Childcare options in St Leonards

Welcome to Bay Buddies Preschool; our preschool learning environment has been designed to cater for our children aged over three. Our infant room is for children aged six months to two years. Our toddler room is for our children aged from two-three years old.

OUR TEACHERS: At Bay Buddies, we provide an atmosphere of harmony, which we believe is essential in facilitating positive, supportive relationships between the children, family and teachers. Good communication is paramount to building this foundation so teachers and whanau can work together to support our little ones and help them grow to become their best.

OUR ENVIRONMENT: Every child should be encouraged to grow and learn in a natural environment that facilitates a positive contribution to society.  We encourage collaboration, communication and exploration. Each learning area has an identity and a purpose and is cared for and respected by the children.

Nau Mai, Haere Mai Ki Busy Bees Hastings

At Busy Bees Hastings, we value every child and see them as unique and a special taonga. We understand that your child’s education and care is a priority and that choosing the right centre can be a big decision. We would be delighted to share in your child’s learning journey. You’re welcome to call or visit anytime.

We are open 7.30am - 5.30pm Monday to Friday.

Environment

Busy Bees Hastings has a cosy nursery, separate toddler space and an adventurous kindergarten environment. Each area has their own separate outdoor space providing endless opportunities to explore the natural environment. Our centre promotes an inclusive environment where tamariki develop knowledge and understanding of NZ’s dual heritage, culture, language and identity as well as recognising the diverse cultures of our community. We communicate, engage and work in partnership with parents and whānau regarding all aspects of children’s learning, interests, goals and holistic development.

Passionate Teachers

We have a talented group of kaiako who have been selected based on their experience and passion within the Early Learning field, their professional knowledge of teaching and nurturing tamariki as well as their philosophy of education and knowledge of child development.

Rūma Pēpi - Nursery (up to 2 years)

We recognise parents/caregivers as the child’s first educators and through a supportive and collaborative approach we will work together to develop shared goals and aspirations for children. Our Nursery environment is based on building loving and trusting bonds between infants and teachers, who structure the day according to individual needs. Play is open-ended and full of fun as we embrace the unknown of how children explore and experiment with their ideas and theories of how the world around them works.

Rūma Nohi - Toddlers (2-3 years)

We know big changes happen during this time like increased independence and more curious questions. Our educators welcome each toddler with open arms and patience. Our Toddler environment is prepared to entice children’s curiosity and exploration where testing, trying and challenge is valued. We support childhood learning with a curriculum that is developmentally appropriate and supportive of all children during this age of discovery and wonder.

Rūma Tuakana – Kindy (3-6 years)

Our Kindergarten programme provides opportunities throughout the day for children to be involved in contributing to the curriculum, helping to make decisions about what is set up, and sharing their ideas to slowly prepare our little ones for their next learning adventure.

Community

At Busy Bees Hastings, we believe that as an early learning centre, we have an important part to play in our local community and a very special opportunity to positively impact the lives of our young tamariki in their early stages of development. We celebrate whanaungatanga by connecting with our community through multicultural celebrations, and creating a sense of belonging, where everyone has a place, no matter what culture they identify with.

Hauora

Health and wellbeing are essential aspects in tamariki lives. By placing intentional focus on each of these areas, we are providing tamariki with every opportunity to gain the skills and habits to take with them into a healthy future.

By focusing on the 4 key pillars of Hauora (Tana Tihana: physical, Taha Hinengāro: mental and emotional, Tana Whānau: family and social and Taha Wairua: spiritual wellbeing) we weave key aspects into the everyday curriculum with our children.

As part of this ongoing commitment to the holistic wellbeing of tamariki, we have researched and developed programmes focused specifically on the two key areas of Physical Activity (Move) and Nutrition (Nourish).

Our Centre Cook lovingly prepares morning and afternoon tea daily. All menus are dietitian approved and have been thoughtfully designed following the New Zealand Food and Nutrition Guidelines and the Ministry of Health Healthy Eating for Babies, Toddlers and Children. Tamariki bring their pouaka kai (lunch boxes) daily.

We are a beautiful and aesthetically designed new facility situated in the heart of Hastings. We offer exciting yet calm and engaging environment. Our building is modern, spacious and has separate activity areas and rooms for children from 3 months to 6 years old. Our outdoor play areas are custom made to mirror our educational curriculum and split into various age appropriate areas to augment learning for all children.

Our Philosophy

“Ko te ahurei o te tamaiti árahia o tátou mahi”. Let the uniqueness of the child guide our work

At Cribs2crayons, we believe:

• In a play-based programme where teachers use children’s interests as a vehicle to facilitate their learning

• In empowering children by supporting them to make their own choices and lead their own learning

• Each child is an individual whose preferences, culture, language and identity should be respected and celebrated

• Relationships are the foundation for learning, therefore we strive to build caring, trusting relationships with our children and their whánau

• Parents and whánau are part of the centre, and will be encouraged to share in the daily programme

• Our teachers are learners too, and will engage in regular professional development to ensure practices are current and of the best quality