Childcare options in Cambridge

Creating Lifelong Learners

Tamariki natural curiosity is the foundation for exploration and growth. They explore to make sense of the world, develop and have fun. Tamariki start their lives by exploring the world around them. They learn through everything they see, touch, hear, smell, taste and do.

Through play, nga tamariki engage in active learning and exploration. They learn more about their interests and about the world. Most importantly, they learn how to adapt to a changing world. Play helps us remain creative and provokes our imagination.

Our People

Our team at Kids at Home is a dedicated team of individuals who have been chosen for their commitment to provide quality, educational in-home childcare. Kids at Home’s management team also consists of experienced Early childhood professionals and others who have worked within other roles in ECE for many years. We are proud of our positive workplace culture which can be felt as soon as you walk through our office doors!

Playgroups

Playgroup provides your child with a rich learning setting that encourages your child to build a foundation for future learning. Our groups provide your child with the opportunity to mix and make lifelong friends with other tamariki

Music Groups

Music groups provide your child the opportunity to participate in singing, dancing and experiment with musical instruments.

Music is an important part of any child care program. Listening to music, singing, playing musical instruments, and moving to music are all activities that support tamariki development.

Outings and Excursions

Visiting Teachers plan trips to events or places of interest in the community such as fire stations, the zoo, museum, parks etc. (Whanau and friends are welcome to attend).

High Standard of Care

Our Teachers and Educators pride themselves on the quality of care and education each child receives.

We do not limit ourselves to one teaching method or philosophy because we understand that your child is unique. We believe that each child has their own learning style and personality.

Kids at Home’s Visiting Teachers are fully qualified and certificated ECE Teachers with a current practicing certificate from the Teaching Council; our handpicked Teachers have many years of experience and expertise between them.

Kids at Home’s Visiting Teachers support Educators with regular visits and planning for education and development of tamariki.

Welcome to Go Bananas Childcare!

Leaving a child with a childcare facility is an important decision. For most of the children, it marks the first time they will be away from their parents for a long period of time. We are delighted that you are considering our services as an integral part of your child’s upbringing. We are committed to providing the best quality care and education for children from 3 months to 6 years old.

Research shows a child’s first five years are critical to all future learning and development as their brains develop most rapidly during this time. By age three a child’s brain has already developed to 80% of its adult size with brain connections formed through the interactions, experiences, and relationships the child makes. The quality of these interactions, experiences, and relationships is crucial and that is why a child’s involvement in a quality early learning program is so important.

Why Choose Us

• Provide indoor and outdoor educational spaces which are age-appropriate and designed to engage and support children to discover, grow and learn.
• Offer children the experiences to support their cognitive, emotional and physical development.
• Plan from each child’s individual interests, we aim to work alongside their interest, making them to be creative, curious and confident to develop positive and lasting relationships with their peers.
• Promote the very best practices to nurture children’s well-being and support them to fulfil their potential.
• Partner with families to ensure our children feel a sense of belonging.
• Acknowledge and respect the diversity of our families and communities in which they reside.
• Have educators, teachers, and leaders who are passionate, dedicated and they support and celebrate each child’s individual talents and strengths through meaningful interactions, experiences, and relationships.

Welcome to Educare Treetown

Educare Tree Town provides a "child centred"play environment where children are encouraged to be problem solvers and explorers. Our programme is play based with an emphasis on incorporating numeracy and literacy in meaningful ways to children.

Our preschool supports children to develop the foundation skills needed to be successful at school and has a school readiness programme to support children in their transition to school.

A primary caregiving system is in place to support infants and toddlers to develop secure attachments with a consistent and responsive caregiver.

We have highly skilled, experienced and qualified kaiako who support and guide children's social and emotional competence. We understand and acknowledge validating children's emotions is the most respectful and effective way to guide children as they learn how to interact and behave with others.

We incorporate the virtues programme to encourage children to take responsibility for their own actions. This programme is also used in our local schools.

Whānau and the local community is important to us. Educare Tree Town welcomes all whānau at any time. We encourage Whānau participation and contribution to our centre and curriculum.

Our location borders 19 hectares of recreational space including two wetland areas with a large playground, both walking and cycle tracks which we make use of as we explore our wider environment. With the St Kilda retirement village just down the road, Grow have a programme where our little ones and members of the retirement community spend regular time together. We have established connections for second language learning, swimming lessons and access to the best in technology advances appropriate for supporting preschool learning.

