TODDLER IN TOW Keeping Porirua parents in "the know" on what our city has on offer!
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Childcare Options in Porirua

From in-home care to nation-wide early childhood education centres, Porirua has a range of childcare options to suit individual each family's needs. Please contact me if you know of other options to add! toddlerintow@gmail.com.
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20 Hours Free Early Childhood Care
From 1 July 2010 all three, four and five-year old children are able to go to early childhood education (ECE) services for six hours a day, 20 hours a week at no charge. 20 Hours ECE applies to all teacher-led ECE services, kōhanga reo and Playcentres.
For more information download the PDF fact Sheet to the right or see the Ministry of Education's Website.
20_hours_ece_fact_sheet.pdf
File Size: 78 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Mana Early Learning Centre, Mana

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30 Marina View, Mana
(04) 233 1233
office@manaelc.co.nz
www.manaelc.co.nz
"Mana Early Learning Centre is a brand new Early Learning Centre, open since June 2009.  Our Centre is a superb facility; warm, light, spacious, highly resourced, and fun to be in.  We have four separate rooms for the children, so that all can grow and develop in an age-appropriate environment.  We cater for 50 over two year olds and 25 under two year olds, 75 children in total. We have 4 Separate rooms for our different age groups. Two in the over two's and Two in the under two's." (Copied from Mana ELC website & facebook page)

Pauatahanui Preschool

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12B Paekakariki Hill Rd, Pauatahanui
04-234 7372
Website
Email: 
office@pauatahanuipreschool.co.nz
The Preschool is a community-based preschool intended for rural children, which operates independently from Pauatahanui School, but shares the school campus, and has a close and happy relationship with the school.

The centre provides excellent preschool care and education for all preschool children over two years of age, with high teacher ratios and glowing ERO (Educational Review Office) reports. The centre has a spacious open plan indoor area with great resources, and a large, safe outdoor area which includes a giant sandpit, slide, swings, fort and a level grass area which all lead young imagination in play.

The preschool is managed in its entirety by a voluntary management committee of centre parents, who are elected each year in March. This committee works closely with the centre supervisor/head teacher, Chris Nolan, to ensure the smooth running of the centre on all levels including staff/teaching contracts, ministry requirements/regulations and financial auditing.
The centre joined the free early childhood education government scheme in February 2008 (better known as 20 free hours), which entitles all 3 and 4 year olds to 20 free hours free childcare per week. Normal fees, with partial funding as per all preschool centres, apply to all children under 3 years old, and to children aged 3 and 4 who attend for more than 20 hours per week. The centre is open full days, 9am -3pm Monday-Thursday and 8.30am - 12.45pm on Fridays.

Leaps and Bounds, Grenada

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39 Grenada Drive
(04) 477 0582
grenada@leapsandboundselc.co.nz
Website
When it comes to deciding what is best for you and your child, you are the expert. Trust your instincts to help you decide what you value and what care situation will best meet your child’s needs.  At the Leaps and Bounds Early Learning Centre and daycare we will provide a warm, caring, family environment striving for high quality care and education for infants and pre-schoolers. Our partnership with parents as first teachers is recognised and the relationship between teacher, child and parent is fostered.

Our childcare centre is a purpose built, state-of-the-art facility. We have been open since April 2013 and have made steady progress in providing an ELC in Wellington which provides an awesome stimulating programme and opportunities for your children.  We pride ourselves in providing large working spaces for the children as well as the teachers.

The daycare has a large playground, providing outdoor opportunities and challenges to complement the inside environment.  Children are able to explore in the natural environment and help feed the worms and planting our gardens with food to be used in the kitchen.  Their imagination has unlimited opportunities as they chose which sandpit they would like to play in and tunnels to explore and hide in. (Information copied from website)

Kindercare, Aotea

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41 Aotea Drive, Aotea
04 237 7937
Website
aotea@kindercare.co.nz
"Our curriculum is all about ensuring that young children reach their full
potential through the outstanding care and education that we provide. We don't
fit your child into our education program, we adjust our program to meet their
needs. Through our care and education, children don't just learn, they have fun
learning!" (Information copied from website)

Reggio Bambini

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Private Preschool & Infant Centre
24 Main Road, Outlet City, Tawa.
Phone: 04 2323093
www.reggiobambini.nz

