Learning Adventures Henderson

Welcome to Learning Adventures Henderson, a high quality, family orientated early childhood centre in the heart of Waitakere. Your little one will love our creative and vibrant environment, which provides endless opportunities for fun and learning. Inside we have dancing areas, art spaces and quieter areas for puzzles and reading – while our incredible outdoor areas feature huge sandpits, obstacle courses, fruit trees, gardens and plenty of open space for running and bike riding. 

Our child led curriculum gives plentiful opportunities for children to build on their interests and skills, and is delivered by dedicated, passionate teachers who love what they do. Prepare your child for success in this ever changing world. Start their journey at Learning Adventures Henderson.

Our philosophy

• At Learning Adventures Henderson we believe that respectful, responsive and reciprocal relationships are at the heart of early childhood education.
• We value a play based environment that encompasses and integrates all aspects of a child’s hauora (well-being).
• At our centre, children are taonga (treasures) who are inquisitive, unique and feel empowered to have an active role in their learning.
• They approach the world full of wonder through playful and imaginative ways. Children feel respected, a sense of manaakitanga (trust) and are supported to make positive choices.
• We are intentional teachers through our professional knowledge and understanding of the child to support and extend their interests and needs. 
• We are responsive to children through both spontaneous play and by planning for children individually. 
• We also allow children to lead their own learning and cherish their interests.
• To strengthen a sense of whanaungatanga (family connection) we develop trust and effectively use meaningful ways of communication with our whanau. 
• Through establishing these relationships we develop insight into the cultures, languages, beliefs, values and aspirations of our multi-cultural centre.
• Children develop aroha and appreciation for the environments that surround them. 
• Through showing respect to Papatūānuku we provide opportunities to create art with nature, be with nature and look after nature (kaitiakitanga).
• Our environments have spaces where children can explore freely, have some quiet time, construct, create and express their thoughts and ideas.

Our rooms

In order to provide the highest quality and most age appropriate learning experiences to all our children, Learning Adventures Henderson caters for three different age groups - under 2s, 2 and 3 year olds, and preschoolers.

Between 7:30 – 9:00 am, and 4:00 – 5:30 pm all age groups combine in the Pohutukawa Room, providing a great opportunity to develop and benefit from tuakana-teina relationships.

Puriri Room (Babies)

This safe and homely environment is where our youngest tamariki aged 1 – 2 can explore their surroundings, learn new skills and gain confidence. We have our own exclusive deck area with smaller obstacles, a sandpit and water trough play. We even have two art easels on the fence so we can take our art outdoors. Puriri Room children are also encouraged to explore larger obstacles under supervision and socialise with our older tamariki to foster tuakana-teina relationships.

On any given day in the Puriri Room, we explore art, books, music and movement, sensory experiences and most of all, developing communication and relationships. Our Kaiako (teachers) understand the importance of having a language rich environment where tamariki are safe to explore, learn and develop at their own pace and become confident and competent learners.

Pohutukawa Room (Toddlers)

Fully equipped for our busy 2 – 4 year olds, the Pohutukawa Room has a huge outdoor space with a sandpit, obstacle course, bikes and swings. In fact, some of our tamariki call it “the park”! Inside we have a variety of resources and activities that the tamariki can access themselves, encouraging great self-help skills and the ability to lead their own learning. Indoor highlights include our construction play area, science area, reading area and a family play area. Three tables are regularly set up with new experiences, including one which is dedicated to art projects.

Kauri Room (Preschool)

The inspiring and exciting Kauri Room is where you’ll find our 4 – 6 year olds. We have a great outdoor area, equipped with a large sandpit, water/messy play area, obstacle course, real grass and even our own orchard with fruit trees and plants. Our curriculum encourages self-help, independence, resilience and social competence through play, the environment, attitude and strategy building. We help children develop confidence around school readiness by having a regular lunchbox day, and encouraging children to take responsibility for the resources they use and for their shoes, bag, hat and drink bottle.

Why choose us?

There are a host of reasons why families choose Learning Adventures Henderson. Here are just a few of them

● Our teachers are caring and nurturing and we find ways to empower children to allow their learning to  blossom.

● Delicious, healthy meals are provided by onsite cook

● Our large outdoor spaces are an oasis of serenity, surrounded by nature.

● Our environment expresses children’s creativity and artistic endeavours.

● We support children with learning social and emotional skills needed in order to develop a strong, positive, sense of self.

● We have strong partnerships with our whānau, incorporating their aspirations and ideas into our centre.

● Transitions into the centre, within the centre and onto Primary school are important to us. We have great relationships with the local schools including Tirimoana.