Childcare options in Porirua East

Porirua Early Learning Centre is a safe, diverse and welcoming environment where quality early learning and our tamariki are at the heart of what we do.  Your child will be inspired and stimulated by our rich array of play-based experiences in our indoor environments.

We are proud to be a part of a diverse and vibrant community where your child’s unique identity is celebrated.

We have been awarded a Healthy Heart award for creating an environment that promotes healthy eating and physical activity; our tamariki love the vegetable garden and fruit trees and we even have our very own worm farm!

Convenience

Our aim is to create the best conditions for your child's learning, wellbeing and care. We also know how important it is to give you the convenience you need and reassurance that your child is in safe hands. Our central location, loving team and tailored environment are all waiting to be discovered by your whānau.

Extended hours and Storypark - our online parent communication tool, are just some of the ways we try to make things a little easier for parents.

Engaging environment

Our happy and nurturing environment will inspire, stimulate and empower your child to learn in their own unique way. The outdoor spaces challenge and excite the imagination, while our spacious and indoor areas offer room for reading, rest, and engaging indoor learning experiences. Our children love painting, waiata and the many natural play areas they have to discover.

Connecting with the outdoors

We only know who we are, by knowing where we come from. That's why building a strong connection with nature and our local community is so important. We believe it helps your child develop a sense of belonging and identity and positively influences their learning experiences.

We're so lucky to have so many wonderful options on our doorstep here in Porirua. We grow our own vegetable and herbs in our garden and go on community excursions to the local library.

Nutrition and wellbeing

We strive to provide nutritious and delicious meals and snacks to support physical and mental development. We encourage healthy eating habits and offer a balanced menu to keep your child well fueled throughout the day. The children also love being involved and we use the vegetables and herbs we grow, in our meals.

Your child will enjoy:

• Morning snack
• Lunch
• Afternoon snack

Our centre is nut free and we're happy to cater for any allergy or other dietary requirements as required.

At Awatea Kindergarten (previously Mungavin Kindergarten) we are warm and welcoming, we reflect the cultural diversity of our Porirua community, and we have strong relationships with whanau.   

We have an emphasis on fun, while promoting care and respect for each other and for our environment. We offer inclusive, accessible education to diverse learners and respect all religious beliefs.     

We honour TeTiriti o Waitangi as the founding document of Aotearoa.  All of our children come with a kete of knowledge and we work with that kete and add to it. We are supported by our Kaumatua and we offer kapa haka and our children all learn their mihi which enhances their mana and sense of belonging.            

We have strong community links, with the various community services and agencies and with local schools. We network with services to strengthen the support we can offer our families.

As the oldest kindergarten in Porirua, located in multicultural Cannons Creek, we have a strong relationship with our community.

Alongside our relationship with the community, we have a distinct cultural programme. Whanaungatanga, Manaakitanga, Whakapapa and Tuakana/Teina play a significant role in our teaching philosophy. Through this teachers support children’s independence and extend their thinking, empowering them to make decisions about their own learning. Children flourish in our environment as it reflects and embraces their values and culture, especially Maori and Pasifika.     

Computer technology is also part of our curriculum; we have the newest Mimio interactive whiteboards, along with five IPads which enhance our teaching and learning programme. These help to extend children’s creativity, literacy, numeracy, music and social skills. We use Storypark, online e-portfolios, to share children’s learning with parents and whanau.       

We provide breakfast each morning, as well as fruit at morning tea time. From time to time we also do baking and cooking with children during sessions. We are a peanut-free kindergarten.     

Our ‘transition to school’ programme includes visiting the new entrant class at Windley School each week as children near 5 years old. To aid in the transition to school, we create transitions booklets about each child for their new entrant teacher. We also use the Casey the Caterpillar literacy programme (also used at Windley School), which provides children with literacy knowledge for starting school.