Childcare options in Mount Albert

Ferndale Kindergarten is situated in the park-like grounds of Ferndale House, Mount Albert.

The Kindergarten has a great local community feel to it.  We are extremely fortunate with all the support and involvement we receive from our parents and whanau.  We believe the kindergarten is very much about community partnership and collaboration.  The teaching team see learning as fun, playful and rich with opportunities for children to explore, interact and engage. As co-constructors of children’s learning we aim to observe, support and extend children’s thinking through enquiry and encouragement.

The children at Ferndale Kindergarten move on to schools in the local area.  These schools include Gladstone Primary, Marist Primary and other local primary schools.

Kohikohia ngã kãkano, whakaritea te pãrekereke, kia puãwai ngã hua

Gather the seeds, prepare the seedbed carefully, and you will be gifted with abundance of food.

Our learning philosophy

For the past 110 years, the Auckland Kindergarten Association has been igniting young minds by encouraging them to explore their imaginations through play. For many of us, kindergarten was where we began our life of learning; it was where we started learning skills like sharing, tolerance, patience, respect and self-confidence.

We view children as capable, competent, life-long learners, and our philosophy encourages children to make their own learning choices, problem-solve and observe and explore at their own pace…with support from teachers, parents, wider whānau and their peers. We value the importance of child-initiated, play-based experiences. Our kindergarten teachers nurture your children’s interests and natural curiosity by working alongside them, expanding language and introducing mathematical and science concepts, as well as literacy, digital technology and sustainable practices.

Our centres have gardens and natural outdoor spaces where children can create, explore, be imaginative and expressive. There’s plenty of room to safely run about, being imaginative and physically active. In fact, the natural world is essential to free-range play. AKA encourages each kindergarten community to explore and enrich their diversity and uniqueness. Some have regular excursions into the local community; some are Enviroschool kindergartens that live and breathe sustainable practices; while others engage in long-term research on child interest-based programmes of learning.

As an organisation, we formally acknowledge the dual heritage of Aotearoa / New Zealand, and work to uphold the spirit and intent of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in each kindergarten. We are accessible, secular and welcoming to the wide diversity of tamariki and whānau who attend our centres, and value ongoing partnerships between teaching teams and leadership staff with families and whānau. We value ongoing learning for teachers, parents and whānau, and the sharing of knowledge, skills and attributes is fundamental to achieving the best learning outcomes for children. Teachers and staff can access collegial professional time to ensure that quality practice is enhanced so current theories of learning and development within New Zealand’s world-class Te Whāriki early childhood curriculum are shared and understood.

Children learn

Children in our kindergartens have the opportunity to:

• Feel confident, develop responsibility and a sense of independence
• Play meaningfully alongside other children and adults
• Develop effective communication skills
• Persevere, problem-solve and take risks
• Explore limits, boundaries, routines and conflict resolution strategies
• Practice fine motor skills such as threading, writing, cutting and grasping
• Develop gross motor play such as physical games like climbing, throwing, kicking, balancing and lifting
• Develop creative expressions through painting, music, collage, movement, dance, finger-painting, drawing, cutting, pasting and story sharing
• Develop early numeracy, literacy and science skills
• Learn techniques through trial and error
• Explore the world through experimenting, questioning and curiosity
• Develop confidence and celebrate both attempts and successes
• Develop a passion for learning and a love of life
• Have fun!

Older children will be supported in their transition to school to make this process as simple and seamless as possible. Book a visit here on Kindello today, we’d love to meet you.

Our friendly and approachable teachers invite you to come and see our modern learning facility and expansive outdoor area which supports learning and exploration.

Your children will become part of our sustainability focus and incorporate that to their daily lives. Morningside Kindergarten is a Silver Enviroschool kindergarten.

We are a diverse, multicultural team that has blended together and working towards building strong relationships, not just with our whānau/families but with our extended Morningside community.

Being in the grounds of Mt. Albert Primary, our older children have the opportunity to visit the school regularly making transition to school an easier process.

Our learning philosophy

For the past 110 years, the Auckland Kindergarten Association has been igniting young minds by encouraging them to explore their imaginations through play. For many of us, kindergarten was where we began our life of learning; it was where we started learning skills like sharing, tolerance, patience, respect and self-confidence.

We view children as capable, competent, life-long learners, and our philosophy encourages children to make their own learning choices, problem-solve and observe and explore at their own pace…with support from teachers, parents, wider whānau and their peers. We value the importance of child-initiated, play-based experiences. Our kindergarten teachers nurture your children’s interests and natural curiosity by working alongside them, expanding language and introducing mathematical and science concepts, as well as literacy, digital technology and sustainable practices.

