Kia ora!
Kia ora!
About this centre
Henderson Early Learning Centre is a safe, vibrant, and welcoming space where your child will thrive and develop a lifelong love for learning.
We love to move, sing, and make noise together – dance parties are one of our favourite activities! The nature area, with a bridge leading into our native garden, is a place where imaginations run wild.
Our strong relationship with Henderson High School allows us to use their large fields for excursions.
Parents and whānau are a vital part of our team. Music sessions and shared lunches are just some of the activities our families love to participate in.
Flexible hours
Open 8:00am - 4:30pm with part or full day options
Spaces available
for tamariki 0-2 years old
0–6 years
Individualised support, guidance and resources
Nutritious meals
Healthy lunch and snacks made fresh every day
Affordable fees
20 ECE hours available for children 3-6 years old
Large outdoors
Safe, vibrant and welcoming space where your child will thrive and develop a lifelong love for learning
Expertise and knowledge
Experienced in early childhood for over 55 years
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More about us
Convenience
Our aim is to create the best conditions for your child's learning, wellbeing and care. We also know how important it is to give you the convenience you need and reassurance that your child is in safe hands. Our central location, loving team and tailored environment are all waiting to be discovered by your whānau.
Full and part day hours, and Storypark - our online parent communication tool, are just some of the ways we try to make things a little easier for parents. Local excursions, delicious meals and fun activities are just the beginning when it comes to being the best we can be for your child.
Engaging environment
Our happy and nurturing environment will inspire, stimulate and empower your child to learn in their own unique way. The outdoor spaces challenge and excite the imagination, while our spacious and light filled indoor areas offer room for reading, rest, and engaging indoor learning experiences. Our children love painting, waiata and the many play areas they have to discover.
Connecting with the community
We only know who we are, by knowing where we come from. That's why building a strong connection with nature and our local community is so important. We believe it helps your child develop a sense of belonging and identity and positively influences their learning experiences.
We’re so lucky to have so many wonderful options right here in Henderson. We love growing our own vegetables and herbs in the garden, having fun in our big sandpit, and making the most of everything our local community has to offer.
Nutrition and wellbeing
We strive to provide nutritious and delicious meals and snacks to support physical and mental development. We encourage healthy eating habits and offer a balanced menu to keep your child well fueled throughout the day. The children also love being involved and we use the vegetables and herbs we grow, in our meals.
Your child will enjoy cooked meals by our centre cook:
- Morning snack
- Lunch
- Afternoon snack
Our centre is nut free and we're happy to cater for any allergy or other dietary requirements as required.
Staff who nurture and inspire
Our qualified and experienced teachers are committed to caring for and nurturing your child. They build a strong connection with each child throughout their early learning journey and go out of their way to ensure every child feels supported and their unique needs are met.
Our teachers create positive opportunities for your child to develop physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. They help guide your child as they navigate new friendships, master new skills and build independence and resilience to get ready for school and lay the foundations for lifelong learning.
Care that grows with your child
We recognise that tamariki at different ages and stages have very different needs. That’s why our approach early learning evolves as your child grows, ensuring they feel safe, supported and confident every step of the way.
We also take the time to get to know each child and their whānau from the very beginning. During the onboarding process, our kaiako work closely with parents and caregivers to understand each child’s individual needs, routines and preferences, helping us create a smooth, familiar transition into care.
For our pēpi and toddlers (0–2 year olds)
Our youngest tamariki are nurtured in calm, secure and responsive environments, with dedicated kaiako who specialise in caring for this age group. We focus on building strong, trusting relationships, as this is the foundation for all future learning and wellbeing.
Pēpi have their own thoughtfully designed spaces, with cosy areas for rest, bespoke cots, and age appropriate resources that support early movement, sensory exploration and discovery. Barnardos Early Learning services offer safe outdoor areas, so they can begin to explore the natural world in a gentle and supported way.
Our routines are flexible and guided by each child’s individual rhythms, ensuring their needs for sleep, nourishment and comfort are always prioritised.
For our older tamariki (3–6 year olds)
Our older tamariki are supported to become more independent, confident and socially connected learners.
They enjoy access to larger indoor and outdoor environments, including adventurous playgrounds that encourage physical activity, creativity and problem solving. Kaiako continue to guide and extend their learning, while also allowing space for child led play, friendships and exploration.
