Childcare options in Western Heights

Community

At Busy Bees Western Heights, we believe that as an early learning provider, we have an important role 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 creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, and a culture of strong relationships in a friendly, non-judgemental environment. We absolutely love coming together with our tamariki, whānau and community to strengthen the collaboration and contribution with one another.

Our Environment

Our unique outdoor environment provides tamariki the space to explore and adventure, with water play, sand pit, real grass, trees and flowers. Each age group have their own separate outdoor area providing endless opportunities to enjoy the natural environment, where you’ll hear often hear joyful giggles, singing and music.

Passionate Teachers

Our kaiako (teachers) are wonderful, amazing people who are motivated and work together to provide the best possible care and education for children, which can be felt throughout the centre. Our team are professional, experienced and passionate within the Early Learning field, continuously upskilling their own professional knowledge of teaching and nurturing young children as well as their philosophy of education and knowledge of child development.

School readiness programme

Our Pathways to Kura (school) programme incorporates the many different aspects of a child’s ready for school journey. Tamariki experience school visits, excursions, learning sessions that encourage recognition and repetition as well as learning opportunities through play. The focus is on individual children achieving, building confidence and skills as they prepare for the next exciting stage of their learning journey.

Little Lights – Inspiring Little Ones to Shine.

Underpinned by Christian values and beliefs, Little Lights is a caring, nurturing and inspiring early childhood centre where children thrive. Located in an idyllic rural setting, and staffed by a team of loving, dedicated teachers, we are the perfect home away from home for local infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

Your little one will flourish here – exploring the great outdoors, making new friends, and developing a love of learning that will last a lifetime.

Set your child up for a bright and happy future. Join us here at Little Lights.

Our philosophy

Te aroha te mea nui, o nga mea katoa, te punga o nga mea ko te karaiti

Love is the key to everything we do, and Jesus is the source of it all

Our Christian philosophy forms the foundation of who we are and what we do. Christian values and beliefs are woven into all aspects of our daily interactions and learning. We aim to create a caring and fun environment where each child feels secure, loved and respected. At Little-Lights, we are committed to providing high staff-child ratios to ensure a quality learning experience for all children. Relationships are key; we support and encourage whānau in any way we can, partnering with them in the care and education of their child.

We consider the created world around us as a gift from God for us to enjoy, learn from and care for. We provide daily opportunities for the children to explore our farm and forest environment and to care for our farm animals.

We want Little Lights to be a place where each child, family and staff member is “inspired to shine” – valued and encouraged to reach their God-given potential in every way.

Our Rooms

Little Lights has two separate areas – one for under 3s and one for over 3s.  This enables us to deliver safe, nurturing and age appropriate learning experiences for all our children.  

Tui Room

This is home to the youngest members of our Little Lights family, our children aged from 10 months to 3 years. The Tui Room has its own playground with access to paddocks and extra space, separate sleep rooms for the younger children and the older children, and a vibrant art room. Mashed vegetables are provided each day along with the main meal.

Kereru Room

Ideally equipped for our busy 3 to 5 year olds, this stimulating and engaging space includes a huge outdoor area with challenging bike track, carpentry area and covered deck space. Amongst the highlights children enjoy here are regular baking and fun-filled forest excursions.

Why choose us?

There are a host of reasons why families choose Little Lights. Here are just a few of them:

• Christian philosophy
• Gorgeous rural setting
• Large natural playground for children to explore
• Farm animals including a miniature horse and goat, chickens, ducks and rabbits
• Delicious cooked meals provided
• Separate spaces for under 3s and over 3s
• Regular excursions to the nearby forest
• Vegetable gardens which the children tend
• Family atmosphere

Gingerbread Cottage is a homebased childcare service  licensed by the Ministry of Education Regulations. We operate under our umbrella Organisation, Edubase.  Our qualified Early Childhood Education Visiting Teachers work closely  with each family to provide for the individual needs of the child placed  in our care. Our teaching team are committed and passionate about  providing quality care and education for preschool children.

Our aim is to enrich the learning of each tamariki we form strong community  connections, developing links within the home and the learning  environments of our Kaiako. Tamariki learn respect for people, places  and things, shaping Aotearoa and developing an appreciation of New  Zealand’s dual heritage. We continually strive to develop knowledge and  an understanding of the cultural heritages of both partners to Te Tiriti  o Waitangi – supporting a holistic approach to learning which is guided  by our NZ Early Childhood Curriculum, Te Whāriki.

Educators offer comfortable, small group sizes, fostering respectful  and reciprocal relationships, promoting tikanga Maori within their  practice.