Childcare options in Tinwald

Where curiosity is encouraged, creativity is celebrated, and every day is an adventure!

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 Administrator.

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.

Welcome to Active Explorers Ashburton, where children are cared for and inspired through a blend of play-based learning and intentional teaching. We offer quality education and childcare for infants, toddlers, and young children in a safe, engaging environment that feels like a second home.

About Active Explorers Ashburton

At Active Explorers Ashburton, we focus on creating a place where children feel secure, confident, and excited to learn. Our teaching is guided by each child’s stage of development, helping them grow through hands-on experiences and meaningful connections.

The centre is full of natural light and surrounded by large outdoor spaces with trees and gardens that invite exploration. Located in the heart of Ashburton, we’re part of a vibrant community and close to the beautiful Ashburton River and Canterbury Plains.

Children are grouped by age to ensure their experiences are just right for their stage. We have separate rooms for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Every day brings new opportunities for learning, from baking and storytelling to cultural celebrations, music, and exciting excursions out in the community.

Our Rooms

Our centre feels warm and welcoming, with open, sunny rooms and large outdoor areas filled with nature. Each space is designed to suit the age and stage of the children in it, offering comfort, inspiration, and room to explore and grow.

Nursery (0-2 years)

The nursery is calm, cosy, and filled with natural light. Our youngest tamariki enjoy a peaceful space with nurturing routines, lots of cuddles, and gentle sensory play. Outside, there’s a big leafy area where little ones can safely explore the world around them.

Stepping Stones Room (2-3.5 years)

This is a space for curious toddlers on the move. Everything is set up at their level to encourage hands-on discovery, sensory play, and independence. There’s always something new to explore, whether it's a texture, a sound, or a new way to play with friends.

Extension Room (3.5 - 5 years)

This bright and busy space helps children get ready for school through a mix of creative, social, and learning activities. With group times, storytelling, puzzles, and plenty of play, children are supported to become confident, capable learners with a strong sense of belonging.

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.