We invite you to visit our beautiful centre – a calm happy environment for children 3 months to 5 years providing preschool and childcare from 7.30am to 6pm.
Our large indoor play rooms are full of exciting natural resources, toys and activities and provide good visibility by teachers of all children at all times as safety is paramount.
As we are a small centre we are able to provide a programme that caters for the individual needs of your child with activities stemming from the individual interests of the children attending giving a more personal touch.
Observations by teachers and input from parents is noted and is and used to design goals and strategies to extend your child’s further learning and development.  Our curriculum is based on the New Zealand Te Whariki and Reggio early childhood curriculums with a strong emphasis on creating an environment for children to learn whilst having fun and enjoying what they are doing.
We offer meals, three individual sleep rooms for quality uninterrupted sleeps by all children, a preschool programme, a separate  art room, activity areas for play both inside and outside along with a large sandpit, climbing structures and cycle track.

Please call us to view when looking for a preschool or childcare:  04 2323093 www.reggiobambini.nz

Countrylife Daycare

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Countrylife Daycare
83 Woodburn Drive, Takapu Valley Wellington
Phone: 04 232 3245 or 021 467 110
cid@countrylifedaycare.co.nz

www.countrylifedaycare.co.nz

"We are a purpose-built and privately owned Early Learning Centre which caters to young children from the ages of 9 months to 5 years of age.  We choose to only have a maximum of 30 children at any one time, with our hours being 7:30am to 6:00pm.
We provide large indoor and outdoor facilities so that each child may grow into well grounded independent individuals with a strong nurturing support from all our teachers.

We believe in a positive attitude towards life with strong life skills in nurturing, social interactions and healthy eating habits. We have an experienced chef who provides all our meals for our children to ensure a well balanced diet each day.

Our children have interactions with different farm animals, plus growing their own vegetables in our vegetable garden. This helps children with an understanding of how to care for the animals, plus tend to the vegetables and see how they grow.

Our centre has an 'open door' policy which we encourage from all parents to participate in their childrens learning. Each child has a portfolio, which is a great tool to enable each parent to reflect on their child's learning and development."


Grow N Learn

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OPENING 21st JAN 2014. 

20 Awarua Street, Elsdon, Porirua. 
0279058538
growandlearn@xtra.co.nz
Facebook

A centre that focus's on quality child care!!!!! We are licensed for 26 children aged 3 months to 5 years, as we believe in siblings being able to interact and feel safe in the knowledge they are together. A newly renovated centre, with a highly experienced Manager who wants to make a positive difference to the life of children and their families!! Limited spaces available!! 
For more information or for an enrolment pack, Email growandlearn@xtra.co.nz or call / text 0279058538 with your requirements and basic details.

KiwiOz Childcare - nannies & educators

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"KiwiOz Childcare aims to find the right nanny or educator for your family throughout Auckland & Wellington. You will receive a personal service from our recruitment team,  Our skilled & experienced nannies and educators offer quality childcare for your little ones in the home setting. Families with children under 5 years are able to sign up to our Hop Skip Learn programme. This not only saves you money but provides assurance that your children are in the best quality care as we have a visiting Early Childhood or Primary Teacher who visits with your children once per month"

Contact details: 

Office: 04 889 2212 
www.kiwiozchildcare.co.nz
info@kiwiozchildcare.co.nz

First Five Childcare Centre, Porirua

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First Five Childcare Centre
8 Upper Main Drive
Porirua Hospital
 
www.firstfivechildcare.co.nz
firstfiveinc@xtra.co.nz
Phone: 04 237 4093
Opening Hours: 7:30am - 5:25pm Monday to Friday
 
"First Five is a community-based, not-for-profit early childhood centre that provides education and care for children aged between 4 months and 5 years. Our role of 24 is split into two groups of 16 children aged over two and 8 children aged under two.
Our philosophy is based on the principle of partnership between parents/whānau and teachers to provide a child-initiated curriculum. First Five has a highly experienced and well-qualified teaching team of 7, with a very low turnover of teachers. The centre operates a ‘primary caregiver’ system to ensure children’s individual wellbeing and to develop and promote relationships between teachers and children and their families. The curriculum is carefully planned and is based on the principles of Te Whâriki and Kei Tua O Te Pai, to foster each child’s development with care and education elements intertwined to promote holistic development. First Five Inc. is committed to children feeling safe, enjoying their experiences and having fun at the centre.
 
