Childcare options in Auckland Cbd

Our childcare centres have been specially developed for the busy families living, working or studying in the central city.  We cater to families that live permanently in our neighborhood, visit daily from the suburbs or visit for short periods from out of town.  Our services have become a central feature in the local community where families feel welcome, safe and respected.  We can accept all children under the age of 6; regardless of immigration status.

Healthy nutrition is an important aspect of child development and well-being.  All child enrollments, regardless of age or booking type, receive our meal plan as part of our normal service.   Our childcare centres have qualified chefs that prepare meals daily from fresh ingredients.  We recognize individual child dietary requirements as well as cultural requirements for the diverse range of cultures we represent.  We develop a seasonal menu on a four week rotating cycle to ensure meals are varied and nutritious.   

Child Advocacy, Care and Education are the cornerstone philosophies of our centre.  

Everything we do, every resource we provide, every relationship we foster and every decision we make contributes toward these objectives.  We are dedicated to acting in the child’s interests in all matters including those of an educational, social and safety nature.  We recognize that meaningful relationships are a key to a child’s education and development, underwritten by an appreciation of the wealth of cultures within our surrounding community.  

Multiculturalism is embedded within our Centre as we celebrate all cultural backgrounds to meet the needs of our Tamariki and Whanau.  We believe that cultural diversity enriches our knowledge and widens our professional perspectives and practices.  We welcome families to talk about their cultural values so that teaching staff can weave them into our curriculum and programme planning.  We strongly believe that children and families benefit from our multicultural setting, as children will grow with awareness and the capability to empathise with the needs of our growing multicultural society. Through an atmosphere of love and security, in which children feel valued, confident and safe, we believe that multiculturalism will foster healthy, optimistic attitudes; giving a balanced perspective on life. 

We believe in the importance of the family and strengthening the bonds of the family unit through a partnership between home and the Centre. Our goal is for an environment of open communication where whanau and caregivers feel comfortable discussing their hopes, joys, aspirations and concerns for children.  We believe that everyone has a voice and can contribute toward the stimulating discourse of Centre affairs.   Families are welcomed into the centre at any time of the day and are encouraged to stay and interact with their child whenever possible. 

Our curriculum is based on Te Whariki resulting in the outcomes of knowledge, skills and attitudes that combine together to form tamariki working theories and develop dispositions that encourage learning.  We seek to empower tamariki to grow as competent and confident learners and communicators who have a sense of belonging and know that they make a valued contribution to our Centre, whanau and tangata/community.  Children at our centre are taught morals and values in the curriculum.  This means an emphasis is placed on the importance of respect, acceptance, learning good manners, ethical behaviours and politeness.  Our curriculum is focused on being child-centred and is built on the learning that takes place in the family, community and the wider world.  We believe there are multiple pathways to a successful child learning experience originating from the child’s interest.  We place great importance on children’s learning through play, recognizing specific interests, strengths and abilities. As teachers we provide for children the love of learning, making their journey exciting and challenging for them to thrive now and for the rest of their lives. 

To uphold the centre spirit, staff work together as a happy and professional team.  As staff we celebrate each other’s differences and contributions through open communication, being supportive and respectful while accepting challenge.  We see it as our responsibility to create an environment which upholds the bicultural heritage of New Zealand and the principles of partnership inherent in Te Tiriti o Waitangi.  We celebrate a rich environment where languages, rituals and symbols of children’s own and other cultures are promoted and protected. To remain current in early childhood theory and practice, staff actively participate in continuing education to ensure an optimum learning experience for each child.

Our eco-friendly ethos and love for nature organically evolves through our daily rituals. The space lends itself to joyful, meaningful learning experiences. Nestled in the heart of Aucklands CBD, it truly is an oasis that must be seen to be believed.

Honeybees Preschool is inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy. It is a sanctuary where we encompass warm professionalism, mindful rituals, foster exploration of our richly resourced environment, and nurture your child’s learning, development and individuality. We are enriched by the diverse culture, heritage, language and identity within our Honeybees community, together we create an atmosphere and environment that feels like home.

Honeybees is a place that provokes creativity, fun and learning in a Reggio inspired and eco friendly environment, focusing on natural materials and organically evolving experiences. A space where we view children as confident, capable learners; where passionate qualified teachers support and enable children to learn alongside one another; and where children are encouraged to explore their richly resourced environment in a meaningful context. Above all we will treasure every moment of each child’s journey as they develop and grow; learning about their world, sharing in the magic and wonder, and making happy memories.

Our philosophy

The Reggio approach to early childhood education has attracted international attention and numerous awards celebrating its success, due to its holistic, naturally evolving approach.

