Childcare options in Swanson

At Farm Friends, we believe that our tamariki are unique and capable beings who can show us what is important to them through being given time and space to explore, discover and create. Our curriculum and environment provide children with opportunities to build strong and respectful relationships and learn alongside both kaiako (teachers) and other tamariki. Rangatiratanga (the right to exercise autonomy, ownership, and authority) is strongly advocated for our tamariki ensuring their right to explore social skills, problem-solving and develop independence at their own pace.

Kaiako role model social skills and values such as manaakitanga (kindness, empathy and care for others) while treating tamariki with respect and dignity. We believe our role as kaiako is to work in partnership with tamariki and their families, responding to the varied interests of both groups and individuals. These observations are shared with tamariki and whānau,  we then use these collaborative conversations to inform our flexible curriculum and program planning.

Nature and our own connection to the earth is a huge part of Farm Friends. While exploring our natural environment tamariki embark on endless opportunities to develop self-awareness/risk management and learn how to explore safely through taking calculated risks. Through their exploration of our natural (10acre) playscape tamariki embark on real life, authentic and unhurried experiences to develop aroha, respect and empathy for the earth and share a deep and spiritual connection to their land (Wairuatanga). This connection leads to an understanding of how to care for Papatūānuku (Kaitiakitanga) to be advocates and guardians for her and her children (all creatures big and small). Together we discover how to make sustainable choices,  preserving the wonders of nature for both ourselves and future generations to come.

We revere the role of whānau as children's first teachers and encourage whānau to become active members of our community, sharing with us their own knowledge and experiences. Whanaunatanga (partnerships with whānau and our community) are essential and influential to a child’s own sense of belonging to our learning community. Strong connections between whānau and Farm Friends show tamariki that they belong here, their whānau belong here and we are their home away from home.

Pineapples Early Learning Centre (previously Kids Express Kindy) was established in 2003. In June 2018, Amy and her family purchased the centre, with the continued desire to create a family orientated centre with the wonderful feel that Yvonne & Marjan and their team worked so hard to create over the 15 years that they were here. We continue to strive everyday to meet the unique needs of the community and to offer high quality educational experiences for tamariki aged 3 months to 5 years in a caring and fun environment. We are proud of the team we have build, which still includes some of the originals from Kids Express and we are very proud that we are consistently recommended by schools, whānau and our community.

Over this time we have developed an outstanding reputation for developing children’s interests in learning and establishing a solid foundation in learning enquiry, literacy and numeracy.

At Pineapples Early Learning we provide over and above the required child / teacher ratios. The staff are the strength of our centre and we are a unique close working and supportive team, that are highly experienced and qualified.

We offer a mix of sessional and day care options with children bringing their own food for meal breaks and developing the social and independence skills to prepare them for school life.