About Us
Located at 20 Islington Street in Trentham, Upper Hutt, Kidlywinks Childcare is a warm and welcoming place just a 5-minute walk from both Trentham Train Station and the bus stop on Fergusson Drive.
We are a boutique preschool, offering a education and care for up to 31 children, including 10 spaces for tamariki under two years old.
Set in a lovingly converted home, Kidlywinks is a mixed licence centre and provides a homely, safe, and comfortable environment where your child can grow, explore, and thrive.
Mixed Licence
At Kidlywinks, we believe in the power of mixed-age learning. Unlike new, modern centres where children are often grouped by age, we mix all ages in our play spaces, just like a real family. We believe children learn best when they have the opportunity to interact with others of varying ages. Older tamariki naturally take on mentoring roles, while younger tamariki are inspired by their peers, fostering empathy, cooperation, and confidence. This dynamic environment encourages social skills, problem-solving, and a strong sense of community.
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Caring for Infants
At Kidlywinks, we are passionate about providing exceptional care for our infants in a warm, nurturing environment. We prioritise consistency by ensuring all our teachers are highly trained in infant care and can seamlessly support each other, creating a stable and familiar experience for your child. Inspired by the philosophies of Emmy Pickler and Magda Gerber, we incorporate key elements of RIE (Respectful Infant Educaring) into our daily routines. This approach is grounded in respect for each infant, taking the time to communicate our actions and offering plenty of opportunities for free movement, allowing them to develop physical skills at their own pace. Our goal is to support your infant’s growth and independence in a calm, thoughtful, and responsive way.
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Small Teaching Team
It is amazing the difference a small, dedicated team of teachers can make in your child's education. No more wondering who your child's teacher is; or unfamiliar faces our passionate kaiako are here to provide personalised attention and support. Experience a nurturing environment where every child and whānau feels valued and inspired. Join us today and see the impact of a committed teaching team!
Caring for Toddlers
At Kidlywinks, we place a strong emphasis on uninterrupted playtime for our toddlers, allowing them the freedom to explore, learn, and grow at their own pace. With plenty of child-directed, open-ended play opportunities, toddlers can develop their senses, physical skills, and social competencies in a safe and fun environment. Our mixed-age setting provides unique opportunities for toddlers to nurture and support younger tamariki, while also encouraging their independence and risk-taking in a positive, guided way. Daily water play, messy play, and art experiences keep our toddlers engaged, fostering creativity and supporting their learning to reach their fullest potential.
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Art Studio
Our dedicated art room is a beautifully converted garage, thoughtfully designed as a calm, inspiring space where children can explore their creativity. It offers a quiet environment separate from the main play areas, giving tamariki the freedom to express themselves through painting, drawing, building, and crafting. Children can move in and out of the space throughout the day and are encouraged to revisit unfinished projects, allowing their creativity to unfold at their own pace.
Caring for Preschoolers
At Kidlywinks, we recognise the importance of preparing our tamariki for the transition to school. That’s why we invite all our four-year-olds to take part in Preschool Time every day after lunch. During this dedicated time, our experienced teachers work closely with the children to develop key school readiness skills—including early literacy, numeracy, fine motor development, and social-emotional confidence.
Preschool Time includes activities such as scissor skills, early writing practice, board games, confidence-building games, and collaborative group work. These experiences help tamariki strengthen their focus, problem-solving abilities, and independence in a fun and supportive environment. This focused time also allows us to observe and support each child’s progress, identifying any areas where extra encouragement may be needed—ensuring that every child feels confident, capable, and excited for the next step in their educational journey.