Childcare options in Nelson

Here at Atawhai Kids, we pride ourselves on providing high quality care and education for children aged from 3 months of age until they start school.  

Our program is based on the principles of respect, responsibility, and community for children; through exploration and discovery in a supportive and enriching environment based on the interests of the children through a self-guided curriculum. Core to our philosophy is the provision of an environment that is rich in children's learning opportunities. Not only are we proud of our challenging, yet natural physical environment; but also the interactional environment (social interactions within the environment), and the temporal environment (routines/time) we strive to provide.  

Atawhai Kids Preschool is very proud of the culturally diverse range of families we engage with and provide service to. We are fully committed to providing a learning environment rich in Maori language (te Reo) and practices (tikanga); in addition to the many other cultures represented in our local community. Please ensure your communicate any special cultural practices you value and would like to see embraced by the centre.

We are a fun and vibrant centre who really take care of each other and share the responsibility of teaching our children.  

We have a wonderful outdoor play space and a big vegetable & flower garden, along with a mud kitchen for the children to enjoy.  

We run from a school house that has heaps of character, it’s warm, dry and cosy.    

We welcome your visit.

We are a mixed age centre in Nelson catering for children 0-6 years of age. Busy Bees is situated in a villa style building which has been converted to accommodate our centre whanau. This ensures a cosy and nurturing environment for children who spend time outside of their homes in a home away from home.

Busy Bees teachers are very passionate about their profession, supporting each child's interests and learning while also valuing each individual family. Busy Bees culture is strongly influenced by music and learning through play in a fun loving atmosphere. We recommend families visit the centre prior to booking their child in so they can meet the team and ensure that this is the centre that best suits their child and families needs and wants. When you decide to book your child into Busy Bees we recommend 3 visits with you to settle your child into the environment.

Busy Bees Philosophy

At Busy Bees our primary objective is to provide high quality care and education for our children.

We believe that each child is unique and must be treated with love and respect in order to develop and shine to their full potential.

We put a high value on trusting, responsive, reciprocal relationships with children and their families and the development and maintenance of these relationships. We want children and their families to have a strong sense of belonging/turangawaewae.

Our home away from home environment is mixed age, which provides amazing tuakana teina opportunities. We have a play based curriculum which respects the importance of learning through play and reflects Te Whariki, our guiding document. We believe in providing a natural and stimulating environment which offers children space and time to explore their interests in their own way and at their own pace.

We are a multi-cultural centre and we value all families as individuals.  We respect their cultural beliefs, values and aspirations within our centre and embed all of New Zealand’s national languages.

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.

Bridge Street Early Learning Centre is a community based, not for profit, centre. We provide equitable opportunities for children aged between six months and five years to learn with, and alongside, their peers in a respectful and empowering high quality educational environment, supported by professional trained teachers.

Our teachers view the child as the heart of the family/whanau with the Centre being the bridge between the home environment and the wider world. Teachers enable each child to become self determining and gain increasing control of their individual learning journey.

Children experience an environment where Te Reo me nga tikanga Maori are honored and expressed through reciprocal relationships.

Bridge Street Early Learning Centre is proud to be part of the Enviro Schools network, which includes schools and early learning centres that are working towards being sustainability minded. We are engaged in programs that promote critical reflection and thinking about the World around us.

Philosophy

We are founded on community and rich learning experiences, held together with professional teaching practice and a shared understanding that together we can make a difference in the World.

We are committed to ensuring that children and their families feel a sense of belonging and wellbeing as they move through this Jorney. We provide quality education and care by ensuring:

• Small group sizes, with high teacher/child ratios in the under twos and over twos areas.
• A purpose built area for infants and toddlers with a family friendly space that feels like an extension from home.
• Flexible hours (7.45am to 5.15pm) and affordable Early Childhood care and education.
• Professional trained Early childhood Teachers.
• A space were children learn through responsive and reciprocal relationships.
• A nurturing, positive, child centered and safe learning environment.

Campus Corner Early Learning Centre INC. opened in April 1989. The building is owned by the Nelson-Marlborough Institute of Technology.

Campus Corner Early Learning Centre provides quality care and education for children from six months up until they start attending school.

We are licensed for 28 Young Children (over 2's) and nine Infants & Toddlers (under 2's) at any one time.

We have separate play areas which are, at times, integrated during the day when appropriate or when the children are showing interest.

Every child at Campus Corner has a Profile Book provided for them. Your child’ primary care giver will document your child's learning journey and experiences here at Campus Corner. 

We have also introduced StoryPark so we never miss a magic moment! This online learning tool will support teachers to communicate and document learning with you as it happens!

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.

Auckland Point Kindergarten - Matangi Awhio, is a whanau of akonga, a family of learners.

