Childcare options in Tinwald

Active Explorers Ashburton is a family-focussed centre where children are supported, nurtured and inspired. With three purpose built areas designed for specific ages, and two large outdoor environments, our children have plenty of opportunities for learning, exploration and growth. Our teachers are passionate and dedicated – over 90 percent of them are qualified or teachers in training, and they’re supported by long-term teacher aides. This, combined with our well thought our curriculum and quality resources, enables us to provide the best possible care for your child.

At Active Explorers Ashburton we collaborate closely with parents to ensure the best learning outcomes for all children, and we have an open door policy. Come and explore our centre any time. We look forward to welcoming you!

Our philosophy

Ā mātou kete aronui

We share in the lives of our children, their families and their whakapapa and become a link in their present, future and past. Our own wairua enriches our teaching and learning, sharing ako through all we do.

Our aroha with tamariki has its own wairua, giving life to the hopes, dreams and empowerment of our learners, each other and our community.

The individuality of our tamariki, their whanau, community and teaching team is embraced. We nourish, connect and care which uplifts and cherishes all for who they are today.

We give and share from a perspective of relational connectedness, Āta. Understanding that everything we do, see, experience and have is an opportunity to grow and learn.

Our wairua is unique and strong, our tamariki are treasured and loved, our Kaiako are passionate and connected, our community is at the heart of all we do.

We have three purpose built areas which focus on age appropriate experiences.

The Nursery/Kohanga

This environment is perfect for children aged 3 months to 2 years as our Kohanga provides loving, caring and compassionate teaching in a calm and peaceful environment. Our Kaiako are all certified with Early Childhood qualifications and have great love and passion for the foundation years for our youngest pepe- we know the value of consistent, calm and quality relationships in this age group.  Equipment in this area is designed for our specific children and we aspire to challenge and inspire their developing skills and dispositions through careful individual planning woven in collaboration with the child and their wider community.

Our Nursery values and beliefs/Philosophy

Whānaungatanga is at the heart of our philosophy. Creating an environment that is inviting, safe and respectful.

We share with our whānau to create authentic partnerships that align both with home and centre philosophy.

Manaakitanga is shared as we welcome all children and whānau into our kōhanga and care for their well-being and wairua.

Ako is valued through providing encouragement, guidance, and support. Empowering the tamariki to explore freely, develop confidence, a sense of self worth and identity. We provide a curriculum that celebrates each child’s uniqueness alongside enjoyable learning experiences suited to each child’s needs and development.

We believe each child is special and have the right to be nurtured, respected and empowered.

Stepping Stones/Pohatu tunga waewae

This room nourishes our tamariki ages 2 -3.5 years. Here we continue to build strong relationships with children, so they feel comfortable exploring their environment, learning with and alongside their Kaiako and peers and develop further curiosity and thirst for learning.  We really value this age group for their inquisitive minds and ability to take on deeper and more complex discovery and learning.   We also understand that this age group still requires a lot of support to encourage their independence and social skills, therefore we keep this group size small and with higher than average adult to child ratios. Children in this environment share their natural curiosity and thirst for knowledge, and play is extended through individual planning and care.

Our Pohatu tunga waewae values and beliefs/Philosophy

Whanaungatanga and Manaakitanga are the values we use to support tamariki to thrive and succeed.

Warm, secure, and respectful relationships with whānau, kaiāko and tamariki are the key to all success.

Every child is unique and therefore we provide practices which are inclusive and invite everyone with aroha into our environment.

Ako is valued collectively as we learn together empowering us and our children to succeed in a environment which is stimulating for our physical, mental, social and emotional needs.

Why choose us?

• Quality education and care
• We shape our curriculum to follow our children’s current interests
• Regular excursions in our local community
• Close connections to community events and happenings
• Regular celebrations and family events
• Large outdoor areas including a community garden which the children grow and share their produce in our community
• Multicultural environment with families from all over the world
• Strong bi cultural practice with connections to our local community whakapapa
• Dancing, music and yoga are embedded into our programmes
• Regular cooking and baking to explore our senses, sometimes using our centre grown vegetables
• Established and experienced team
• Healthy Heart Whanau award
• Age and developmental programmes including 4 year old extension times, targeted physical play and core learning programmes
• Quality ratios empowering meaningful interactions

We are a group of well-established, non-profit, professional kindergartens based in the Ashburton community, offering education for 2-6 year olds.  

We maintain a high-quality programme, which is taught by professional teachers, ably supported by a Kindergarten Manager and Board.  

Your children will benefit from a wealth of educational and play resources, whilst in a safe and secure, clean and comfortable environment.  

We promote high self-esteem and confidence – happy children bring happy parents and families. We believe children do their greatest amount of learning through play.  

Our professional teachers are all qualified in Early Childhood Education. They extend your child’s thinking and choices through individual programme plans and provide an educational environment and appropriate resources to support your child’s learning needs.

Our preschool provides a stimulating environment where children can be children with lots of learning through play.  Through planning and programme development we ensure that the children learn to their full potential and are encouraged to use their imagination, problem solving and negotiation skills.

Tiddlywinks Preschool Under Twos (0-2 years)

Tiddlywinks Preschool provides a nurturing and supportive environment for our littlest people. The caring nature of the teachers allows the children to grow and develop at their own pace as they explore the natural environment and resources available to them. We strive to build strong relationships between the Kaiako and the tamariki so that when whānau leave their children in our care they are assured that they are in a loving, caring and respectful environment where their emotional needs are met. We have a strong nature based philosophy where the children are able to experience the natural environment through textures, sounds and sight whether it be enjoying the feel of the grass in the outdoor area or feeding the birds in the trees. We understand that each child has their own special personality which is nurtured as they develop and grow.

Tiddlywinks Preschool Over Twos (2-5 years)

The Over Two’s at Tiddlywinks Preschool is full of enthusiastic and passionate teachers that aim to make the most of these important years. This area allows tamariki to experience the environment around them in a safe and supportive way through a range of domains. They can develop their independence and individuality whilst knowing that they have the support and guidance of a teacher at every step. The tamariki experience our natural environment through walks to the forest and the local park where they can let their imaginations do the talking! The relationships that develop between kaiako (teachers), tamariki (children) and whānau (families) are invaluable and we strive to build strong bonds that will endeavour to help achieve our goal of our tamariki becoming confident, competent learners whilst still being able to have fun and enjoy themselves.

Our Philosophy

WHAT'S OUR GOAL

At Tiddlywinks Preschool we aim to provide a nurturing, fun, relaxed environment for children to learn in and where whānau are welcome. Having an environment where children are relaxed and able to have fun and learn enables children to become confident and capable learners. We want children to leave the centre to go to school with the skills needed to achieve and succeed.

We will make nature and the natural world an everyday part of our centre programme and environment.

We will be an active part of the community through outings, walks around the neighbourhood and to the ‘forest’ as well as having visitors to the centre. We will encourage the children to learn about, respect and take care of the environment.

We will have a motivated and passionate team of teachers who complement each other and who enjoy their work and enjoy being part of the team. Teachers will talk with parents/whānau regarding their children’s progress and development through profile books, notice board displays and conveying relevant information on a daily basis.

The daily programme and curriculum at Tiddlywinks Preschool will support children’s cultural and spiritual beliefs, encourage further understanding and respect for other cultures in New Zealand. It will also be linked to the principles, strands and goals of Te Whāriki, the Early Childhood Curriculum Document. All policies and practices in the centre will reflect the dual cultural heritage of the partners of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.