Our purpose built learning areas at Grow are reflective of the high standard of living maintained at St Kilda, Cambridge (including sustainability principles such as using solar energy.) Our playrooms have been designed to support age/stage development for infants, toddlers and young children with interconnected options for working independently or together. Our soft furnishings provide a modern, homely feel that promotes taking pride and ownership of our environment. We support New Zealand owned and operated when sourcing resources with a large portion handcrafted from local providers.

Grow's own outdoor environment ties exisiting elements together with a consistent, natural theme reflective of the wider quality environment at St Kilda, Cambridge. Our playground incorporates bike tracks, swings, a stage, cubby houses, fireman's pole, slide and rock climbing wall, messy kitchens, mud pit, raised veggie gardens, chalkboards, large sandpits and a dry riverbed with water play. As children advance through their education at Grow, they experience new and varied challenges. There's lots to explore with pine and macrocarpa towers/platforms/playhuts that introduce a sense of height to an otherwise flat area providing many opportunities for imaginative play and physical challenges.

We are a new purpose built Early Childhood Centre located in a new subdivision in Cambridge. 

Our learning areas in our building reflect the developmental stages and ages of the children. We have carefully sourced all our resources for the rooms, to ensure many opportunities for open ended play, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematical (STEM) activities, creative arts, imaginative play and teacher guided resources. Outside, our natural playground has been designed to give the children at our Cambridge kindy the opportunity to explore, create and to challenge themselves on changeable movable equipment.

We are more than a daycare or childcare, we offer a high quality, semi structured, educational programme for children 0-6 years. Our programme reflects our passion for learning by empowering young children’s minds. We understand and promote the importance of supporting children with the necessary skills to enhance their personal development as they embark on their individual learning journey.

We are so excited to be able to offer families of Cambridge a different childcare or daycare option.  One that is unique and different  which will inspire and motivate your little ones.

We know how hard it is to choose an Early Childhood centre for your child.  As parents, this can be such a daunting experience, to trust other people with your little ones. We too found this hard for the little ones in our family. We searched for an educational centre that would meet all our inspirations as parents for our own little people, but found this very difficult. We then decided to utilise our own extensive experience in both Early Childhood and Primary education to create and design our own unique, educational learning centre for our little people and the little people in Cambridge.

Little Thinkers kindergarten in Cambridge has been a journey for us, two years in the making. It is not a standard daycare, childcare or preschool, we are so much more.  For every decision we have made on this journey, it has been a decision made from the heart – to be able to provide the best we possibly can. We wanted this to be the perfect kindy for little people.  A place that has structure and is creative and inspires the love of learning in each child. A place that has a balance of fun, laughter,  play, creative arts and a genuine focus on literacy and numeracy whilst also embracing children’s play and supporting exploration and curiosity. A place where we celebrate children’s learning. A place which has friendly, happy, passionate and welcoming teachers who have a genuine love for children and their learning outcomes. We wanted to make the decision easy for parents to choose the right childcare or daycare centre, knowing that their child is safe, happy and learning in an inspirational environment.   We wanted to remove any fear you may have and replace this with feelings of security and fun. We want to keep parents informed of their child’s journey, so we ensure that the partnership between the teaching staff and parents is an open, warm  relationship, sharing information both ways.

We just cannot wait to meet and support your little ones to flourish and to reach their full potential.

Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Ko Utu is a centre-based kōhanga reo located in Rotorua and provides for up to 22 tamariki. Book a visit today to connect with our kōhanga reo and to learn more about the options for your whanau.

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.

Cambridge Playcentre’s philosophy: 

Families and children creating a community, while learning together through play, in a safe, positive, supportive and stimulating environment. 

What makes Cambridge Playcentre special?

It is a place where parents are involved in their children’s learning. We cater for children from birth to school age. We are a parent co-operative where parents plan and run the sessions and the centre. There are 16 areas of play available at each session, including music and movement, water and messy play, playdough, paint etc. It provides parents as well as children, with life skills such as confidence, communication, leadership and education opportunities. A portfolio is provided where you can include photos, art work and stories to record your child’s Playcentre experience. There is a minimum ratio of one adult to five children over two years of age and one adult to three children under two years of age. Playcentre offers free education to empower parents.

Kotahi te kākano, he nui ngā hua o te rākau

We provide for children between four months to 3 years of age in a tranquil Montessori environment. This will be prepared to maximise sensory experiences, encourage motor development through a variety of activities, nurturing a language rich culture, guided by experienced, caring and empathic Montessori teachers, who carefully build trusting and caring relationships, enabling families and children to feel a strong sense of family and community.

A tree comes from one seed but bears many fruit.

It is with great excitement and joy we offer our purposefully prepared environment for under threes - Magnolia Montessori.

The building is situated around the back of Taylor St Montessori which can be accessed by entering the car park and continuing around the back of the large building where we are located at the far left.

