Childcare options in Thorndon

The vision of Co Kids is to provide quality early childhood education, within an innovative, creative environment that supports children’s learning and development. 

Our role is to support each child by providing rich experiences within a safe and exciting learning environment. Families, and the Co Kids team, all play an integral part in providing these rich opportunities for children.

We believe this is the key to building a strong foundation for tomorrow’s community.

This superb centre is licenced for 75 children and is located in Thorndon Quay, Wellington. The spaces are separated into three areas, with a state-of-the-art kitchen connecting the Spaces.

Co Kids Thorndon provides a sugar free environment, and all meals are prepared fresh daily by an on onsite cook.

We continue to be passionate about encouraging and providing an environment that is rich with opportunities for children to learn and develop with their interests.

The resources offer an abundance of open-ended play experiences, providing them with challenges that will build strong cognitive, physical and emotional capabilities.

We’re a beautiful established kindy located in the heart of Thorndon, providing a homely atmosphere in rhythm with the seasons.

At Wellington City Rudolf Steiner Kindergarten, we encourage:

• Free imaginative play

Free imaginative play helps children develop cognitive and problem solving skills, creativity, imagination, self expression, concentration, investigation, language, numeracy, and social skills. Through in-depth play children to learn to work with others cooperatively, collaboratively and with initiative.

• Stability, harmony and joy

We take an unhurried approach to childhood by providing a safe and secure environment that is homely and nurturing. We believe that each stage of a child’s development has unique qualities that should be experienced fully before embarking upon the next stage.

• Warm and loving environment

We provide a warm and loving environment for our children, families, and teachers. Teachers create experiences that will meet the holistic needs of all the children.

• In rhythm with the seasons

Rhythm is an integral part of all living processes. We recognise that rhythm provides balance and ensures security for children. Quiet and active times, inward and more out¬going moods, daily and weekly rhythms flow into larger seasonal rhythms.

• Natural materials and hand-made toys

We provide a carefully considered environment that is gentle to the eye, ear and all the senses. Our playthings are from nature or are hand-made from natural materials enabling children to experience the beauty of the natural world.

• Meaningful adult activity to be imitated

During this time of young children’s learning they take in impressions from their surroundings. Therefore, we strive to provide an environment worthy of their imitation. Teachers work at real tasks, activities which the children see as necessary and fun. The children enjoy imitating them, and will often join in with the teachers.

Our environment

Our kindergarten operates on the ground floor of a remodelled turn-of-the-century house in the Wellington inner city suburb of Thorndon. The Kindergarten was founded in April 1995.

The entranceway, via a side path, leads through a gate into a garden playground set in flowers, natives, trees and shrubs. Our kindergarten room is softly coloured and welcoming. It provides a warm, homely atmosphere and is simple and uncluttered. In winter we have a cosy fire.

We strive to provide an environment that is eco-friendly and sustainable.

Providing rhythm and routine

Rhythm is important for children, protecting and supporting their life energy, bringing a feeling of well-being and joy that helps them feel secure, relaxed, and eager to play. Our kindergarten has routines and familiar events each day interwoven with thoughtfully considered changes. Although the day is planned there are always opportunities for spontaneous occasions. Te Reo Maori is incorporated sensitively into routines and experiences.

Our daily rhythm begins with inside play and an activity such as painting, bun making or drawing. A shared fruit time leads into a morning circle of songs and rhymes before morning tea. Food is, where possible, organic or bio-dynamic. Following outside play in the garden we come back inside for a puppet story and lunch.

Celebrating festivals and birthdays

Seasonal and cultural festivals are celebrated alongside children’s birthdays, giving opportunities for the children to experience giving and receiving, caring for others, a sense of belonging, being special and valued.

Discouraging screentime

Steiner pedagogy recognises that the young child builds up their picture of the world from real experiences in their everyday life. The use of computers, electronic media, and television are therefore discouraged for young children. It is considered detrimental to whole child development, physically and neurologically. In addition, it takes time away from play, development of the imagination, and social interaction.

Playgroup for 0-3 yar old's

We also provide a playgroup for 0-3 year old's which is a great opportunity to:

• observe how your child learns and grows
• share the journey with other parents
• build friendships

Our playgroups are as much fun for parents as they are for children.They combine parent support with a positive, wholesome playgroup experience.

When?

• Monday 9.30am – 12pm
• During school term times

Where?

• Wellington City Rudolf Steiner Kindergarten10 Davis Street, Thorndon, Wellington

Who for?

• Children from birth to 3 and their parents (caregivers)
• The playgroup is open to all families whether interested in pursuing Steiner Education or other programmes.

For your child

Our age-appropriate, unpressured programme supports the development of:

• senses and motor skills
• concentration and impulse control
• friendship and accomodation of others
• oral and manual skills
• communication

We’d love to meet you and show you around our beautiful little kindy. Book a visit today to secure your place.

Hill Street Early Childhood Centre is a non-profit early childhood service providing quality education and childcare in Thorndon—an inner-city suburb of Wellington, New Zealand. 

As a non-profit group the centre is owned and governed by the families whose children attend. We cater for 25 children, from 10-months to school-age. All of our teachers are fully qualified and registered, and we have very high teacher: child ratios.

At Hill Street ECC we understand that your child needs a secure and stimulating environment in which to grow and learn. Our centre provides a warm, nurturing, multi-cultural community where your child can develop into a happy and confident learner. 

Children have access to Hill Street’s large, natural outdoor play area throughout the day. We provide your children with healthy, home-cooked meals. We take full advantage of our city location by offering regular excursions to nearby parks, gardens, libraries, art galleries, and museums. 

Children are enrolled on a full-time basis. Having a small, close-knit group of children helps create a warm family environment and is one of the unique strengths of our centre. Because we are a non-profit charitable organisation, 100% of your fees go directly toward running and maintaining the centre.