Childcare options in Stanmore Bay

About the Educator:

Meet Sherri.

Sherri is a Home-Based Educator based in Stanmore Bay, Whangaparaoa. With two adult children, one of whom still lives at home, and two small older dogs, Sherri has been an Educator since 1998, starting when her first born was a baby. In her house, there’s a purpose-built room with a deck and outside area set up specifically for the children. Additionally, the dogs are kept separate from this area to maintain a distinct space for the children.

Watching children grow and develop in ability and confidence brings Sherri experiences immense joy. She deeply values the role she plays in supporting their development. Encouraging empathy and social skills in children is important to her.

Under her care, children learn to interact with their peers independently and are encouraged to ask for help when needed. Beyond the home, Sherri takes them out into the local community to enjoy the beautiful area they live in and to interact with other Educators.

Why choose Dream?

At Dream, we are passionate about children being cared for in a home environment. If you love Home-Based but don't want someone living in your home, like an Au Pair, and find that a Nanny is not affordable, then a Home-Based Educator may be the perfect option for you. As the premium agency offering Home-Based Childcare in Auckland, we prioritise the comfort and well-being of your child.

Our Dream Home-Based Educators provide nurturing care in their own homes. Accommodating a maximum of four children under six years old. Importantly, we limit the number of children under the age of two to two.

Why should I enroll my child in Home-Based Childcare?

Research shows that smaller group settings foster strong, responsive relationships among children, nurturing essential skills like sharing, trust, and kindness. With Home-Based Childcare, your child's routine seamlessly transitions into the Educator's home. This offers your child invaluable real-life experiences, from cooking and shopping to exploring parks, attending music classes, and more.

Furthermore, all our Educators follow the Dream Education Programme, ensuring a consistent and quality educational experience. It's worth noting that Dream Educator is licensed by the Ministry of Education, reflecting our commitment to meeting and exceeding educational standards.

Fees, Charges and Funding for Home-Based Childcare

Our Educators operate as Private Independent Contractors, setting their own fees and handling all financial arrangements with parents. Fees typically range from $9 to $12 per child, per hour, depending on experience, qualifications, location, and any optional extras provided. This flexibility in pricing allows families to choose a service that best fits their budget without compromising on quality or care.

Optional extras may include:

• Excursions and outings
• Transport pick ups/drop offs
• Sunscreen, food and nappies
• Specific teaching resources such as a dance or music teacher
• Extension programmes

20 Hours ECE

20 hours of ECE is available through our Dream Educators. This entitles every 3 and 4 year old child enrolled with a Dream Educator to receive up to 20 hours ECE education per week. As a parent/caregiver you may claim a maximum of 6 hours per day, and up to 20 hours per week across all services.

Children enrolled at more than one ECE Service

Parents are able to split their 20 ECE hours between two or more ECE services or kōhanga reo.

WINZ Subsidies

WINZ subsidies are available to those who are eligible.

Montessori Beginnings Preschool is a centre where children feel safe, loved, and empowered on their own individual learning journey.

Situated in a quiet residential street in the heart of Stanmore Bay, Whangaparāoa, Montessori Beginnings offers boutique, research-backed education for children aged two to six.

We believe in creating an environment where children can build their confidence, curiosity, and ability to focus and learn. Our small numbers and dedicated staff mean our centre has a warm, whānau-centred vibe, and children are empowered to discover and unlock their own unique potential.

Our preschool is a warm, happy environment where children can get stuck into the most important work of all, which we believe is play. Families choose Montessori Beginnings because they are looking for a small, caring centre where their child will be seen, noticed, and cherished.

Above all, the centre is designed with the hau ora (holistic wellbeing) of children in mind. It is an unhurried place, where children can relax, connect with others, and settle in to work and play.

A cornerstone of the Montessori educational philosophy is observing and noticing the traits, interests, and personality of each individual child, so that they can be encouraged and supported to take the next step in their learning – whatever that step may be. Our incredible teaching team are passionate about making those connections with children and taking time to discover the ideas and potential each child has.

Enrolment Promo - First 2 Months fees - FREE

Here at Pukeko ELC we provide a home away from home for children aged from three month’s to school age.

We ensure a safe, caring, respectful, fun, and natural environment with excellent qualified staff ratios.

Our aim is to nurture happy, confident, and curious learners and to install a life long love of learning within them.

Our Philosophy

At Pukeko ELC we are inspired and influenced by the Reggio Emilia and RIE approach. We believe it is important for Tamariki and their whanau to feel welcomed and develop a sense of belonging and Aroha through open and regular communication. Kaiako acknowledge and respect parent's aspirations for their child, and value community contributions to the planning and curriculum.

