Wainuiomata Early Learning Centre
Affordable fees
20 free ECE hours available for 3-6 years olds.
Kia ora!
Kia ora!
About this centre
At Wainuiomata Early Learning Centre, relationships and community are at the heart of everything we do. Our centre is like one big whānau, where tamariki are surrounded by caring, hands-on kaiako who take the time to get to know each child and support them to grow in confidence, curiosity and belonging.
We love getting out and about in our local community. Whether we're visiting the library, taking part in Little Dribblers, or heading to Mitre 10 to choose plants for our gardens, our tamariki learn through real-world experiences and meaningful connections. Back at the centre, children help care for our worm farm and gardens, learning about sustainability and the world around them through hands-on exploration.
Our spacious outdoor environment provides plenty of opportunities for adventure, creativity and play, while our strong community spirit helps create memorable experiences for tamariki and whānau alike. From local fundraising efforts to special excursions, we work together to help children experience the very best of what our community has to offer.
0–6 years
Individualised support, guidance and support
Flexible hours
Open 7:30am-5:30pm with part or full day options
Affordable fees
20 free ECE hours available for 3-6 years olds.
Large outdoors
Safe, fun and spacious environment
Home packed kai
Each tamariki brings a lunchbox prepared by their whānau, filled with the foods they enjoy. We provide fresh seasonal fruit to share.
Expertise and knowledge
Experienced in early learning 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 options 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 and fun activities are just the beginning when it comes to being the best we can be for your child.
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.
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 natural play areas they have to discover.
Connecting with the outdoors
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 on our doorstep here in Wainuiomata. We grow our own vegetable and herbs in our garden and go on community excursions to the local park, library, primary school and have waipesi playdates.
Nutrition and wellbeing
Each tamaiti brings a lunchbox prepared by their whānau, filled with the foods they enjoy. We also provide fresh, seasonal fruit to share so children can enjoy a variety of nutritious foods throughout the day. We work with families to ensure any allergies or dietary needs are carefully managed.
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.
Feel free to get in touch or come in for a visit, we’d love to show you around and chat about how we can support your child’s learning journey.
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 snacks
- Local outings
Did you know you may eligible for fee and ECE subsidies? Talk to our Centre Manager for further information.
What's happening
Manaakitanga & Tuakana-teina
Our tamariki have been showing wonderful examples of Manaakitanga and Tuakana-Teina as they explore and play together.
Manaakitanga is about kindness, caring for others and making people feel welcome. We see this every day as tamariki share, take turns, support their friends and celebrate each other's successes.
Tuakana-Teina is the relationship between older and younger children, where learning happens through helping, guiding and learning alongside one another. Our older tamariki show patience, gentleness and leadership as they support younger children, while our younger tamariki gain confidence through these positive relationships.
These meaningful interactions help create a caring learning environment where everyone feels valued, included and connected.
Little Dribblers
Little Dribblers gives tamariki the opportunity to get active, build confidence and have fun with their friends. Through soccer-based activities, children are developing coordination, balance and ball skills while learning the importance of teamwork and cooperation.
Whether they are passing the ball, cheering on a teammate or celebrating a goal, tamariki are building communication skills, friendships and confidence through play. These experiences support learning across Te Whāriki, particularly Wellbeing, Communication and Contribution.
Kaitiaki of the worm farm
As kaitiaki of our worm farm, tamariki take pride in caring for our wriggly little helpers. Children help feed the worms, add natural materials to their habitat and learn about the important role worms play in caring for the environment.
These hands-on experiences spark curiosity and encourage tamariki to ask questions, make discoveries and develop their own ideas about the natural world. Along the way, they are building a sense of responsibility, learning to work together and developing an appreciation for caring for living things. This learning aligns with Te Whāriki through Exploration and Contribution as children connect with and care for the world around them.
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!
Lauren MumfordLauraWe’ve been to three different kindergartens in our toddler lives, and this is the best one by far. Experienced and professional staff take great care of the children.
V IAngie Dean