The children attending Magnolia includes a range of ages, and each child’s individual rhythm will be taken into consideration when eating, sleeping, exploring and discovering or simply needing time to rest and observe.

Transition both into and out of Magnolia is led by the child, in collaboration with families and Kaiako. Visits begin accompanied by a family member, gradually having short times by themselves to becoming a contented and confident class member. The same child led process occurs when moving to the older environment next door. The transition can occur any time between 2 and 3 years of age when the child shows readiness for the next step. We consult with families throughout and once again, a family member accompanies their child on those beginning visits.

The range of ages carries through in all Montessori classrooms, tuakana teina is evident throughout, older children teaching younger children and learning to respect and support each other like family life. Within our Magnolia environment we have a divided classroom whereby the needs, safety and developmental challenges are met for both babies and toddlers alike. We share other times in the day, such as music, sleep or kai times and when venturing outside. Our outdoor environment is very flat and spacious and is shared by both age groups, providing a space which fosters and develops skills at each child’s pace.

Cambridge Kindergartens Waikato is an established, modernized facility providing children with opportunities to develop skills for life. It has a large playground, surrounded by mature trees and native planting. In this well resourced, rich, natural environment children are provided with challenge and adventure, and have space to learn, grow, explore, experiment and have fun.

Cambridge Kindergartens Waikato is well-respected for providing high quality, affordable (cheap!) education and childcare in Cambridge.

• Warm & welcoming staff who are passionate about teaching and learning.
• Safe, caring and stimulating environment.
• Well resourced and huge outdoor play area.
• Children develop social interaction and respect.
• Private online learning portfolios for parents (sharing photos, videos and stories about your child).
• An exclusive early childhood partnership with the Enviroschools Programme (eg. recycling, composting, gardening).
• In Partnership with Sports Waikato Under5 Energize to eat healthy, be active & have fun!
• Learning based on the NZ Early Childhood Curriculum, Te Whāriki.
• Value family/whānau and kindergarten partnership.
• Transition to school programme.

Our qualified staff carefully plan programmes that fulfil the early childhood curriculum. We aim to ensure children are competent, confident and successful learners. Children will learn and develop:

• A strong foundation in reading, writing and maths
• Art, creativity, music and dance skills
• An understanding of sustainability and their environment
• The importance of New Zealand's heritage
• Social skills, behaviour management and manners
• Self confidence
• Learning skills such as independence, creativity and curiosity
• Friendships that may last throughout their schooling
• Relationships with consistent, familiar teachers
• To understand and operate within a structured routine

Teachers provide learning extensions that prepare you child for school which include numeracy & numbers, literacy & language, nature & science, computers & technology, puzzles & games, creative arts, sand & water play, trips, transition to school programme, child friendships… and more!

Children work together at mat time to share daily information, stories, songs, movement, drama & waiata, etc.

We aim to provide a wonderful first preschool for your child. By providing within the framework of Montessori and Te Whariki Curricula, a nurturing, peaceful, and respectful learning environment, progressing seamlessly from young baby to young adult. 

Your child will discover a prepared environment guided by Montessori philosophy where an incredible journey begins, a learning path to strengthen and enhance their individual strengths, interests, and needs. 

We offer an excellent teacher: child ratio, 1:8. Our dedicated, experienced and highly qualified Montessori teachers are passionate about Montessori education and commit fully to ensuring that each child reaches their full potential. Cambridge Montessori Preschool forms the hub of a vibrant, supportive Montessori community. Social events include whanau kai nights, children’s concert every term, grandparents’ days, family days, and pet days. Parent/teacher meetings can be requested at any time with a Lead Teacher. Contact Sophie for a friendly, welcoming look around.

At Cambridge Montessori Preschool we encourage self-confidence, self-discipline, and independence to prepare our children to be responsible members of the global community.

Our teams are well established ECE teachers who have vast knowledge and experience in the industry and are supported by our strong Team Leaders. Our focus is to develop and maintain positive relationships with kaiako, tamariki, whanau and the wider community.

Our Philosophy

At Bunnies we recognise and respect each tamaiti as an individual, with their own interests, needs and cultural backgrounds; supporting and encouraging them to be competent and confident learners. Whānaungatanga with each tamaiti, their whānau and the wider community are recognised, reciprocal and respectful. We provide a purpose built, rich learning environment that is safe, inclusive, responsive and empowering.

Te Kōhanga Reo o Kemureti is a centre-based kōhanga reo located in Cambridge and provides for up to 24 tamariki. Book a visit today to connect with our kōhanga reo and to learn more about the options for your whanau.

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.