Papakura Early Learning Centre

We are a local Early Learning Centre in the heart of our community offering all-day sessions for children aged from two to five years. We are licensed for up to 35 children and have places available now.                                                                     

30 Hours FREE - Zero Fees

We provide free early childhood education for 30 hours per week for children aged from two-five years. We want all children to be able to attend and have early learning experiences, so we offer Zero Fees, to make it affordable for everyone.

Centre Hours:

8.30am-2.30pm, Monday to Friday

Healthy morning tea provided

We offer a healthy morning tea every day for all our children, with fruit and snacks provided. We are currently a "lunch-box kindy", so children also bring in their own lunch boxes and water bottles.
    

Plenty of space to run and play

Our outdoor area is well set up for all kinds of play. There is plenty of room to run around and play, with a sandpit, slides, climbing frames and space for water play. We also have an edible garden and worm farm to encourage the children's knowledge of sustainability and growing things. There's lots of room to play indoors as well.

Our Curriculum

The curriculum is based on Te Whāriki, New Zealand's Early Childhood Curriculum.

We take a "holistic" approach to each child’s development, where we focus on social, intellectual, physical, cultural, spiritual and emotional learning. Children's emotional and learning needs are well supported by experienced and caring teachers.

There is a particular focus on children's literacy development. Teachers include a Māori perspective in the curriculum and include the use of te reo Māori in the daily programme. Children have opportunities to lead karakia, waiata and participate in kapa haka.

By weaving the Te Whāriki strands and principles together, children experience learning through playing in well-equipped, spacious indoor and outdoor environments. Children have opportunities for a wide variety of play, social interaction and imaginative, creative play. 

Mixed-age play opportunities are encouraged, valued, and support tuakana/teina relationships where the children learn together.

Our Culture

We are a multicultural centre which celebrates all cultures. At our Centre, each child is welcomed for who they are. Our staff are skilful at settling and working alongside children, following their play ideas. Whānau experience respectful relationships with kind and caring teachers who value their children. 

Our team of registered teachers reflect the cultural diversity of our families and community.

Smooth Transition to School

Our hours are very similar to school hours, which helps tremendously with the transition to school, when a child is ready to start.

Conveniently close to Kelvin Road School 

We are located right behind Kelvin Road school, so for families with older children who attend there, school drop-offs and pickups are easy to manage because we are so close and our times are coordinated with the school. It also makes the transition to school even easier when the time comes.

Family Support Services

Our Early Learning Centre is part of Papakura Family Service Centre - also known as the 'Whanau Centre' - which offers free counselling and support services for families, along with the HIPPY programme. 

All our ELC families can make use of these free community services. 

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