At the core of this philosophy is a view that children are endowed with “a hundred languages”, through which they can express their ideas. The aim of the Reggio approach is to help children explore these symbolic languages and to ensure the magic of play, imagination and sensory exploration is their foundation.

The philosophy is based on principles of respect, responsibility and community, effected through creativity and curiosity in a supportive and enriching environment, and driven by the interests of the children. It is an approach that focuses on a childs natural development, and is directed by the childs interests, taking the view that learning must make sense to the child in order to be effective and meaningful. 

Ko ia mokopuna te hihiringa o te ao - Every child is potentially the light of the world.

The Symonds St team welcome you into our centre family, a place of fun and learning for your children, and support for you while you work or study at the University of Auckland.

Symonds St has a stable teaching team of qualified and dedicated professionals from diverse backgrounds. We are privileged to have a wide range of nationalities represented by the children enrolled in our centre; such diversity is a constant source of learning and celebration for us all.

Our practice is based on the Principles of Te Whāriki, as well as the ideas and inspiration we gain from current research and our own on-going studies. We regard holistic development as paramount for each child’s well-being.

The children’s whānau are welcome to visit our centre whenever they wish. By building these relationships of trust, we are able to work in each child’s best interests and to enhance her/his sense of self as being ‘capable and confident’.

Ngā mihinui ki a koe mō te rau mai I tō tamaiti, ki te hono mai a whānau ki te whānau o Hineteiwaiwa Te Kōhanga Reo. Tēnā rawa atu koe. 

Hineteiwaiwa Te Kōhanga Reo is a Marae-based Kōhanga under the auspices of Waipapa Marae and caters to ngā hau e whā. 

It provides studying parents with a Māori alternative for the care and protection of their tamariki. This option has been embraced passionately by predominantly Māori parents wanting their children to learn and grow in a tikanga Māori environment. 

Hineteiwaiwa was started by the University for the benefit of its students although non-studying parents as well as non-Māori parents can apply for their children to attend.

It was established by the Tari Māori and continues to get tangible support from the department. Hineteiwaiwa operates under the Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust Charter Policy and is fully supported by the University of Auckland. 

Commitment to the kaupapa of Te Kōhanga Reo Hineteiwaiwa Te Kōhanga Reo Whānau are committed to the kaupapa of Te Kōhanga Reo as set out in the Korowai document. 

Hineteiwaiwa is based in the rohe of Ngāti Whātua and recognises their special status as Tāngata Whenua. It is also a pan-tribal Kōhanga Reo catering to the needs of students and working parents from throughout the Motu as well as being from other ethnic backgrounds. To this effect, all children will be required to learn their own Pepeha/Whakapapa. 

Hineteiwaiwa will access the support of whānau, hapu, iwi and the TKR National Trust to maintain the integrity of the Kaupapa of Te Kōhanga Reo. 

Ngā Tāngata Āwhina me ngā Rauemi Tautoko: 
Hineteiwaiwa has access resources including: 
a strong whānau base which incorporates the skills of a number of young professionals

• a quality, experienced head kaiako a committed staff who love working with Ngā Kōhungahunga me tōna whānau kia
• piki te ora tinana me te reo hoki access to the University’s support structures for its childcare facilities as well as its student support mechanisms
• TKR National Trust resources support. 
• Morimoria a Tātou tamariki ko rātou hoki te iwi mō āpopo (Nurture our tamariki for they are our future generation)

Te Kōhanga Reo

The kōhanga reo movement is a unique initiative based on total immersion in Māori language and values with the aim of passing on Māori culture to future generations.

Kōhanga reo emphasise the revitalisation of the culture through te reo Māori and are dependent on the active participation of the whole whānau. The kaupapa of kōhanga reo aims to strengthen whānau capabilities in cultural, social, economic, spiritual and political matters. Education, health and wellbeing are inherent within all aspects of the kaupapa. The prime focus is the whānau – its collective development, growth, accountability and wellbeing set within a Māori cultural context.

Kōhanga reo do not regard tamariki in isolation, but as important members of the whānau. The kōhanga reo philosophy is that tamariki will benefit when whānau successfully operate according to the kaupapa. Tamariki are an integral part of whānau development.

The following key goals are the foundation of te kōhanga reo kaupapa established in 1982:

• total immersion in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga in daily operations
• whānau decision-making, management and responsibility
• accountability
• health and wellbeing of mokopuna and whānau.

The key goals of te kōhanga reo assure that there will be:

• security in te reo Māori
• a supportive, caring environment for mokopuna
• whānau (collective) sharing of responsibilities, knowledge and expertise
• greater respect and appreciation of each other.