Childcare options in Churton Park

Our Approach to Quality

Why choose us:

At Little School we believe in empowering children to explore their curiosities and innate abilities, in a nurturing educational environment, that fosters independence, creativity and critical thinking.

Our approach to quality at Little School is anchored in our commitment to excellence, integrating evidence-based practices with innovative teaching methodologies, to provide an enriching, holistic educational experience that meets the diverse needs of every child.

Little School was founded by Maria Johnson in 2002. Maria is a trained Early Childhood and Primary School Teacher. As a teacher she has a passion for an educational focus within children’s first six years of life, leading for many years with a structured, fun and educational learning programme.

Little School involves parents, family/whānau, teachers/kaiako and our extended community in our conversations and decisions to continue our journey together.

Our philosophy

We are passionate about laying foundations for life – to develop a love of learning in each child. Our philosophy is founded on nurturing well-rounded, compassionate, and intellectually creative and curious individuals.

We seek to support families in fostering the following core values that will empower our children to develop:

• A love/aroha of learning
• A love/aroha for the world around us
• A love/aroha for ourselves
• A love/aroha for each other

We are committed to providing a fun learning experience for children through:

• Nurturing loving, reciprocal relationships
• Co-constructing a learning environment that fosters wonder and engagement
• Encouraging curiosity and creative learning
• Empowers children to drive their own learning
• Following children’s interests and strengths
• Supporting children’s cultural and learner identity

Our goal is to nurture each child’s potential, helping them to grow into confident, caring and curious members of the global community.

We believe that our approach to education will empower children not only to excel in their personal and academic lives, but also to contribute positively to the world around them.

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

We are the only kindergarten in Churton Park, and we are a central point for friendships and networks in our community and neighbouring suburbs.

We have a large outdoor area for children to play outside and to challenge themselves physically. We also have a quiet natural space, our ‘magic garden’. We provide learning experiences that introduce and broaden the children’s knowledge of cultures in their communities. We celebrate Chinese New Year, Holi, Matariki, Diwali, and have Powhiri to welcome new children.

Our multi-cultural team speaks several languages, and we are warm and welcoming to all our families and to all cultures. We provide an inclusive environment for all children, whatever their needs.

The Kindergarten programme celebrates the diversity of the community; the learning opportunities incorporate an introduction to different cultures through music, festivals, food and simple phrases. Children learn about New Zealand's bicultural heritage from teachers sharing their language knowledge, reading stories and singing waiata. Through this, the cultural backgrounds of teachers, children and their Whanau are acknowledged and valued. Our teaching team is motivated to provide a strong educational fun programme. The stimulating outdoor environment supports the teachers to achieve this.

Along with engaging with us about your child’s learning we invite you to become involved in our kindergarten community. You are welcome to stay during our sessions and spend time with the children. If you have skills and/or interests to share with the teachers/children, they are always welcomed and appreciated e.g.: cooking/baking/craft work/gardening. There is always tea and coffee available so feel free to help yourself. There is a roster for parents to help with tasks to support the programme such as preparing resources. Along with this we welcome your ideas and feedback.

We support the Before School Check health programme. Their coordinators work closely with the kindergarten and carry out their checks in the year prior to each child starting school. With our proximity to Churton Park Primary School, we have a close relationship with the school to help make the transition from kindy to school as smooth as possible.