ABOUT US
A Natural & Nurturing
Learning Environment
WHY CHOOSE US
A Natural & Nurturing Learning Environment
The Children’s Garden is a trusted Early Childhood Education centre in Welcome Bay, Tauranga. We provide a warm, homely environment where children feel safe, loved, and inspired to learn through play.
Our philosophy centres on Kaitiakitanga — caring for the environment, others, and ourselves. With fully qualified teachers, bush kindy adventures, and strong community connections, we nurture every child’s unique potential.
WELCOME TO
The Children's Garden
Our Babies and Toddlers Centre on Victory Street is small and homely, catering for infants to age three, with a license for 25 children. While our Preschool centre on Pamir Place is licensed for 33 children aged three to five years, focusing on learning foundation skills. The centres are just 100m apart.
We have a strong focus on family and community and have weekly bush kindy excursions into the Johnson Reserve. These exciting outings are designed to expand the children’s knowledge of our local community and the natural world.
Natural play places provide sensory stimulation and physical diversity and can shape a child’s environmental identity and guide their environmental actions.
Our philosophy has a strong focus on free-play in a natural and nurturing environment, supported by fully qualified teachers and our on-site manager.
BUSH KINDY
Learning in Nature
Bush Kindy is an active part of our curriculum, much loved by all tamariki. Each week the oldest 12 children have the chance to go exploring for a morning, and they love it. They go rain or shine and enjoy their morning tea in the bush together before heading off to explore.
The benefits of spending time outdoors is increasingly documented, with research showing that time spent in nature can help improve academic performance, reduce stress and benefit a child’s development of strength, balance and co-ordination.
OUR MISSION
What We Stand For
The Children’s Garden aims to provide a program where the child’s development is nurtured through experiences and opportunities that will awaken their senses, stimulate their imagination and creativity by fostering an enquiring mind and a love of learning.
We seek to support and instill a sense of value and self-worth in each child as well as an acceptance and understanding of the many cultures which make up our wider community.
Our teachers are qualified professionals who are kind, responsive and fun. We guide and support learning through play-based explorations and experiences. We also place importance on our Bush Kindy, garden to plate, sustainability, community visits and our transition to school visits.
WHAT MAKES US SPECIAL
What Makes Our Centre Special?
Kaitiakitanga
Guardianship of our natural environment and sustainable practices for future generations.
Bi-Cultural Practice
Actively engaging in respectful relationships, reflecting tikanga through an inclusive programme.
Whānau & Community
A close family spirit where whānau feel an inclusive sense of belonging and connection.
Te Whāriki Curriculum
Our learning is underpinned by New Zealand's Early Childhood Curriculum framework.
OUR COMMITMENT
Nurturing Lifelong Learners
We acknowledge the importance of a close family and community spirit where whanau feel an inclusive sense of belonging. We believe children learn best where there is predictability and each child feels loved, nurtured, valued and safe.
Learning through play encourages resourcefulness, creativity and critical thinking. Our environment stimulates wonder, curiosity and a love for learning and enquiring.
We are committed to bi-cultural practice, actively engaging in respectful working relationships with all learners and their whanau, promoting Tuakana/Teina peer support, and reflecting Tikanga through an inclusive programme.
Our learning and teaching is underpinned by Te Whariki where it is visible and supports each child’s interests and development. We value our collective goal to nurture and grow responsible, respectful and caring life-long learners.
FAMILY TESTIMONIALS
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The Children’s Garden has been the most wonderful experience for our family. The teachers genuinely care about each child and create such a nurturing, natural learning environment. Our daughter has thrived in the bush kindy programme and we couldn’t be happier with the values they instill. It truly is a home away from home.