First Five Childcare Centre is conveniently located in the grounds of Porirua Hospital, just minutes from Porirua city centre and railway station or State Highway One into Wellington.  
Feel free to call us and arrange a time to visit. We would be pleased to show you around and answer any questions you may have."

Homegrown Kids

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http://www.homegrownkids.co.nz/
Freephone 0508 44 5437
"At HGK, we provide Home-Based Childcare for your pre-schooler in either your
place or one of ours. Our website is the most comprehensive source of
information you will find when looking for care for your child. We can provide
you with assistance on everything you need to know about child care, and our
service is FREE. No joining fees and no hidden costs. We have plenty of Families at Home Grown Kids that share a Nanny to help with the cost."

Porse Mana

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Unit 2 Bridgepoint Complex, 15 Marina View, Mana
(04) 233 0494
mana@porse.co.nz
http://www.porse.co.nz/node/99
"Whether you choose a Nanny or Home Educator, you can have peace of mind that your child and educator through the PORSE Programme will experience a safe and stimulating environment that will support their early learning and development." (copied from Porse website)

Bronwyn's Place, Titahi Bay

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11 Dimock Street, Titahi Bay
(04) 236 7227
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday, 7am-6pm
Bronwyn’s Place is a privately owned company providing preschool care and education to children from 0 to 5 years. They have two centres on the same premises; one catering for under 2’s, the other for over 2’s. The centre has been in operation since 1991.

Sand Dunes, Plimmerton

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 5 Northpoint Street, Plimmerton
(04) 233 8839
"We pride ourselves in providing a tidy, organised and stimulating environment that is rich in literacy and creativity. We believe in providing an environment that is child initiated, developmentally appropriate yet challenging in body and mind. Our indoor environment is warm, welcoming, busy yet calm and expresses a home like atmosphere. The environment is set up to encourage a choice of core play experiences where play and creativity is encouraged constructively. We believe children’s play is their “work” and so value the importance of free play in a safe and secure environment." (Copied from Sand Dunes website) 

Educare Adventure, Whitby 

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Educare Adventure:
0800 4 EDUCARE
34 Resolution Drive, Whitby
www.educare.co.nz

Educare Adventure pride themselves on quality childcare with a strong emphasis on safety and nature within a whānau environment. Educare recognises the importance of providing care and education for children in their early years that encourages them to develop foundation life skills through "Learn, Laugh, Play". 
Our Whitby centre is coming in early 2017. Please contact us onadmin@educare.co.nz for enrolment information

Paremata Plunket Creche, Whitby

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Whitby Civic Centre, Discovery Drive, Whitby (next to the library)
(04) 234 1690
paremataplunketcreche@xtra.co.nz 

Monday-Friday 8:30am - 2:30pm or 8:30am – 12:30pm
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"Providing quality early childhood education for children aged from 12 months old. Sessions available Monday – Friday. Casual sessions available too. Get in now while the waiting list is short!"
Click here to Reply or Forward

Mana Montessori Preschool

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1 Albatross Close, Whitby
(04) 234 1489
mana.montessori@xtra.co.nz
http://www.manamontessori.school.nz/

"Mana Montessori is a high-quality, community-owned, parent-run, teacher-led early childhood education service. We have been serving families in the Porirua Basin for over 25 years. We meet the needs of children from 3 to 6 years of age. We are located in the middle of Endeavour Park, Whitby and offer a very attractive and stimulating learning environment, both inside and outside. Teachers nurture a love of learning with very careful planning for individual children. The curriculum is responsive to each child and stimulates children’s learning. There is deliberate teaching of science, maths and literacy. Children are helped to be confident, independent and respectful and to interact positively with others. Transition to school is very well managed. Please contact us to arrange a time to visit and have your questions answered." - information provided by Mana Montessori Preschool

Best Start Childcare, Tawa (2 locations)

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Community Kindy Oxford
57 Oxford Street, Tawa 
(04) 232 7021 
ck.oxford@best-start.org
Website
"Within the warm, clean and uncluttered environment of a converted 1950s villa house, Early Years Oxford street provides education and care for up to thirty children. This small centre has a fantastic family atmosphere which is apparent the minute you walk through the gate and includes fabulous, large outdoor space for children to play in and explore.  Offering a diversity of experience and cultural background within its team of teachers they are passionate in their belief that each child learns at their own pace." (Copied from Kidicorp website) 