Our centres have gardens and natural outdoor spaces where children can create, explore, be imaginative and expressive. There’s plenty of room to safely run about, being imaginative and physically active. In fact, the natural world is essential to free-range play. AKA encourages each kindergarten community to explore and enrich their diversity and uniqueness. Some have regular excursions into the local community; some are Enviroschool kindergartens that live and breathe sustainable practices; while others engage in long-term research on child interest-based programmes of learning.

As an organisation, we formally acknowledge the dual heritage of Aotearoa / New Zealand, and work to uphold the spirit and intent of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in each kindergarten. We are accessible, secular and welcoming to the wide diversity of tamariki and whānau who attend our centres, and value ongoing partnerships between teaching teams and leadership staff with families and whānau. We value ongoing learning for teachers, parents and whānau, and the sharing of knowledge, skills and attributes is fundamental to achieving the best learning outcomes for children. Teachers and staff can access collegial professional time to ensure that quality practice is enhanced so current theories of learning and development within New Zealand’s world-class Te Whāriki early childhood curriculum are shared and understood.

Children learn

Children in our kindergartens have the opportunity to:

• Feel confident, develop responsibility and a sense of independence
• Play meaningfully alongside other children and adults
• Develop effective communication skills
• Persevere, problem-solve and take risks
• Explore limits, boundaries, routines and conflict resolution strategies
• Practice fine motor skills such as threading, writing, cutting and grasping
• Develop gross motor play such as physical games like climbing, throwing, kicking, balancing and lifting
• Develop creative expressions through painting, music, collage, movement, dance, finger-painting, drawing, cutting, pasting and story sharing
• Develop early numeracy, literacy and science skills
• Learn techniques through trial and error
• Explore the world through experimenting, questioning and curiosity
• Develop confidence and celebrate both attempts and successes
• Develop a passion for learning and a love of life
• Have fun!

Older children will be supported in their transition to school to make this process as simple and seamless as possible. Book a visit here on Kindello today, we’d love to meet you.

Mt Albert Kindergarten is a multi-cultural kindergarten that has a learning environment which is well-organised, inviting and challenging for children.

The children at Mt Albert Kindergarten are happy, confident and play collaboratively together.

Our experienced and dedicated teaching team work alongside children to enhance teachable moments.

At Mt Albert Kindergarten, the children also benefit from regular community visitors who offer children opportunities to broaden their cultural awareness and develop new skills – for example, artists, puppeteers, dancers and musicians.

Our kindergartens have early childhood qualified and registered teachers. The teachers are dedicated to, and passionate about, early childhood education.  Each kindergarten has a head teacher plus teachers and support staff.  Quality learning programmes are based on the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum, Te Whãriki.

Our learning philosophy

For the past 110 years, the Auckland Kindergarten Association has been igniting young minds by encouraging them to explore their imaginations through play. For many of us, kindergarten was where we began our life of learning; it was where we started learning skills like sharing, tolerance, patience, respect and self-confidence.

We view children as capable, competent, life-long learners, and our philosophy encourages children to make their own learning choices, problem-solve and observe and explore at their own pace…with support from teachers, parents, wider whānau and their peers. We value the importance of child-initiated, play-based experiences. Our kindergarten teachers nurture your children’s interests and natural curiosity by working alongside them, expanding language and introducing mathematical and science concepts, as well as literacy, digital technology and sustainable practices.

Our centres have gardens and natural outdoor spaces where children can create, explore, be imaginative and expressive. There’s plenty of room to safely run about, being imaginative and physically active. In fact, the natural world is essential to free-range play. AKA encourages each kindergarten community to explore and enrich their diversity and uniqueness. Some have regular excursions into the local community; some are Enviroschool kindergartens that live and breathe sustainable practices; while others engage in long-term research on child interest-based programmes of learning.

As an organisation, we formally acknowledge the dual heritage of Aotearoa / New Zealand, and work to uphold the spirit and intent of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in each kindergarten. We are accessible, secular and welcoming to the wide diversity of tamariki and whānau who attend our centres, and value ongoing partnerships between teaching teams and leadership staff with families and whānau. We value ongoing learning for teachers, parents and whānau, and the sharing of knowledge, skills and attributes is fundamental to achieving the best learning outcomes for children. Teachers and staff can access collegial professional time to ensure that quality practice is enhanced so current theories of learning and development within New Zealand’s world-class Te Whāriki early childhood curriculum are shared and understood.

