Childcare options in Lansdowne

We have a beautiful purpose-built centre, conveniently located opposite the hospital. Featuring four age specific classrooms with quality educational resources and a fantastic playground.   

Your child will love the well laid out Learning spaces, consisting of family play, creative art corner and a quiet space for reading and reflection.  There’s also plenty of natural resources with space to explore.  

Our qualified, experienced teachers are warm, welcoming and fun. They guide our tamariki to engage in challenging experiences. We treat all children with respect. Plus, we provide equal opportunities to ensure your child gets the best start in life.  

Parents love the rich sense of community, and our curriculum reflects our philosophy for strong relationships. It values input from parents, teachers, whanau, children and our wonderful community.

Considered to be one of the best centres in Wairarapa, Active Explorers Masterton is a modern, purpose built day care with dedicated staff, fantastic learning facilities and a friendly and welcoming environment.

As a centre in the heart of our community, we know how important relationships are to the development of young children. We actively encourage the participation of parents and whanau so we can all work together to create lifelong learners. And thanks to our high teacher to child ratios, affordable fees and flexible hours, top quality childcare is accessible to all, here at Active Explorers Masterton.

Why choose us?

Active Explorers Masterton is the centre of choice for lots of local families. Here’s why:  

• High number of passionate, trained registered teachers
• Purpose-built building with four age-defined learning and care spaces
• Multicultural
• Open over the two week Christmas period
• Free food for under 3s; under 12 months provide their own food
• We use Storypark to share children’s learning with families
• Profile books provide a hard copy for children to look through with friends and family
• Our veggie garden enables children to grow plants from seeds and then transplant them into the garden
• Children eat what we’ve grown for lunches or take home
• We celebrate children’s birthdays and other special days
• Matariki celebration - we invite parents and grandparents to join us for lunch, the children help to prepare the vegetables for soup, and make flat bread. We sing songs, weeks before the gathering the children grow a little plant from seeds to give to their whānau
• Annual Christmas party includes a BYO picnic dinner, visit from Father Christmas, bouncy castle, lots of song singing and family fun
• We support community fundraising events like Red Nose Day and Onesie Day

Te Kōhanga Reo

The kōhanga reo movement is a unique initiative based on total immersion in Māori language and values with the aim of passing on Māori culture to future generations.

Kōhanga reo emphasise the revitalisation of the culture through te reo Māori and are dependent on the active participation of the whole whānau. The kaupapa of kōhanga reo aims to strengthen whānau capabilities in cultural, social, economic, spiritual and political matters. Education, health and wellbeing are inherent within all aspects of the kaupapa. The prime focus is the whānau – its collective development, growth, accountability and wellbeing set within a Māori cultural context.

Kōhanga reo do not regard tamariki in isolation, but as important members of the whānau. The kōhanga reo philosophy is that tamariki will benefit when whānau successfully operate according to the kaupapa. Tamariki are an integral part of whānau development.

The following key goals are the foundation of te kōhanga reo kaupapa established in 1982:

• total immersion in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga in daily operations
• whānau decision-making, management and responsibility
• accountability
• health and wellbeing of mokopuna and whānau.

The key goals of te kōhanga reo assure that there will be:

• security in te reo Māori
• a supportive, caring environment for mokopuna
• whānau (collective) sharing of responsibilities, knowledge and expertise
• greater respect and appreciation of each other.