Best Start Redwood
3 Redwood Ave 

(04) 232 6988
 ey.redwood@best-start.org 
Website 
"We are just two minutes walk from the train station and five minutes walk from Tawa shops. The complex has a unique layout where each age group is cared for in a separate centre allowing teachers to cater specifically for the individual needs of Infants, Toddlers and Preschool children. Infants Centre provides education and care for up to 21 children.  This small number allows teachers to provide a safe and nurturing environment where infants are encouraged and supported to develop at their own pace - allowing time, freedom of movement and space to ensure this is possible. Toddlers Centre caters for up to 32 children.  Teachers ensure children’s needs are being met whilst also encouraging children to become confident and competent learners through promotion of self help skills and independence." (Copied from Kidicorp website) 

Wellington Kindergartens

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Porirua has a large number of kindergartens. To see the full list click here.



Footsteps Education

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Footsteps Education Ltd
Phone: 0800 footsteps
Fax: 07 571 8031
Email: info@footsteps.co.nz
Web: www.footsteps.co.nz

 "Footsteps provides children/tamariki and their caregivers with the most nurturing, fun, and quality focused home-based early learning programme in New Zealand. footsteps is perfect for any family that wants to arrange their own care with someone they know and trust (such as a nanny, friend, relative or grandparent) and still benefit from early childhood education. 

Fully funded by the Ministry of Education, our qualified ECE teachers regularly visit your child and chosen caregiver at home, offering fun 1:1 support to enrich learning and development in these crucial early years."
(Information provided by Footsteps)

Barnardos

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0800 4 BARNARDOS
http://www.barnardos.org.nz/Care-and-Education/Care-and-Education/Introduction.htm
Barnardos provides care in both early learning centres and carers homes.
"At Barnardos we understand that your child needs a warm and happy environment in which to learn – to grow their imagination and explore new ideas. We offer both centre-based and KidStart home-based care and education for children aged from birth to five years, so you can make the right choice for your child and your family." (Copied from Barnados website)

Barnardos Early Learning Centres
- Cannons Creek, Porirua
6a Driver Crescent
(04) 237 8839
- Porirua
 24 Mungavin Avenue
(04) 237 7792 
porirua.elc@barnardos.org.nz

Ko Aroha Tuatahi Child Care Centre

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48 Rangituhi Crescent, Elsdon, Porirua
(04) 237 6532
http://koaroha.tripod.com/

"Excellent resources, a computer for the children, wonderful surroundings and experienced staff offering children a vast range of experiences that promote well-being, a sense of belonging, opportunities to support communication, contribution and exploration of all children. Individual development programmes that ensure each child is programmed for individually and take into account their own learning styles and needs." (Copied from Ko Aroha Tuatahi website)

Playcentre

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"Playcentre believes that the whole family is important, and supports both children and adults. Playcentre provides early childhood education for around 15,000 families and their children (around 20,000) between birth and school age.
Playcentres are unique within early childhood in that they are co-operatively run and supervised by parents.  Parents in turn are supported by experienced association and federation personnel."
04 237 7827
www.wellingtonplaycentre.org.nz

Titahi Bay
Titahi Bay School, Kura Street, Titahi Bay
(04) 236 8522
Monday-Friday 9am-12pm

Paremata 
Ngatitoa Domain, Paremata (Off State Highway One down Pascoe Avenue to the northern end of Ngati Toa Domain) 
(04) 233 9633
Monday-Friday 9.15am-11.45am

Cannons Creek
Te Kapua-Anga Reo
Cannons Creek School, Porirua
(04) 237 5670
Tuesday-Friday 9am-12pm

Tawa-Linden
1 Ranui Terrace, Linden, Tawa
(04) 232 4598
Monday         9.15am-11.45am Tuesday        9.15am-11.45am
Tuesday       12.15pm-2.45pm     SPACE
Wednesday  9.00am-11.30am   (under 2 1/2 years only)  &  12.00pm-2.30pm (extension session over 4yrs)
Thursday      9.15am-11.45am
Friday            9.15am-11.45am

City Junior @ Porirua City Fitness

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Located inside Porirua CIty Fitness, Walton Leigh Avenue, Porirua
(04) 2377 971
"Cityjunior is a sessional crèche providing care and education to children aged 0-5 years.  We run two sessions Monday to Friday, 9-11am and 11am-1pm.  Our service is available to both members and non-members of cityfitness. 
So pop in and have a look around!" (Information from creche) 

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