At this stage, there is a strong focus on building skills that support school readiness, such as communication, self regulation, resilience and curiosity, all within a fun and engaging environment.
We’re always happy to talk through how we support each age group, and what this looks like in our centre.
Supporting the transition to school
We support tamariki to feel confident and ready for school by gradually building their independence, self regulation skills, social competence and love of learning. This includes everyday skills like caring for themselves, making choices, problem solving and working alongside others. As children get closer to starting school, our kaiako work closely with parents, whānau and, where possible, local schools to ensure a smooth and positive transition. We share information, encourage school visits, and tailor support to each child so their move to school feels familiar and well supported.
We’d be happy to talk more about how we support your child’s transition to school, feel free to get in touch or chat with our team.
Fees and subsidies
We want to make your child's early learning and care experience as affordable as possible. We are a not for profit organisation, so everything we do goes back into supporting your child, the centre and our community.
Our fees include:
- Quality education, care and activities provided by our team of teachers
- Healthy morning/afternoon tea, and cooked lunch provided by our centre cook
- Local outings
Current offer:
Receive 30 hours FREE for 2-6 year olds.
T&C's:
- For 2-6 year olds
- New enrolments only
- Minimum 6 hours per day
- Valid from first day of enrolment
- Not applicable to teen parents who are charged a GCAP rate
Did you know you may eligible for fee and ECE subsidies? Talk to our Centre Manager for further information.
What's happening
"Growing with Waste" worm farms!
We are excited to share that our Henderson Early Learning Centre has received ‘Growing with Waste” worm farm kits, bringing lots of smiles and curiosity to our tamariki We want to extend our gratitude to AMC Commercial Cleaning for including us in this initiative aimed at teaching young people about the positive potential of food waste. It has been fascinating to learn how lunchbox leftovers, art paper scraps and even teachers’ tea bags can be turned into something positive, rather than ending up in the bin. Not only is it a fun project, this hands-on-learning experience is teaching the next generation the importance of sustainability and how small actions can have a big impact. Ka pai!
Mainly Music
We love welcoming Mainly Music facilitators to our Henderson Early Learning Centre each week! Every session includes songs, rhymes, actions and movement designed to engage our tamariki in a rich learning environment. Parents and whānau are encouraged to join us to participate in the fun together.
Outdoor play just got even better
Our tamariki are enjoying a brand new outdoor play space thanks to the support of Green Acres NZ, Hire A Hubby, and FBL. With fresh turf, new decking, and beautiful gardens, the transformed environment creates exciting opportunities for outdoor play, exploration, and learning.
Read more
Stay in touch with Storypark
We use Storypark to record and communicate learning as it happens via photos, video, audio and observations within a secure online environment. Parents and whānau can receive instant feedback and plan new ways to extend their child’s unique interests and abilities.
Read what parents say about us!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Kate Dai
My daughter has been attending this childcare for four and a half years, and we’ve had such a positive experience. The teachers are caring, patient, and genuinely dedicated to the children’s growth and happiness. The environment is always welcoming, safe, and full of learning opportunities. It’s amazing to see how much confidence and independence my daughter has developed here. We’re truly grateful for the love and support from the whole team!Love this centre, my son is in this daycare since 10 months old and he is doing really well, gained great friends and is clever and confident thanks to the teachers. The teachers are amazing and very loving, nurturing. They provide proper care, focus on improving child’s social skills while teaching values and manners. We parents are fully updated of whats happening through an app. Highly recommended daycare, will be sending my second child there too.
Genda CampomanesHighly recommend this learning centre. Staff are very nice and very attentive, centre is very well kept, clean, and the learning here is brilliant! Our eldest went here and now our younger two. Daily updates and you can trust everything is done within ECE guidelines. Lovely daycare and kindergarten!
Pipi 6Fantastic centre, great staff - highly recommend! Your babies and toddlers are in good, safe, reliable hands ❤️
Leisa KalaniuvaluHighly recommended.. qualified,kind staff..
Thanuja KanakarathnaGreat school, my 2 boys have loved it since day 1, great teachers, facility and fantastic learning structure. Highly recommend.
Junior Asilusi
