Childcare options in Nelson Central

At Busy Bees Hardy Street in Nelson, we believe children are unique and come with their own special strengths. As a whānau, we support your child's journey and individual stage of development, encouraging them to reach their full potential through a learner focused, play-based programme.

Our centre has five age-appropriate rooms that flow through to their respective outdoor areas. Plenty of undercover space means children can be indoors or outdoors all year round. We promote the development of active and confident learners who think, question, seek information and apply knowledge to the best of their ability. Busy Bees Hardy Street also has an amazing outdoor garden environment for the children with a lush, spacious garden to provide stimulating and adventurous areas of play for the children to explore and relax. We are situated in a beautiful area surrounded by nature, which we utilise frequently for excursions and fun in the local park.

Nursery Room

Located in a beautifully renovated villa with lush gardens and spacious playrooms. We pride ourselves in providing a very homely environment where infants and young toddlers can feel safe, nurtured and content, we even have fire places to keep us cosy and warm on those colder days and heat pumps for the summer. Our teaching practises focus on high quality, respectful relationships. This has meant that we have adopted primary caregiving for infants and toddlers, where children have one ‘special teacher’ to help them with their care needs. Over the years we have found primary caregiving to be a vital part of respectful care for infants and toddlers. We understand how valuable care routine times are and how much learning is taking place for the infant if they are engaged with a sensitive and responsive adult who they can develop a trusting relationship with. In order to achieve these meaningful care moments the kaiako all work together to ensure that each care moment between a teacher and a child is unhurried and uninterrupted.

Harakeke Room

Harakeke Rūma is an engaging world where toddlers learn and explore. Our curriculum is rooted in the science of learning. Through play, experimenting with possibilities, problem solving, and project work, we provide the tamariki with the very best early education experiences possible. Newly independent tamariki are ready to explore and discover with caring teachers at their side every step of the way. Our older tamariki are active learners, collaborating with teachers and each other, as they explore ideas and make discoveries. Independent skills living through daily routines.

Moana Room & Aroha Room

While we do have two separate rooms for 3-4 year olds and 4–5 year olds, we spend a lot of time together. We share an outdoor space and the kaiako work collaboratively to ensure that the tamariki have the best possible learning outcomes. In addition to our curriculum, the kaiako ensure that they create an environment where tamariki can explore self-help skills, discover safety and hygiene, learn about mindfulness and social skills as well as self-regulation and empathy. Our passionate teachers inspire the love of literacy and language by reading books together recreating stories through puppets and encouraging role play. Regular visits to the local library and retirement homes enrich learning and empathy experiences.

Welcome to The Y Early Learning Centre

Early education is an important step in your child’s life. It could be preschool, kindergarten or an early learning centre – making the right choice is important for you and your family.

Prepare your child for a quality future through nourishment and strength in a safe, caring environment. The Y (formerly YMCA) supports skill, social, emotional and cognitive development through three core themes – nature, nurture and being active, which will allow your child to connect with themselves, their environment and their community.

All of our centres have access to open spaces, greenery and trees. We believe that exploring nature builds curiosity and makes learning fun for our tiny curious explorers of Earth.

Nourishment starts from within as we support your child with social skills, courage and perseverance for their own development milestones – giving them a strong start to their best life.

The Y has been supporting Kiwi kids to live actively since 1855. We’re the experts in fundamental movement skills, leading to a lifelong love of being active. Y children jump, dance and have fun as they play and learn.

Why Choose The Y Early Learning Centres?

20 Hours Free

The Y Early learning centres offer 20 ECE hours free for all children aged 3 and over

Fully Licensed

Our centres are fully licensed childcare and education facilities under the Ministry of Education for children aged 6 months - 6 years

MOE Audited & Accredited

Our early learning centres are audited and accredited by the Ministry of Education

WINZ Subsidies Available

WINZ Subsidies are available for qualified families

Qualified Staff

Our staff are fully trained, professionally qualified and committed to on-going personal development

Safeguarding Accredited

YMCA North is Aotearoa’s first and only accredited organisation through the Australian Childhood Foundation (ACF) as a child-safe organisation