Childcare options in Carterton

Why Choose Carterton Preschool?

• Family and community focused.
• High teacher child ratio.
• Qualified passionate registered teachers.
• Our programme incorporates Te Whāriki (Early childhood curriculum) and is educationally focused, stimulating and enjoyable.
• Family Group Teacher system.
• Educa online portfolios.
• We provide morning and afternoon tea and encourage a healthy eating environment and culture in our Preschool.
• Strong links to local schools.
• A unique transition to school programme and holiday programme.
• Clear consistent boundaries to support children’s development.
• A bright cheerful well resourced environment.
• Environmental focus, including, climbing trees, mud pit, willow hut, worm farm, and vegetable garden and weekly trips to the Mangatarere stream.
• A large interesting and challenging natural outside play area with covered outside space.

Preschool Philosophy

Carterton Preschool is committed to working with parents and whānau to keep children safe, physically and emotionally, in a secure and healthy environment.

We provide a programme that is a balance of free play and set activities, all of which are enjoyable, fun and creative.

By building children’s confidence and self esteem, we support the wonderful learning journey which prepares children for their transition to school, and we equip them with skills for life-long social and educational success.

South End Kindergarten is a small, friendly kindergarten, located in the grounds of a Primary School which also has a Montessori unit. We have strong partnerships with these schools and other schools in this close community.     We offer a fun, educational environment that will encourage and support children’s learning and development, as well as nurture the mana of each child in partnership with parents/whanau.     

Concepts of literacy and numeracy are incorporated into planned and spontaneous activities.     

The kindergarten upholds core values of Pono – Integrity, Atawhai – Caring, Manaaki – Respect and Tautoko – Support. These are evident in our everyday interactions and activities, and are aimed at supporting the children’s growing social competence.    

 Beautiful spaces are a feature of our environment with plenty of room for children to play, learn and explore indoors and out. We value healthy practices and promote an appreciation for the natural environment as we plant, cultivate and harvest our own vegetables, fruit and flowers.  

We are inspired by and embrace diverse cultures, and we honour our bi-cultural heritage by incorporating Te Reo and Tikanga Maori throughout our curriculum.     

Parents and caregivers are invited to participate fully in the life of the kindergarten, and this involvement is recognised as vital to each child’s success and achievement in life-long learning.

Why Carterton Preschool Littlies?

• Specialised Centre for children 0-3 years
• High Teacher/Child ratios.
• Under 2 year olds: 1 Teacher per 4 children
• 2-3 year olds: 1 Teacher per 6 children
• Outings into the community
• Separate areas for infants & toddlers
• Primary Caregiving:
• one Teacher focuses on all of your child’s care moments.
• Wonderful passionate, dedicated and Qualified Teachers
• Online portfolios using Educa
• Natural calm surroundings
• Nurturing and respectful environment
• Encouraging self-help skills and independence
• Family focused & flexible

Littlies Philosophy

Carterton Preschool Littlies is committed to provide the highest quality care for children within a caring and nurturing environment.

We recognise that children’s emotional security is paramount and that this directly affects their learning and development. We strive to maintain a natural, peaceful and unhurried environment.

We believe in the bi-cultural practices of Aotearoa New Zealand, and endeavor to ensure all children and their whānau are welcomed here.

At Littlies we believe that effective teamwork in a respectful environment with good communication ensures children will develop secure attachments.

Promoting Freedom of Movement and working within a Primary Caregiving structure provides experiences that encourages the development of the individual child at their pace as they extend their understanding of themselves and the world around them. Professional Development ensures positive effective outcomes for children.

We value the importance of transitioning into Littlies, between the under-2s and over-2s, and then onto Preschool.

Involvement of families and community, including local trips, provides opportunities for children to go out into our community and become familiar with their local area.

Just Us Kids is a privately owned early learning service centrally located in Carterton. It is licensed for a maximum of 34 children up to five years of age, including 10 up to the age of two.

The centre philosophy promotes New Zealand/Aotearoa’s bicultural heritage, acknowledges Te Tiriti o Waitangi and supports children’s holistic development within an inclusive environment.

Taku kuru pounamu.

My precious treasure.

Our tamariki are the taonga gifted to us by our tupuna. They are our hope for the future and we believe that we cannot view our tamariki as separate from their whanau, hapu and iwi or from the environment which we are all a part of.

By putting whanau and Te Ao Maori at the heart of our curriculum, He Pounamu Early Nurture will provide a nurturing, supportive and culturally inclusive environment, led by this whakatauki, which places such importance on our youngest of citizens; our mokopuna/tamariki.

“Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu.“

Although it is small, it is a treasure.

Nurturing our tamariki, within a pedagogy of aroha, means that we respect and listen; we follow individual rhythms and urges; we uphold their mana; we educate in meaningful and relevant ways; and we protect them as the precious taonga that they are.

Nurturing our whānau means that we wrap the whānau in a korowai of aroha. We understand that the whānau are the ones who know their tamariki best. They bring their culture, beliefs and values to us; they share their taonga with us; and it is our responsibility to include and welcome them. We actively acknowledge our own cultural lens in order to allow the lens and perspective of our whānau to be considered and embraced.

Nurturing te taiao means we are constantly challenging practices towards a deep and genuine love for our world. We align with te Ao Māori ways of being, to connect to Papatūānuku, and understand our role as environmentalists, our impact as consumers, and our agency here in Aotearoa, and globally.

Kaupapa Whakahaere

Mana Tāngata – Caring for ourselves.

Kaitiakitanga mō te Taiao – Caring for the environment.

Manaakitanga mō Tātou – Caring for others.