Embracing a holistic way of learning through responsive and reciprocal relationships within The Early Childhood Curriculum-Te Whariki.

We see: each other, whanau, children and the wider community as a partnership.

We feel: the ihi, the wehi, the mana - The excitement, the fear, the strength of individuals.

We do: empower children, whanau and one another to grow up as competent and confident learners, respecting people, places and things.

Our learning environment offers opportunities for tamariki/children to learn through play. The term ‘PLAY’ forms the foundation for creative intelligence, literacy, higher learning and also provides the foundation for future symbolic and abstract thought.

The centre caters for children from 6 months to 6 years of age in two separate sections.

In the Under two’s area the teachers work calmly, and gently when attending to children’s physical, emotional and learning needs, while providing a good model of language, showing respect and responding quickly and appropriately to the children.

In the over two’s area, teachers are enthusiastic participants in the programme, providing children with support and encouragement to develop and extend activities that arise from their interests. 

Independence and self care are promoted.

Individual profiles are written for children sharing each child's  journey through Auckland Point Kindergarten – Matangi Awhio.

Learning  stories record children's interests and abilities, and inform  parents/whanau of milestones reached.

Grove Street Kindergarten is located in the heart of The Wood, minutes away from the centre of town.

We are privately tucked away down a driveway which leads you to our impressive outside area with large outside playground, back section with animals and beautiful established trees.

At Grove Street Kindergarten we .....

• Try new things and challenge ourselves
• Explore, take risks and make our own choices
• Treat others and our environment with love and respect
• Encourage curiosity and creativity
• Engage in rich authenic play
• Believe learning should be fun
• Are connected to nature

At Nelson South Kindergarten we are passionate about quality early childhood education with relationships at the core of our practice.

The team actively respects and incorporates the knowledge and experiences that all children bring to life at our Kindergarten.

We make constant connections with our wider community as groups of children and teachers head out most weeks on excursions to a wide range of places such as; Nelson Intermediate Gymnasium, the Grampians, Nelson Provincial Museum, Isel Park, Nelson Public Library, local Primary Schools only to name a few.

We have termly optional family events and an open door policy to allow families to visit whenever and be part of their child’s learning and development and also meet other families.

All the teachers here are fully qualified and registered teachers and have been teaching here together for many years.

Our programme is enriched through our ability to notice and recognise children’s emerging ideas and interests, and to extend these through the provision of resources to excite, prompt, promote, provoke and extend children’s ideas, skills, knowledge and reasoning.

We are fortunate to be part of a very multicultural community, with children and their families from around the world as well as Aotearoa/New Zealand.  

We have a transition to school group made up of the eldest ten children which help children further develop skills and knowledge in the last few months of their time at Kindergarten.

Nelson Central Kindergarten is very well placed to promote learning outcomes for children.

Children are well supported by their teachers to develop their interests, skills, knowledge and abilities.   Relationships among the children, teachers and families are supportive and respectful. Tuakana teina relationships are highly evident between children. Older children willingly help younger children and include them in their play and learning.

Through strong learning partnerships teachers ensure parents are involved in setting goals for their child's learning and kept well informed about their child's progress and learning outcomes. Teachers maintain strong links between home and centre learning.

Te reo and tikanga Maori are well integrated into the programme. Children know and use te reo Maori. Teachers make effective use of professional development to continue to increase their skills and knowledge in this area of the curriculum. Maori parents also enrich, clarify and extend te reo and tikanga Maori in the programme.

The environment reflects the pride the children, teachers and community have in New Zealand's bicultural heritage.  

The Kindergarten has a very good range of resources that are presented in ways that encourage children to explore, work independently and spend time that they need to develop their interests, ideas and learning. The programme has a strong emphasis on literacy and numeracy, creativity and physical activity. 

The outdoor environment is effectively used by children and teachers to help children develop a good range of physical skills and appropriate attitudes towards team and competitive sports.

Victory Square Kindergarten is a multi cultural kindergarten with families from a diverse range of cultures. The spacious, purpose built kindergarten is a warm and inviting environment that reflects the cultural backgrounds of the children and their families. The teachers provide children with a safe, nurturing, consistent environment where limits and boundaries are clearly understood. 

Literacy and Numeracy development is fostered as children learn about print and mathematics in authentic contexts.  

The learning environment has a strong Maori perspective where drawings, posters, and patterns are displayed.  

The community is important to the kindergarten and the parents role as “first teacher” is respected. This role is considered very important and the teachers ensure that families/whanau develop positive relationships with their children. There is a permanent Family Support Worker employed in the kindergarten who supports the families in whatever way she can.  

Children and families are welcome to visit us anytime. 

Come and see how awesome our kindergarten is.