Children learn

Children in our kindergartens have the opportunity to:

• Feel confident, develop responsibility and a sense of independence
• Play meaningfully alongside other children and adults
• Develop effective communication skills
• Persevere, problem-solve and take risks
• Explore limits, boundaries, routines and conflict resolution strategies
• Practice fine motor skills such as threading, writing, cutting and grasping
• Develop gross motor play such as physical games like climbing, throwing, kicking, balancing and lifting
• Develop creative expressions through painting, music, collage, movement, dance, finger-painting, drawing, cutting, pasting and story sharing
• Develop early numeracy, literacy and science skills
• Learn techniques through trial and error
• Explore the world through experimenting, questioning and curiosity
• Develop confidence and celebrate both attempts and successes
• Develop a passion for learning and a love of life
• Have fun!

Older children will be supported in their transition to school to make this process as simple and seamless as possible. Book a visit here on Kindello today, we’d love to meet you.

Welcome to Lollipops Mount Albert, a warm, welcoming and nurturing early childhood centre that offers a home away from home for local children. Purpose built, with inspiring and innovative indoor and outdoor spaces, our centre is the ideal place to begin your little one’s learning journey.

Our passionate and professional teaching staff love what they do, and help each child tap into their own unique potential. Well resourced, with an enriching curriculum, we offer the highest quality care and education.

Our philosophy

We believe respectful relationships form the basis of high quality care and education and give children a sense of security and belonging. We regard the environment as the third teacher for tamariki and strive to purposefully provide an environment that is enriching, beautiful, interesting, and challenging so tamariki are stimulated to create and work collaboratively with others.

We acknowledge our bicultural heritage and the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and endeavour to work in partnerships with tamariki and whanau . We seek guidance from and follow Te Whariki and respect our tamariki as capable  learners

Our rooms

Lollipops Mt Albert has two separate houses, enabling us to deliver safe, nurturing and age appropriate learning experiences for all our children.

Tiny Tui House

This is where our toddlers and babies thrive. Our baby’s room is shoe free, clean, comfortable and safe. The toddler’s area is arranged cleverly for children to move around safely and easily spot resources and explore them.

Kind Kea House

This inviting and welcoming space caters for our preschoolers, with plentiful resources and learning opportunities to keep them engaged and inspired. 

Why choose us?

There are a host of reasons why families choose Lollipops Mt Albert. Here are just a few of them:

• Quality equipment and resources
• Inviting, cosy, clean environment inside and out
• Home away from home for children
• Parents/whanau are welcomed and embraced
• Dedicated, professional staff
• Multicultural
• Reggio inspired
• Healthy lunch for toddlers provided
• Great transition to school programme
• We celebrate and embrace other cultures

Our team of dedicated teachers provide the  highest quality care and education,  delivering rich and inspiring learning experiences and environments that bring out the best in every child. Unlock your child’s unique potential.

Little Pearls are not for profit community established childcare centres, delivering a warm, nurturing, safe and affordable home-like environment, striving for high quality care and education services for children aged 3 months to 5 years old in Owairaka / Mt Albert and Puketapapa / Mt Roskill.

Our Mt Albert centre is open each weekday, from 7.30am until 6.00pm

At Little Pearls, we are compassionate and passionate about children. We recognise the importance of play, using spontaneous and planned moments to build upon a child’s existing knowledge and skills to enhance their learning.

Our centre has a full time on-site chef who provides nutritious and delicious meals to satisfy any little taste buds. Children are provided with hot meals at lunch time and fresh baking in the mornings and afternoons, not to mention fresh and dried fruit. We are part of Heart Foundation reward programme and following their advice accordingly.

We value the partnership we have with the parent/whanau as we work together with you to care for, train, build character, and prepare children for life. We celebrate parent and Whanau involvement through Parent-Teacher Meetings, Family Whanau Days, Dinners, and Seminars.

We are proud of and have confidence in our dedicated and professional teachers, who enable us to provide excellent programs for your child here at Little Pearls.

Our Rooms

Infant Room

Adult Child Ratio no more than 1: 3 to 4

Our infant room caters for children 3 months to 2 years old providing the highest quality care in a nurturing “home-like” environment. Whilst in our care, children are stimulated with engaging activities as they learn through exploration and play.

Respect is the basis of Little Pearls Approach. We not only respect babies, we demonstrate our respect every time we interact with them. Respecting a child means treating even the youngest infant as a unique human being, not as an object.

Developmental goals and objectives for children in the infant room are supported by Little Pearls designed programs which includes Pikler, RIE philosophies, Schema concept, and Te Whāriki (ECE Curriculum of NZ).

