Childcare options in Bishopdale

Looking for safe, loving childcare in Bishopdale?

You’ll find it at our safe, welcoming early childhood centre, where we put our hearts into everything we do. Our dedicated team, led by our committed Centre Director, Samantha Littlejohn, will give your little one the loving, responsive care you want for them.

Our strong parent partnership makes your life even easier through our convenient city location, with easy pick-ups and drop-offs. We offer enrolment options that include both full time, and part time care and education, so building the life you want for your child has never been simpler.

We are conveniently located for families in Sawyers, Casebrook, Harewood, Northcote, Airport, and Redwood.

Why choose our centre?

Our early childhood centre, here at Bishopdale has been providing safe, loving care and learning since 2009. We care for children from infancy until they’re ready to leave our care for primary school. Your little one will be cherished among tamariki of a similar age and stage of development, in rooms specially designed to provide the nurturing care, imaginative learning and social opportunities best suited to their individual needs.

At Kindercare Bishopdale, we have a strong connection to the community through local trips, school visits, and visitors from our surrounding area. Our centre also celebrates the biculturalism of New Zealand and has a weekly kapa haka, where the whole centre gets together to sing songs and dance. You’ll be invited to our parent evenings which are held throughout the year— to update you about your child's progress and development. We also love celebrations so throughout the year, we’ll make the most of those special moments in life as well as celebrating cultural events. 

Little Blue Penguin has two locations in Christchurch. Little Blue Penguin Bishopdale - 68 Farrington Ave, and Little Blue Penguin Prestons - 408 Prestons Road. Both centres are owner-operated and provide a lovely home away from home environment for tamariki; where children, educators, parents, whānau and leaders will collaborate to co-design an exceptional programme with the same goal in mind: children who are comfortable in their surroundings, happy in their play and confident in their learning.

As Christchurch-based mums, passionate early childhood educators, and keen researchers we have a vision to create truly exceptional and unique learning spaces for children to learn, grow, discover and develop in natural, home away from home settings. Because of our dedication to early childhood advocacy, supportive learning communities and continual improvement, we decided that the best option is to create our very own evidence-based preschool and nurserys.

Little Blue Penguin is dedicated to quality care and meeting the needs of each child and their whānau. This is achieved through our evidence-based and holistic approach to teaching and learning, as well as our core values: calmness, closeness, consistency, curiosity and confidence.

Knowing each child, their whānau (who they are and where they come from) is crucial to the success of the programme, and in order to truly implement a holistic approach Little Blue Penguin will provide nutritious home-cooked meals for children; caring for the children’s well-being first and foremost.

At our centres, we employ a primary caregiving system known as the Key Kaiako approach. This approach ensures that each child has a designated Key Kaiako or pair of Key Kaiako to provide consistent support for their learning and developmental needs. By establishing this bond, we foster a sense of security and trust, enabling tamariki to feel confident in forming relationships and exploring their environment. This approach allows for personalised attention and care, creating a nurturing environment where every child can thrive.

Our children, parents and whanau come first and we strive to provide a welcoming, supportive and loving environment for all. We offer high teacher to child ratios with a fun, experienced and passionate team of early childhood teachers.

Our Nursery is licensed for 10 children under two years old, and our Preschool for up to 30 children. Our children are empowered to take risks, explore and develop their sense of belonging while making use of our spacious indoor and outdoor facilities.

Our Philosophy

Our Core Purpose

Investing in the Next Generation

Our Values

Caring, Respect, Responsibility and Honesty

Tamariki – Children

• Through strong relationships and whānaungatanga (being able to relate to others), tamariki develop a sense of belonging and they feel safe, secure and confident in their tuhura (discovery) of the world around them.
• Through scaffolding tamariki independence via a wide range of activities and experiences, tamariki develop rangatiratanga (the ability to manage oneself) and their hauora (mind, body and spirit).
• E whakapono ana mātau ki te mana, ki te miharo a te tamaiti, ki a tātau tamariki – We believe in the power and wonder of the child, our tamariki.

Whānaungatanga – Partnerships

• We value parents and whānau as first teachers of their tamariki and respect their beliefs, culture and aspirations.
• We see the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and what this partnership means.
• Through strong, reciprocal relationships and mana reo (communication) with whānau and tamariki, we support the development of manawaroa (resilience) and whakaoti rapanga (problem solving) for all tamariki.

Ahurea – Culture

• We provide an inclusive environment through the use of te reo Māori, tikanga and providing tamariki with the opportunity to learn and develop respect for both parties of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• We embrace cultural diversity through our environment, languages, resources and relationships.
• We encourage tuhura (discovery) through an environment that is warm and inviting and replicates the home environment.

Kaiako – Teachers

• We are committed to ongoing professional learning and support for all kaiako.
• We employ and support qualified kaiako and kaiako in training to ensure the best learning outcomes and care for our tamariki.
• Kaiako are seen as role models who know each tamaiti well and therefore have the ability to empower all tamariki.

Kātahi anō ka tuku tātau ki te hanga i tētahi tūāpapa mo te aroha tūturu o te akoranga

Finally, we are committed to building a foundation for a lifelong love of learning