Early Learning Centre Judea Tauranga

Our vision

A haven for children to Explore & Flourish the world around them, and an extension of your home.

Now open - Enrol today!

Explore & Flourish Early Learning

Explore & Flourish was created out of a love to build an environment for children to explore, challenge themselves and grow in confidence inside and out. We saw a need to create a place where children can be active, learn to live a healthy lifestyle and have the opportunity to do extra activities, leaving weekends free for the most important time - Family time.

healty heart award Judea Preschool Tauranga Judea Tauranga Kindy
Judea Tauranga Child Care healty heart award
Early Learning Centre Judea Tauranga Early Learning Centre
Judea pre-school Explore and Flourish

Explore & Flourish was set up to create a haven for children where they flourish. Where they participate in activities that they love.

We offer a safe and nurturing environment where tamariki can naturally challenge and extend themselves while becoming confidently connected with the world around them.

Our centre will follow the Principles, Strands and Goals of Te Whaariki - He Whaariki Mataranga mo nga mokopuna o Aotearoa - The Early Childhood Curriculum.

  • We value being healthy and fit and trying new things through exploration and gentle guidance.
  • We want to create life-long learners that are connected to the world around them and who are willing to take up opportunities and challenges that are offered to them. Tamariki know that they can make mistakes because they understand that it is how we learn.
  • At Explore & Flourish tamariki will make lasting memories while fostering strong relationships with both their peers and kaiako.
  • We want the tamariki to be themselves, do what makes them happy and follow their interests.
  • We value the importance of being able to offer experiences and activities for tamariki that target their interests to encourage their love for exploring and learning about the world around them. We see the value in both planned and spontaneous experiences to promote and develop tamariki and their learning.

Our kaiako are well qualified, highly motivated and skilled. They bring a wealth of Early Childhood experiences, cultures and philosophies which underpin the Explore & Flourish day to day practice. They strive to provide stimulating provocations that encourage risk taking and curiosity.

Meet the team

Our teaching staff are passionate about making meaningful teaching moments, following the children’s passions, all while developing loving, trusting relationships.


staff member Charlie

Charlie Cook

Centre Manager
staff member Shavaughn

Shavaughn Vaega

Team Leader in Whare Pua (under 2)
staff member Kyla

Kyla Kealey

Teacher in Whare Pua (Under 2)
staff member Neeti

Neeti Pathak

Teacher in Whare Pua (Under 2)
staff member Pip

Pip

Teacher in Whare Pua (Under 2)
staff member Linda

Linda Simons

Teacher in Whare Pua (Under 2)
staff member Mary

Mary Collier-McDonald

Team Leader in Whare Kaitoro (over 2)
staff member Gloria

Gloria Menezes

Teacher in Whare Kaitoro (over 2)
staff member Gemma

Gemma Nicholl

Teacher in Whare Kaitoro (over 2)
staff member Degen

Degen Prodger

Teacher in Whare Kaitoro (over 2)
staff member Alison

Alison Murray

Teacher in Whare Kaitoro (over 2)
staff member Leah

Leah Rattray

Relieving Teacher
staff member Linda

Linda Barclay

Kitchen Manager

Whānau information

Useful information for parents and navigating your way around our preschool. Plus some handy downloadable references.


Open Door Policy

We operate an open-door policy, where whānau are welcome into the centre at any time. Whānau participation sends strong positive messages to your tamaiti that you support them and are part of the child care environment.

Settling Period

During enrolment we try to understand and learn as much as possible about each tamaiti. Their strengths, challenges and interests which helps with the settling period. Tamariki and whānau are more than welcome to visit the centre prior to attending.

Parent Participation

We use Storypark as an online platform to share in the learning of tamariki during their time at our centre. Tamariki also have a portfolio full of great learning stories. We do frequent excursions and for those who are able, we welcome whānau participation.

Early Learning Centre Judea Tauranga

Hours

The centre is open Monday to Friday from 7.30 am – 5:30 pm. We will be closed on public holidays.

Programme

Our centre provides child-centred developmental programmes. The programming is based on observing children regularly, evaluating their needs and planning activities from these observations. We aim to develop programmes to meet the children’s needs and therefore enhance individual development. Each child will be guided to develop at an individual pace according to his or her unique, individual way. Programmes are evaluated regularly and are founded on the guiding principles of Te Whaariki, the Early Learning Curriculum of the Ministry of Education.