Toddler Room

Adult Child Ratio no more than 1:6 to 7

Our toddlers’ room caters for children who are 2 years to 3.5 years old. At this age, children are meeting new challenges and learn best in a stimulating environment.

Our qualified Educators help facilitate learning and discovery through interest based activities which encourage investigation and exploration.

Developmental goals and objectives for children in the toddlers’ room are supported by Little Pearls designed programs and Te Whāriki (ECE Curriculum of NZ).

Preschooler Room

Adult Child Ratio no more than 1:7 to 8

Our preschool room caters for children who are 3.5 years to 5 years old. Our preschool program is conducted by qualified educators, maintaining the value of play and focus on learning as it best suits the individual child.

We take an enthusiastic approach designed to motivate the children in a fun and exciting way to learn some very important skills to assist each child to transition to school successfully.

Developmental goals and objectives for children in the preschool room are supported by Little Pearls designed programs and Te Whāriki (ECE Curriculum of NZ).

Nau mai, haere mai and welcome to Mt Albert Playcentre

Playcentre is unlike any other early childhood education organisation. At Playcentre, both children and their parents / caregivers attend.

At Playcentre children get the opportunity to learn and explore in a fun and safe environment.

The curiosity and creativity of our tamariki is nurtured in a way that allows them to learn about themselves and their world.

Your child will be given a chance to explore, create, climb, read, sing, experiment, play music, wear costumes, have their face painted (or do it themselves!), garden, do carpentry with real tools, bake and cook, build sandcastles, swing, slide, dance, spend time in nature and get messy.

The activities change every day. Playcentre parents all bring different skills, interests, and cultural backgrounds to add to the rich learning environment.

We welcome families with children aged 0 – 6 years. Mixed age play allows your children to engage with others older and younger than themselves. Pre-schoolers learn how to communicate, share and negotiate with empathy for their younger peers.

At Playcentre, families come together and lifelong friendships are formed.

We welcome you to visit any time during the year. You are entitled to three free visits so come and check out what we do – we would love to meet you and your family!

We are situated right next to Mount Albert railway station, convenient for parents who commute into or out of the city.  The centre is less than 10 mins walk from Unitec.  It is also well located for parents dropping older children at Gladstone Primary School.

Our centre features three spacious rooms: one for infants and toddlers, one for children aged between 2 years and 3.5yrs, and one for children aged 3.5 and over.  These ages are a guide only, as we respond to the child's developmental needs rather than arbitrary age-based teaching segments.  Each room also has a dedicated, BIG outdoor playground with age-appropriate equipment for children.Our centre cook provides healthy and appealing lunches and snacks for all age groups from our kitchen.  Vegetarian and halal meals are part of our daily menu.

We extend these relationships to include Papatuanuku, our Unitec whanau, and respect for all who walk with us. Kaiako are attuned to, and respond sensitively to, the needs, drives and ways of learning for tamariki, providing opportunities to develop confidence to try new things, persist and allow curiosity and free expression to be part of their every day. Intentional teaching allows kaiako to seek deeper connections and an understanding of our tamariki and their whanau, so they are listened to and know they lead their own learning journey.

Our lovely childcare centre is located in Mount Albert and is close to UNITEC, Gladstone Primary, Owairaka Primary, Mt Albert Primary, and Mt Albert Train Station.

At the Learning Corner, we constantly strive to make your child’s experience with us some of the best years of their life. That means, supporting them so they feel cared for, are nourished, physically, socially, intellectually, and emotionally so they may grow to their full potential and really live life. Your child is more than just a number to us.

We like to take the time to get to know not just your child but you as well if you have time to chat so that you’re constantly informed. We’re also connected/ linked to the local primary Schools so that what is taught at ‘The Learning Corner’ blends seamlessly with what they’ll be taught in years 1 and 2 at primary school.

We provide full daycare as well as casual/part-time or half-day sessions. All at affordable discounted prices. We offer 20 ECE hours subsidy for over 3-year-olds as well as WINZ support for all ages. Feel free to give us a call for more information. All in all, we believe we offer a superior experience for your children. Give us a call and find out more.

Nau mai, Haere mai to Kids Forever Christian Preschool.

We are a wonderful local early childhood centre, serving our Mt Albert community for over 29 years, we are a genuine non-profit charitable organization and our complete focus is on nurturing, caring, and educating children, never as a money-making venture or big business model.  Our whole purpose of existing is to provide outstanding care and education, to be a unique out-of-home experience, to share the love of God, and to be a blessing to families – we are here to help you! Being non-profit also means we are a very well-resourced centre, as anything earned is invested back into the centre.

