Maria Andersen
Centre Manager

Ngaio

Childspace Ngaio is located at 11 Tarikaka Street, Ngaio, and offers full-time education and care for 36 children from two to five years of age. We offer an open plan, inviting centre for children that maximises the available space. Within our flexible programme we offer children many opportunities to develop independence through making choices and decisions. Children are supported, encouraged and empowered to develop a sense of responsibility and respect for their environment.

Our programme is inspired by the work of Emmi Pikler and Magda Gerber which ensures our approach towards children is one of utmost respect. This respectful approach is supported by our primary caregiving system which ensures one person within the envrionment is committed to building a close trusting relationship with each child and their family. Our primary care system makes for great communication with families on a daily basis and a secure base for children spending time away from their family during the day.

Our team of qualified teachers work within the centre each day creating learning programmes that foster childrens self directed play and an environment where the children are the masters of their own discoveries. Teachers respond by observing individual interests and planning experiences to support those interests.

We offer an innovative programming system which celebrates individual children’s interests and strengths in their journey of learning and development. Each child has a profile book which their primary caregiver adds to with stories about their interests and development. We also use an online system called Educa which means that parents have a choice if they would like to be able to access stories and photos of their children through an online system, a great way to stay in touch!

Our centre has 'parent conversations' twice each year. These are a special time when parents are invited to come and meet with their child's primary teacher.Parents share stories about their child and the teachers respond with a written summary about the childs individual learning and development in the centre over the previous 6 months. This is not to replace day to day interaction with families but to provide a focussed time to share.

Parents are also welcomed to attend workshops provided by the teaching team at Ngaio, our early childhood institute or by an outside speaker. These workshops provide new knowledge for familes and support parents in areas that are of current interest. So far we have had workshops such as, food & nutrition, self regulation, child behaviour, fathering, ukulele and much more!

Parent reflection:

"Always a very positive and caring vibe".

"I like the way the children have free range of the centre and can choose their activities both inside and outside".

"I feel really secure and happy with Childspace, our child is so happy, settled and connected to the teachers".