About Us
Your Child's Home Away From Home
Offering child care services since April 2009, Kidlywinks Childcare is a family owned and operated day care and early learning centre located in Trentham, Upper Hutt. We provide preschool and day care services to families of children aged 3 months to 5 years.
Our Mission
At Kidlywinks we strive to cater to the individual learning and development needs of each child in our care.
We aim to provide the highest level of child care and education for your child (from 3 months to 5 years) within a relaxed, loving and healthy atmosphere. Providing a feeling of acceptance and belonging enables individual children to feel safe and secure in order to be able to express themselves in a positive and productive manner.
Our centre is operated by qualified staff who are passionate about children's early learning and development.
Our Philosophy
ko te ahurei o te tamiaiti arahia o tatou mahi/ let the uniqueness of the child guide our work
Whakamana/Empowerment
Kaiako will provide a learning environment in which tamariki are encouraged and supported to discover as much as possible on their own. We recognise that tamariki who achieve through their own experiences acquire knowledge that is different to tamariki who are offered ready made solutions. By providing a learning environment where tamariki are encouraged to explore through freedom to make choices, we believe they experience the world in their own terms with the support, encouragement and guidance from kaiako. Tamariki and whānau will experience a environment where play-based learning is valued.
We believe tamariki learn and grow in a holistic way. their intellectual, social, cultural, physical, emotional and spiritual learning is interwoven across all their experiences. We believe in the concept of ako and we acknowledge that whānau, Kaiako and tamariki can both teach and learn from each other trough shared learning experiences. We will provide tamariki with opportunities to engage in all curriculum areas regardless of weather, utilising the gifts we receive from Ranginui and Papatūānuku.
Whānau tanagata/Family and community
We will provide a korowai manaaki (cloak of welcome and care) for all whānau and tamariki who attend our centre. We believe in creating a safe inclusive space for all whānau. Regardless of race, gender age, ability, social status or whānau structure. Our vision is to ensure each child has a place and a sense of belonging here at Kidlywinks. We value the different gifts that each child and their whānau bring to our community and embrace the different cultures represented at Kidlywinks.
Ngā hononga/Relationships
We will provide an environment where respectful relationships, encouragement, warmth and acceptance are the norm. Tuakana/teina relationships will be fostered within the centre and the tamariki will be encouraged to work collaboratively to help and support one another.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Te Tiriti o Waitangi is the foundation for a partnership that is inclusive of all children and their families.
partnership: we will develop authentic meaningful relationships with whānau. We will collaborate and communicate with the whānau of the tamariki and involve whānau within decision-making by listening to and incorporating their voices. We believe building relationships of trust with whānau will lead to their involvement within the centre's programmes.
Protection: We will show our commitment by protecting Māori knowledge, interests, values and other tāonga, identity, language, and culture are important expressions of what it means to be a culturally located learner. We have a commitment to "knowing, respecting and valuing where students are, where they come from and building on what they bring with them". We will weave te reo Māori knowledge me ona tikanga through our daily curriculum.
Participation: We believe by working on strong partnerships, participation will happen organically. We all come from a place of honesty and wanting to make a difference for all tamariki and will demonstrate commitment, honour, faith and respect towards everyone.
Our Facilities
Kidlywinks Childcare is located at 20 Islington Street in Trentham, Upper Hutt. We are approximately 5 minutes walk from both Trentham Train Station and the closest bus stop on Fergusson Drive.
Kidlywinks Childcare is a 'boutique' day care and early learning centre, catering to a maximum of 31 children. As a converted home, the centre offers a warm, homely atmosphere for the children in our care.
Kidlywinks Childcare features fully equipped indoor and outdoor play areas, audio visual equipment, animal enclosures and separate art studio.