Childcare options in Bishopdale

Kindercare is committed to keeping children safe, loved and learning in the early years of their life, in partnership with parents. Our centre is located ideally for families in Sawyers Arms, Casebrook, the airport and Harewood, Northcote, and Redwood.

At Kindercare Bishopdale, we provide a nurturing environment where children are empowered to pursue lifelong learning. Our home-away-from-home setting offers a balanced curriculum that encourages exploration and discovery, while valuing inclusivity and cultural diversity. We foster holistic development and strong relationships with whānau, inviting parents to actively participate in their children's learning journey and share their stories and knowledge.

Give your child The Kindercare Advantage— our curriculum that is based on Aotearoa’s early childhood framework, Te Whāriki, designed to build your child’s confidence, resilience, and self-esteem. Our program includes four foundational pillars to nurture your child, nourish and move their growing bodies and inspire creativity.

Experience the Kindercare difference for your whānau. Visit our website for more information.

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