrive, grow, and succeed in. Your pēpi are cherished in a home away from home by kaiako who build connections with each and every family; discover the sense of belonging and whanaungatanga you’ve been searching for within our Early Childhood Centre in Wānaka.

Our Philosophy

At Riverside Educare, we cherish both our bicultural heritage and the multicultural tapestry of our local community, which guides our approach in everything we do.

Our core values revolve around fostering respectful and meaningful relationships with tamariki and whānau.
Our team of friendly, empathetic, and passionate kaiako places a strong emphasis on authentic partnerships and continuous growth through professional development. Within our nurturing environment, we prioritise our tamariki having freedom to engage in spontaneous play and treasure the learning opportunities presented by rituals, routines, and one-on-one interactions. Authentic teaching and purposeful learning environments are cornerstones of our philosophy, encouraging active participation.

Our spacious playgrounds promote physical challenges and risk-taking within a safe space. Moreover, our kaiako love for the outdoors and nature enriches our teaching and learning experiences, both within Riverside and in the surrounding community.

Outdoor Play

At Riverside, we have a profound commitment to outdoor play, regardless of the weather. Nature exploration and outdoor adventures are deeply embedded in our identity and values.
Our expansive grounds offer endless opportunities for exploration and play. Children can enjoy large sandpits, an all-weather track perfect for bike rides, and even a mini 'mountain' and 'stream' that invite them into the magical world of mud play, digging, and water adventures. Riverside's outdoor playground sets us apart from the rest. It's thoughtfully designed with separate spaces for infants and a sprawling shared area for toddlers and preschoolers. We're dedicated to fostering both physical development and imagination in our children, and this outdoor wonderland is where it all comes to life.

Excursions

At Riverside, we cherish the chance to take our tamariki on exciting excursions and delve into the wonders of our local community. Our little adventurers find immense joy in exploring the treasures our beautiful region has to offer.
Every week, our Kea and Kahu tamariki embark on nature exploration journeys as part of our Kanuka Kids program (Mini Kanuka Kids for our Kea room!). These outings provide a wonderful opportunity for our tamariki to connect with their environment, uncover local stories, and experience moments of pure wonder.

Connection

At Riverside, our heart lies in cultivating warm, trusting relationships that underpin everything we do. In an environment where respect, care, and free exploration reign, children learn and grow at their own rhythm. Inspired by Te Whariki 2017, we guide our tamariki to become assured learners and communicators, rooted in a strong sense of belonging. It’s within this secure embrace that our children are truly ready to learn and thrive.