Childcare options in Tauranga

Our CURRICULUM

We believe children should be immersed in love and childhood is a time for fun and exploration.

Our values are strongly embedded in our practice and because we believe children should be immersed in love, we love unconditionally and intentionally seek the wellbeing of all those associated with the centres. We therefore become intentional in every aspect of the curriculum. Nothing is done by default or without thought and reflection. From the way we create our environment to the resources we choose, how we do our assessments, our interactions with children, whānau and each other are all weighted against this intentional response to promote wellbeing.

It is with this in mind that we have examined theory and current practice in Early Childhood and have chosen to place emphasis on creative thinking and arts based learning at Above and Beyond, as we believe this encompasses a very intentional response to the wellbeing of children and society as a whole.

With the increased knowledge available through IT there is a greater need than ever to process and analyse information, rather than memorizing and rote learning and this requires an ability to think in innovative and productive ways.

Arts based learning recognises the contribution of the arts in developing this level of creative cognitive functioning.

Above and Beyond In The City is the perfect location for parents who work in the CBD and require extended opening hours (7am – 5:30pm). Located in a residential street off Cameron Road (Selwyn Street), this boutique centre is a quiet haven away from the traffic and noise of the city, yet conveniently located for easy pick up and drop off. Our extraordinary staff would welcome the opportunity to proudly show you through the centre and answer any questions you may have.

Nau mai, haere mai and welcome to Pyes Pa Playcentre

Playcentre is unlike any other early childhood education organisation. At Playcentre, both children and their parents / caregivers attend.

At Playcentre children get the opportunity to learn and explore in a fun and safe environment.

The curiosity and creativity of our tamariki is nurtured in a way that allows them to learn about themselves and their world.

Your child will be given a chance to explore, create, climb, read, sing, experiment, play music, wear costumes, have their face painted (or do it themselves!), garden, do carpentry with real tools, bake and cook, build sandcastles, swing, slide, dance, spend time in nature and get messy.

The activities change every day. Playcentre parents all bring different skills, interests, and cultural backgrounds to add to the rich learning environment.

We welcome families with children aged 0 – 6 years. Mixed age play allows your children to engage with others older and younger than themselves. Pre-schoolers learn how to communicate, share and negotiate with empathy for their younger peers.

At Playcentre, families come together and lifelong friendships are formed.

We welcome you to visit any time during the year. You are entitled to three free visits so come and check out what we do – we would love to meet you and your family!

Nau mai, haere mai and welcome to Te Puna Playcentre

Playcentre is unlike any other early childhood education organisation.

At Playcentre, both children and their parents / caregivers attend.

The curiosity and creativity of our tamariki is nurtured in a way that allows them to learn about themselves and their world.

Your child will be given a chance to explore, create, climb, read, sing, experiment, play music, wear costumes, have their face painted (or do it themselves!), garden, do carpentry with real tools, bake and cook, build sandcastles, swing, slide, dance, spend time in nature and get messy.

The activities change every day. Playcentre parents all bring different skills, interests, and cultural backgrounds to add to the rich learning environment.

We welcome families with children aged 0 – 6 years. Mixed age play allows your children to engage with others older and younger than themselves. Pre-schoolers learn how to communicate, share and negotiate with empathy for their younger peers.

At Playcentre, families come together and lifelong friendships are formed.

We welcome you to visit any time during the year. You are entitled to three free visits so come and check out what we do – we would love to meet you and your family!

The relationships that we build with both children and their wider family are the foundation for each child’s learning journey with us. Our curriculum (Te Whaariki) will include aspirations which parents have for their little ones and we welcome parent input into our programme.

All children at Mamma Bear will be trusted and respected to be the initiators of their learning and will be guided with supportive teachers every step of the way, developing true confident learners who have a strong sense of self.  We believe in fostering children’s independence and we do this by allowing children time and opportunities to explore and solve problems themselves.

We will create a consistent and predictable environment for our children which will make them feel secure.  Our daily rituals will give children a sense of ownership over their day and will support them to feel safe and secure in our home away from home.

We are proud to be a community-based service, offering high-quality education and care at a low cost, in order to support our local community.`

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.

Located in Tauranga, Elm Tree Early Learning Centre is a nurturing environment that embraces play-based, eco-friendly learning for children aged 3 months to 5 years. Elm Tree’s warm and inclusive community is grounded in supporting every child’s journey of discovery, emphasising respect for others and a sense of belonging for both children and their families.

Learning Approach
Elm Tree is inspired by holistic educational philosophies that celebrate each child’s unique growth path. The center's teaching approach balances structured and unstructured play, fostering early development through exploration and community-based learning. Each classroom—whether in the Tui Room (0-2 years), Kiwi Room (2-3 years), or Fantail Room (3-5 years)—is tailored to age-appropriate milestones, from sensory discovery for infants to investigative learning for preschoolers.

Programs and Activities
Elm Tree offers a variety of activities designed to inspire curiosity and confidence. Creative arts, music, language skills, and physical play are woven into each day, supporting every child’s cognitive, social, and emotional growth. Children in the Fantail Room, for instance, engage in hands-on projects that nurture their inquisitive minds, while younger rooms focus on foundational play that encourages motor skills and social interactions.

Environment and Facilities
The eco-conscious, purpose-built facilities at Elm Tree are thoughtfully designed for a balanced, child-centered experience. Bright, spacious classrooms, a leafy outdoor play area, and eco-friendly practices—such as solar energy and a composting system—ensure a sustainable and enriching space for children to play and learn. Elm Tree’s commitment to the environment extends into the curriculum, where children are introduced to sustainable habits they can carry forward.

Parental Involvement
At Elm Tree, family connection is key. The centre encourages open communication through regular updates and an inviting environment where parents are welcomed as active participants in their child’s learning journey.

Unique Features
Elm Tree’s eco-friendly ethos and beautiful surroundings on Mission Street set it apart. The centre's focus on environmental education allows children to engage in sustainability practices, including recycling and composting, reinforcing responsible habits from an early age.

Welcome to Kaleidoscope Childcare

We would like to warmly welcome you and your child/children to Kaleidoscope Childcare Centre.  We are so excited that you are considering starting with us, and we look forward to the possibility of you joining our Kaleidoscope Whānau.

At Kaleidoscope we provide quality care and education for children from 3 months to 5 years of age through;

• High staff to child ratios, above Ministry requirements
• 80% minimum qualified teachers
• 3 rooms catering for the specific needs of children at different ages and stages
• A loving and nurturing environment
• Teachers whose interactions with children create opportunities for meaningful conversations that provoke and extend children’s thinking and learning.
• A play based curriculum founded on the idea that, “Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn.” – O. Fred Donaldson

The benefits for children who take part in a quality early childhood education programme are outlined on the education.govt.nz website where they agree, “Children who take part regularly in quality ECE are likely to be confident and curious about the world, and this can help them do better when they go to school or kura.” 

Our Story

We are a family run childcare centre that has been a long-time dream in the making.  We are so excited to have this opportunity to work together and make this dream a reality.  This centre is a way for us to share our passion for early childhood with the Tauranga community and provide a childcare centre that is one of a kind.  Family comes first for us, and we want our Kaleidoscope family to be an extension of this.

We centre our practice around love and trust, celebrating our role as a partner in the care and education of children under 5 with their families and Whānau.  We see positive, caring relationships as being the basis in all that we do, as we strive to provide an environment where parents and caregivers know their children will receive the same level of love and care as they would at home.