Childcare options in Otumoetai

Welcome to Otūmoetai Kindergarten

You'll find us in a quiet neighbourhood, at play in a light, spacious building and an outdoor area that our tamariki just love.  (Our teachers describe it as a haven for creative and imaginative play.) We foster a warm, welcoming atmosphere and place importance on children learning how to be friendly and respectful toward one another, gently developing their social and emotional intelligence.

Your child will enjoy digging alongside us in the gardens, and learning about growing plants to support wildlife and to feed our kindergarten community and pets. There is outdoor space that provides room to run and be adventurous. Our sandpit and gritty soil areas also provide tons of messy fun, while enabling them to develop their fine and gross motor skills.

You and your child will experience a programme that is based on a child-centred, free play philosophy. Your child’s needs are planned for based on their interests, strengths and passions. We provide a balance of teacher- led and child - initiated play as we get to know your child.

Our teaching team are dedicated, highly qualified and enthusiastic educators who share a sense of connection with our community, families and children.  We aim to gift children with a sense of identity and confidence while having fun and building self-esteem.

We look forward to meeting you soon!

What makes our kindergarten special?

• Otūmoetai Kindergarten is a place for your whole family.
• We value building relationships that support your child’s sense of security and growth.
• Our established outdoor play area and additional access to park area next door
• We are part of a friendly community where our neighbours frequently visit
• We have a variety of beloved Kindergarten pets, including chickens
• Our rock climbing wall and tyre swing are particular favourites for testing personal limits
• We have strong relationships with local schools and support children in making the best possible start at school
• Our Kindergarten values focus on relationships, respect and friendliness toward others.

Dreamt, Designed, and Developed by Founders Nikeeta Singh and Dr Darius Singh:

WHY CHOOSE US?

We wanted a “home away from home” feeling for you and your Child – that’s what a husband & wife team, Nikeeta Singh (qualified teacher with over 20 years' experience in ECE teaching in NZ) and Dr Darius Singh (former NZ university professor in Engineering & Technology Management), who both have 3 generations of teaching history in their respective families, have created for you and your child - a luxurious and award winning centre, where we can focus all our attention and care on our 12 Babies, 19 Toddlers & 19 Preschoolers, right here in Otumoetai, Tauranga

We wanted to be the most preferred and popular childcare centre in town – and that's the recognition we have now received from multi-national and local businesses who actively recommend us as their preferred ECE provider for their staff childcare needs;

We wanted you and your Child to be awe-inspired every day – so we designed our own "personal meanings" and "messages of hope" and "wow factors" throughout our Tauranga centre.

• "infinity forest" projected on our backyard fence,
• giant indoor fern tree to read, play or sleep inside,
• generously spacious play areas,
• our own trademarked “play-garden®” concept,
• rain or shine covered large outdoor playground,

We wanted to give your Child the best head start for school – so we invented and patented an award winning "Learning Roots & ShootsTM" online system that shows learning outcomes for your child growing on their personalised Learning Tree;

We wanted you to feel proud that you are sending your Child to the best Preschool, Daycare, Kindergarten or Childcare Centre in NZ – so we worked hard to earn a Multi Award Winning status for Fern Garden and our sister centres, with over 15 nationally recognised awards & accolades since we started in 2010 in areas of play space design, teaching, leadership, innovation, sustainability, & our popular "Learning Roots and ShootsTM" online system;

We wanted the best teachers for your Child – so we attract and hire the best, then we train with our best, with our very own Curriculum Manager who supports our teachers' registration portfolios, curriculum planning, mentoring, and constantly ensure the highest quality outcomes for children are being achieved. We have become a sought after centre by teachers wanting to grow, experience and develop their careers, and as such, we only work with leaders and teachers who are equally passionate about our shared philosophies, values and vision for "lifting aspirations" and "messages of hope" in early childhood education;

We wanted to put your Child on the steepest trajectory of hope and possibilities in life – so we invested heavily to create "never seen before" innovative features in our environment, and teaching & learning programmes to give your Child the best head start we possibly can;

We wanted our Teachers to feel valued and empowered so they can give your Child their best every day – that's why we invest back into professional development of our teaching teams so they can continue to learn and deliver the latest best practices in early childhood education for your child, you and your family (see the list on our "Our Professional Development" page). We also take care of our colleagues' health and life insurance, financial support and well-being needs as part of our commitment to offer one of the most attractive Benefits and Care Packages in the industry;

We wanted to give your Child our full focus and attention at daycare – so we ensure we have the best Teacher : Child (1:4, 1:8) ratios and we operate in the highest band of qualified and experienced teachers from Otumoetai throughout nearby Tauranga suburbs of Bellevue, Bethlehem, Brookfield, Central Tauranga, Cherrywood, Greerton, Judea, Matua, and Pillans Point;

We wanted to ensure your Child's nutrition is personally looked after while they are in our care – so we provide diet specific, healthy, nutritious meals every day by either our qualified chef or professional catering service that specialises in ECE centres (see our sample menu and our very own cookbook);

We wanted to make all of the above things visible to you every day.

Thinking about Home Based childcare with Home Grown Kids?

All of our Educators are carefully selected and screened including Police Vetting, identity checks, an interview that assess their attitudes and values toward children and an overall assessment of risk.