Our centre may look small from the outside but once you step through our doors, you’ll see how huge and beautiful it is – it’s a hidden gem! We have a huge, adventure-filled all-weather, covered play area out back, real grass play areas, places to climb and hide, bike tracks, vegetable gardens, a guinea pig hutch, and a massive sandpit… we could go on!

We provide convenient hours for working families, open from 8 am to 4:30 pm Mon – Fri.

Our day 

We place a high value on learning and believe that the deepest learning occurs within a flexible and responsive environment. For this reason our days are adjusted to accommodate the interests and needs of the community and of individuals. 

Infant Toddler room

Teachers are responsive to the interests, strengths and needs of the children and provide a mix of planned and spontaneous experiences indoors and outdoors. 

Information from home and the daily needs of individual children guide routines such as breastfeeding/bottles, meal times, sleeps and nappy changing.

Young children

Most of our day is flexible so that children and teachers are free to explore planned and spontaneous experiences indoors and outdoors. Children are expected to help with tidying when they leave an area and before mat time (about 11.30am). Mat time emerges from the interests of all children. Younger children usually join mat time for a short period while older children are encouraged to stay for longer periods to engage in topics and projects of particular interest to them. Children sit together to eat lunch but may leave as soon as they have finished. Sleep, toileting and nappy changing routines are based on the needs of children and information from families. Morning and afternoon tea is provided for extended periods and children sit to eat when they are ready.

Our philosophy

Tamariki have the right to:

• a peaceful, safe, secure, healthy, socially just, environmentally sustainable present and future
• respect, unconditional love/aroha and an early childhood education which recognises them as active citizens and as active participants with rights and responsibilities
• understand their own heritage and culture within the bicultural heritage of Aotearoa/Nu Tireni/New Zealand.

Tamariki and their whānau and families have the right to:

• full participation and to achievement irrespective of ethnicity, gender, ability or background
• express who they are and be affirmed as an individual and as part of a community free from discrimination, assumptions or stereotypes.

We are located in a lovely sunny house conversion, with a very large grassy outdoor area which has several established trees, great for both shade and fresh fruit.

As a “home away from home”, we prepare your child emotionally, intellectually and socially for the future. We have a qualified close-knit team of nurturing and professional staff who collaborate with parents, caregivers and whanau to care for, and meet the needs of the tamariki

Our programme is based around the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum, Te Whariki, and ensures that the full potential of your child is reached in a relaxed and an adaptable environment. The curriculum gives us the flexibility to follow on from the children’s current interests, which empowers them to share more about their lives with us.

We acknowledge and celebrate the diversity of our community and embrace the different ethnic, linguistic and socio-cultural backgrounds from which our children come

Bambinos is owned and operated by the Grgicevich family who has been involved in professional childcare for the last 30 years.

Bambinos purpose built childcare centres have been developed based on the principles of running a home away from home, providing a loving and caring environment as well as offering the best early child care and education for young children.

We aim to please and hope to meet the needs of all the families and children in our care.

We encourage you to get to know us. It is only after you have met our fully committed team and have an understanding of the facilities we offer that you will see the importance we place on your child and their future learning. Give us a call and make a time to come down and visit the centre.

Bambinos is committed to providing you and your child with the very best early childcare education. We’re delighted that you are considering Bambinos for the education and day care of your child.   

MARC Early Learning Centre is a not-for-profit, community-based early childhood education service located on Mt Albert Rd. We are on the grounds of the Mt Albert Research Centre, which houses Plant & Food Research and ESR.

The original centre was a converted house which gives it a homely air. We were founded by parents who worked at the Research Centre when it was known as the DSIR. The centre was originally called MiniMARC but changed its name in 2013 when we expanded to keep up with demand for our services.

We continue to have a high level of parent involvement in running the centre. The centre is governed by a committee of parents and staff who meet monthly.

CENTRE PHILOSOPHY

There are a number of aspects which inform our teaching style and shape who we are as a centre:

COMMUNITY

Relationships are important between teachers, children, families and our community. Children learn about their wider community by taking trips to local libraries, galleries, museums, as well as by welcoming visitors. We want children to know about their community and enjoy a sense of belonging within it.

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability is an important part of our practice and something the children enjoy being involved in. We help children learn about their environment by taking walks and trips (to the Plant & Food orchard and fields, as well as local mountains, parks, beaches etc.). We want children to develop respect for each other and the world around them.