Childcare options in Stoke

The Children's Garden is a Pikler inspired, Nature connected & Relationships based early learning & care centre for infants, toddlers & young children.

We are guided by both the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum (Te Whariki) as well as the Montessori philosophy. We see our classrooms as a community of children. Children aged two-and-a-half up to six learn alongside each other which enables the older children to be role models for their younger peers.

The environment is designed to empower children’s independence. Children participate in preparing meals or tending to the garden. When helping with food preparation, the children use real utensils. We try to create a “homely” atmosphere in our classrooms so that children feel a sense of ownership over their space. Learning in the outdoors is viewed as important and beneficial as learning inside. The children are free to move between the classroom and the outdoor area.Children are offered 2.5 to 3 hour blocks of time to concentrate on the activities they have chosen without interruption.

For her time, Dr Maria Montessori had revolutionary ideas about the importance of the early years for human development. She believed that between the years of zero to six, children’s brains were like sponges. Montessori proposed that young children experienced “sensitive periods” for learning language, refining their senses and developing their motor coordination. For example, young children can effortlessly learn a second language whereas adults must dedicate hours of deliberate study to be bilingual.  In our classrooms, you will find materials and activities that specifically nurture these sensitive periods for learning.

As most parents know, young children often insist on doing things for themselves. Practical life activities satisfy children’s innate desire for independence by mirroring real life activities. Practicing pouring from a jug or learning to manipulate clothes fastenings satisfy their innate need to do things for themselves. 

Children are free to choose any of the activities on the shelf but are expected to return them when they are finished so the activity is available for one of their friends. This gives them a sense of responsibility for their environment.

Our Vision: We are a learning community emphasising Christian values that respect the people and cultures of Aotearoa and enable all to grow and achieve their potential.

ElimKids is a community-based Christian preschool that values diversity, has a positive team environment and works in partnership with whanau/families, specialist organisations and our community.  

We have a loving, caring environment that nurtures a child’s self-esteem, physical, social, intellectual and spiritual growth with a dedicated team of qualified and trainee teachers. 

All children have a primary caregiver – a special teacher who is responsible for developing a closer relationship with them and their whanau/family. This teacher looks after your child’s portfolio book, which contains learning stories, photos, anecdotes and artwork.  

ElimKids is committed to ongoing staff development and is a training institution. This ensures we not only stay in step with current practice but also have a regular injection of fresh ideas and learning through our Early Childhood Education trainees. 

ElimKids values connections with our community and encourages whanau/family participation and has served Nelson for over 20 years.

We provide a welcoming environment where we understand the importance of building strong relationships with children, families and whānau. We have a highly experienced team with qualified teachers who provide a wonderful learning environment for all children.

We respect all children as confident and competent learners that love to explore. Kiwi Treasures provides a range of activities for children to investigate, explore, discover and make sense of the world around them. Kiwi Treasures provides an environment that is well-equipped, home-like and nurturing. Indoor and outdoor areas provide a wide range of opportunities for children to explore, experiment, create, imagine and be challenged.

Our Philosophy

Here at Kiwi Treasures Early Learning Centre our philosophy is to work together with parents and whanau, in order to achieve a caring and nurturing education environment for your child.  We are here to support your children, so they can become competent, confident learners.  Every child is unique and we recognise the importance of promoting individuality and having a learning environment that is inclusive of every child’s needs.

At the centre we respect all family and whanau cultures and beliefs.  We have a program that allows all children to be immersed in Maori culture, which we achieve by integrating Te Reo and tikanga practices into our daily program.

A creative and calm environment that empowers not only the children, but the staff, families and whanau too, means we can learn together as a community.  We strive to provide an environment that is well planned and developed, so that all children can learn holistically and where the importance of fun, spontaneous play can be recognised.

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.

Little Red Fox Early Learning Centre provides care for children from birth to 6 years.
Our centre is purpose-built with a wonderful play area for children to explore and have adventures in. We are well-resourced with committed, caring and experienced teachers. Our learning spaces are designed for children in similar age groups with environments and resources that best meet their age and stage of development.

We strive to maintain high teacher : child ratios so we can build quality relationships with children to promote their learning across all parts of their life. Our teachers are fun, passionate and experts in several areas of education. We have a social/emotional competency leader and a special education leader. These to leaders work, to upskill all our team and support all children and families under the LRF umbrella.