Enquire today and we’ll be in touch with you soon to provide the perfect option for your family.

Choosing the Best Educator for Your Child

We stand strong alongside our Educators. We care about them and we’re committed to the work they do, supporting and communicating with them every step of the way. We understand that engaged, fulfilled Educators make for happy families and even happier tamariki who thrive in these small group settings.

Small Group Setting

Our Home Based childcare groups are capped at a maximum of four children under the age of six, including Educators’ own children. This means we can offer each child the individual attention they need to flourish.

The best fit for your whānau values

Our Educators offer a range of different programmes based around their beliefs, values, culture, background and philosophies. Over 90% of our Educators hold a recognised ECE qualification. Some of our Educators are mothers and grandmothers with fantastic life skills, experience and knowledge. We’ll listen to your needs and then offer, where possible, a range of Educators. You will get to choose an Educator that you and your whānau connect with and trust.

Exceeding educational standards

An education programme that reflects New Zealand ECE curriculum - Te Whāriki. We are a Ministry of Education approved and licensed Early Childhood Education provider. Regularly reviewed by the

Education Review Office to ensure all our Home Based environments not only meet, but exceed the Ministry of Education’s Licensing Criteria for Home-based Services (2008).

Subsidies available

We’re an approved Work and Income provider and can support you to access a childcare subsidy if you are eligible.

20 hours ECE scheme

The Government subsidises all children aged 3-5 years (or 6 if not enrolled in school) who attend an ECE facility, making access more affordable for all.

Leaders in development practices for each child

All our Educators are supported and guided by our Visiting Teachers who are Qualified certificated ECE teachers with many years’ experience and expertise in early childhood education. Our Visiting Teachers regularly attend professional development to keep up-to-date with current research and theory for best practice for Education and care for under fives.

Our philosophy, vision and mission

• Our Vision– The why – The reason we exist:

To provide a family friendly wrap around support service that enables all tamariki/whanau to learn, grow and thrive in a home-based setting. Investing in cultivating kindness, strong and professional relationships, in all our people to continue growing as lifelong learners

• Mission Statement – The How -How are we going to achieve the Vision?

We will achieve our Vision through ensuring that every team member is emotionally invested in the well-being of our people including tamariki, whanau, Educators, communities and our Edubase family. We value successes and that these are not ours alone, the greatest success comes from the strengths of many. Our passion, knowledge and commitment will be the catalyst that enables everyone to learn, thrive and achieve.

• Philosophy Statement

Edubase is a Home Based Early Childhood Education service that is committed to providing nurturing learning environments where tamariki thrive as individuals through an authentic play-based, natural learning education and care programme, in a home setting.

To enrich the learning of each tamariki we form strong community connections, developing links within the home and the learning environments of our Kaiako. Tamariki learn respect for people, places and things, shaping Aotearoa and developing an appreciation of New Zealand’s dual heritage. We continually strive to develop knowledge and an understanding of the cultural heritages of both partners to Te Tiriti o Waitangi – supporting a holistic approach to learning which is guided by our NZ Early Childhood Curriculum, Te Whāriki.

Educators and Nannies offer comfortable, small group sizes, fostering respectful and reciprocal relationships, promoting tikanga Māori within their practice.

As an Organisation, we pride ourselves on cultivating strong, professional relationships, strengthening capability in all our people to continue growing as lifelong learners.

Edubase celebrates the diversity and uniqueness of each tamaiti, whanau and Kaiako and the gifts they bring. They are taonga, a treasure or gift. All things cultural are affirmed and celebrated, aiming to support children in gaining a positive awareness of their own and other cultures.

Tiaki nga tamariki – take care of the children

Nature’s Cove is a privately owned early childhood education centre that boasts a great team of experienced, dedicated and qualified teachers. We are conveniently located one minute from the beach and easy walking distance to Kulim Park, which we make the most of with our frequent learning excursions.  

We are proud that our teacher to tamariki ratios are well above the minimum legal requirement, allowing us to have quality one on one experiences with each child.  The design of the Centre, with its carefully planned inside environments and large outdoor areas, enables our tamariki to flourish with an abundance of activities and learning opportunities.

Nature's Cove Environment

Nature’s Cove is a Ministry of Education licensed preschool for children aged 3 months to 5 years old. Our preschool consists of three separate age group areas which allows us to ensure there is a relevant focus for each stage of growth and learning. 

The Infants room is for tamariki aged 3 months to 2 years of age, our Toddlers are 2 years to 3.5 years and the Preschool room is for ages 3.5 years old to school. 

We are located a 2-minute walk to the beach, 5-minute walk to Kulim Park and many other beautiful learning environments that we take advantage of through our frequent excursions. We are open Monday till Friday 7.30am until 5.30pm and are closed on public holidays. 

At Nature’s Cove we ensure a seamless transition from home to preschool by providing all meals, drinks and nappies if required. 

We encourage Parent involvement and love it when: parents and whanau come in to share their talents with the children; our Fathers night is one of the highlights of our year; Mums come in to make Hot Cross Buns with the children; we pile on a bus and visit new places; we can support the family and not just your child.

We value diversity and encourage inclusiveness of all children and their families irrespective of ability and culture.