Bush Babies Childcare

Connecting children with nature through Bush Babies childcare.

We are a nature-based preschool with daily trips into nature. We follow a play-based emergent curriculum where nature is our primary provocation – the bush feeds our curriculum. We have access to acres of our very own trees & paddocks, providing your child with an endless route for exploration and the opportunity to foster a positive relationship with the earth and a love towards healthy living. 

Our emphasis is on nature as a vast and wonderful classroom, encouraging empathy and respect to all living things through relationships and connections to Papatūānuku (Mother Earth).

Te Tiriti o Waitangi : We acknowledge, respect and promote the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and ensure our tamariki experience an environment that values and promotes Te Ao Māori. At Bush Babies Childcare we welcome, value and respect the diversity within our centre regardless of ethnicity, culture, socio-economic status or gender differences.

Relationships/ Ngā Hononga : We believe that Ngā Hononga / Relationships are the foundations for all learning; where respectful, reciprocal,   honest and trusting relationships create a sense of well-being, a strong positive identity, self-esteem and confidence to climb the tallest mountain. Through free-play and intentional teaching, tamariki learn both independently and alongside their peers and teachers. We value and practice Tuakana-Teina and the notion of interdependence.

Whakamana / Empowerment : We value learning dispositions such as curiosity, imagination, creativity and perseverance. Whakamana/Empowerment sees tamariki initiate and lead their own learning, accept leadership and responsibility. 

Whānau Tangata / Family and Community : We recognise and value Whānau Tangata / Family and Community as experts and as partners in the nurturing of tamariki. We support the cultural capital of tamariki and their whānau and endeavour to incorporate family perspectives and expertise into the curriculum.