We strive to provide a nurturing, respectful, and caring environment rich in open-ended and intelligent resources. As part of our sustainable journey, we aim to be more eco-conscious and encourage children to build an appreciation for nature and papatūānuku. Our learning environment is intentionally designed to create a sense of wonder and curiosity so that Tamariki can be challenged, develop dispositions, problem-solve, and become capable and confident learners.

Our curriculum incorporates bicultural and multicultural experiences which acknowledge the partnership of Te Tiriti O Waitangi and values the unique place of Māori as tangata whenua of Aotearoa New Zealand. Te Reo and Tikanga are respectfully interwoven through our curriculum.

Learning is ignited for Tamariki when their interests are captured, supported, enhanced, and co-constructed by Kaiako who listen and follow each child's developmental needs. Kaiako respect that each child is unique and has the right to be an individual or to be a valued participant of a group.

At Pukeko ELC, we see all Tamariki as a taonga and want them to reach their fullest potential while developing a lifelong love for learning.

Reviewed September 2023 by our Kaiako.

We accept children for 20 hours free - For free - no extra cost

Our children have chances throughout the day to interact with each other from their two age defined rooms. The babies learn from the older children (tuakana-teina), and the older children enjoy knowing the younger ones are following their lead…..just like being in a large family. We treat the care routines as learning experiences, fostering the children’s independence as they learn and grow. 

We have a very spacious indoor area which we currently have divided into two areas – one for under 2s (Pipi) and one for over 2s (Paua). We have plenty of resources for the children’s age and developmental stages, with the resources available on the shelves for them to choose from, being rotated on a regular basis. Our lovely sunny outdoor area is also divided into two areas – one each for the Pipi and Paua, with sandpits, and climbing frames; resources, activities and experiences are rotated, and changed around, aligning with the children’s current interests. 

We offer age/developmentally appropriate activities and experiences throughout the day, following the childrens’ interests. 

We use Educa to provide online Portfolios to share snapshots of your child’s fun learning day with you, and we also print these as the children enjoy looking at their pictures, and being able to show you.

THIS CENTRE is CLOSED

We aim to provide enriched and challenging learning choices in a creative and nurturing environment, where each child shall experience a high level of personal success as a valued and respected individual.

Teachers

The teachers at Starfish Early Childhood Centre believe in providing an environment that is welcoming, safe, nurturing and stimulating to children and their parents/whanau within our community.

Each child is unique

We believe that all children are competent and capable learners who have naturally inquiring, questioning minds. We value their uniqueness and will treat them with dignity and respect. We provide a programme that recognises the holistic way children develop and learn. Children will have equitable opportunities to develop within a child-initiated environment that supports self-motivated learning and peer collaboration.

We acknowledge and respect parents/whanau as first teachers, and value their contribution in the well-being and education of their children. Parent/whanau participation and their voice (whanau korero) will be encouraged and welcomed.

Our early learning centre provides a loving, nurturing and stimulating environment which enables children to feel a sense of belonging, whilst they engage in meaningful play opportunities.

We established Muddy Toes Early Learning Centre to provide a warm, natural, safe and welcoming environment. Our centre is a small family run business which has been created with the help of our passionate Kaiako. We practice a forest-based philosophy.

We will provide a loving, nurturing and stimulating environment which will enable children to feel a sense of belonging, whilst they engage in meaningful play opportunities. Our centre is designed for play; we welcome “muddy play” and provide a natural environment for our tamariki to explore.

We will provide a loving, nurturing and stimulating environment which will enable children to feel a sense of belonging, whilst they engage in meaningful play opportunities.

Our centre is designed for play; we welcome “muddy play” and provide a natural environment for our tamariki to explore. We embrace Tangaroa, Papatunuku, Ranginui, Tawhirimatea and Tāne god of the forest.

M.U.D represents the core meaning behind our philosophy “make unique discoveries”. Our tamariki can make unique discoveries in our very own back yard, amongst nature.

We embrace the beautiful philosophical influences of Reggio Emillia and Montessori. Our overall learning objective is to let children lead us into a world of discovery. We encourage children to follow their own interests and take ownership of their learning.

This freedom of choice promotes self-esteem and encourages children to become capable, confident and independent learners. We encourage a love for learning and education.

In our view this means fun, laughter and love. We let your children lead the way and respond by extending on from each individual interest.

Relationships are our key to success! We base everything we do in the centre on respect; respect for ourselves, respect for others and respect for the environment.

Your children are on a journey so let’s make it fun while they learn!