Olive Shoots Early Childhood Centre

to create a learning space of excellence where children, their families and the teachers can belong, believe, discover and grow. Our purpose built centre is situated on the campus of Laidlaw College, Henderson, and provides care and education for the children of students undertaking courses of study at Laidlaw College, for the children of staff at Laidlaw College and for children from the wider community. We have excellent ratios and an educational curriculum that reflects our special character. We offer 20 hours of free ECE per week to all 3 and 4 year-olds.

Programme and Philosophy 

At Olive Shoots we welcome children and their families into our centre where we aim to create a safe, inviting and inclusive environment. We believe that family/whanau, the centre and the wider community all have a vital role in a child’s growth and development. We acknowledge that the intellectual, emotional, social, physical and spiritual aspects of our lives are interrelated and influenced by each other. We are committed to integrating our Christian values and principals with Te Whaariki, New Zealand’s Early Childhood Curriculum. We endeavour to grow in our understanding and commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi. From this foundation we provide a curriculum which is primarily child initiated, developmentally appropriate and based on play. We embrace the concept of ako wherein the teaching and learning relationship, the teacher and child are seen as co-learners. Therefore teachers regularly engage in professional development to be informed by current research and ongoing self review. 

We believe that family and whanau are a valuable part of a child’s life and teachers will work in respectful partnership with them to ensure positive outcomes for their children. Families and whanau are encouraged to participate in our programme. We plan for children’s individual learning pathways and interests by providing a variety of experiences using a range of teaching strategies. We will provide a well resourced, stimulating and challenging learning environment which encourages children’s interests and strengths to be supported and developed. Children are empowered to make choices, gain confidence, build strong reciprocal relationship and to become confident and competent learners. Through their relationships with teachers and as they explore their environment, children gain an understanding of God’s love, His awesome creation, the Bible and how special they are to Him. Olive Shoots is an integral part of the Laidlaw College Community and recognises and respects both the bicultural commitment of the College and the multicultural diversity of the wider community.