Early Learning Centre Judea Tauranga

Our practices reflect the multicultural heritage of our community and we respect gender diversity. We recognise that early learning education facilitates the development of confidence, independence, and an interest in learning for our tamariki. Indoor and outdoor experiences are an integral part of our programme and routine. Play is central to tamariki development by providing opportunities for both structured and spontaneous activities. Play is a child’s unique way to learn about their world. It is also a means of expressing knowledge from previous experience. We aim to provide opportunities for tamariki to play freely and have routines that give tamariki a sense of the passage of time as they move through the day.

We endeavour to provide an atmosphere that is warm, accepting and welcoming to both tamariki and whānau. Our emphasis on maintaining a home-like environment means that our tamariki are able to have opportunities to spend time in each other’s room from time to time. We are proud of our tuakana teina approach.

Activities

We have a centre van and excursions out of the centre will be arranged as part of tamaiti experience. Whānau are encouraged to be part of these outings. Permission, details of the activity, transport, cost and adult / child ratio will be given to all whānau. We go to activities such as Beach Kidz, swimming, dance, gymnastics. This is at an extra cost to whānau.

Our emphasis on maintaining a home-like environment means that although over two year old children and under two year old children have their own areas that allow the programme to be tailored to the appropriate development levels, children may make visits to other areas with their caregivers.

Early Learning Centre Judea Tauranga

Food

All of the children’s food and drink is provided by the centre. A menu is thoughtfully designed to provide nutritious meals for the children and a garden on site supports garden to table learning, empowering children to grow, harvest, prepare and share great food.

Equipment and Resources

We have chosen a wide range of developmentally appropriate equipment and resources for our centre. Tamariki are taught to be respectful of property and to care for this and our environment.

Information forms & downloads

Some handy downloadable references.

Enrolment form
Fee structure
What to bring for your child?
All about me
Storypark info sheet for families

Our fees

We are offering short and long days. The short day will conclude at 3.30pm, and there will be a late pick-up fee of $15.00 per 15 minutes past your booked pick-up time. Our fees represent high-quality teaching staff and ratios above Ministry of Education standards. Minimum enrolment is under review. We require a $50 enrolment fee payable before the start date. Fees also include the convenience of healthy snacks, lunches, nappies for those still requiring them and an array of learning resources to support your child’s needs.

UNDER 3 YEARS - Or over 3’s not taking up to 20 hours ECE

Short Day - 7 hours

  • 3 Days $157.50
  • 4 Days $196.00
  • 5 Days $227.50

Long Day - 10 hours

  • 3 Days $225.00
  • 4 Days $280.00
  • 5 Days $325.00

OVER 3 YEARS - Taking up to 20 hours ECE

Short Day - 7 hours

  • 3 Days $115.50
  • 4 Days $140.00
  • 5 Days $157.50

Long Day - 10 hours

  • 3 Days $165.00
  • 4 Days $200.00
  • 5 Days $225.00

Fees can be paid by direct debit, automatic payment and eftpos. We offer a sibling discount of 10% on the oldest child’s fees. We review our fee structure annually, and any fee changes will be made in March each year. Seasonal offsite programmes will be on offer as an optional extra and will be at an extra cost. Full fees are payable for all public holidays, and we need a two weeks’ notice of any family holiday. You can choose to apply a 50% reduction of the fee for one two-week period during the year.

Hours 7.30am - 5.30pm

FAQs + Policies

Some answers to the questions we get asked the most about.

Our centre offers the 20 hours subsidy which is provided by the Ministry of Education to all 3 and 4 year old children. To be eligible, you must complete an Attestation form which confirms your attendance and that you are not attending another Early Learning Centre at the same time as you have applied for funding at our centre. If you change your enrolment hours, you must complete another form. You may apply for this subsidy from more than one centre, but you must indicate this on your form. You may apply for the 20 hours subsidy and receive money from Work and Income, but we recommend that you discuss this with your caseworker.

Work and Income operates a subsidy for parents whose children attend the Centre. The subsidy is subject to an income qualification. Contact Work and Income for further information and forms. Full payment of fees is the caregiver’s responsibility and will be required until a subsidy has been approved.

Centre policies on safety precautions are reinforced by staff and children. Examples include:

  • The storage of chemicals in locked areas
  • We have daily hazard identification checks and regular monitoring of health and safety procedures.
  • Children’s awareness of correct use of equipment, walking inside.
  • There is always someone trained in first aid on site; first aid certificates are renewed every two years.

In case of an unforeseen emergency situation, every effort will be made to contact whānau to collect their child. Regular fire drills are necessary for regulation purposes. If you are present at a fire drill, you are required by law to participate. Emergency evacuation plans are displayed in the centre. Staff are familiar with evacuation procedures and policies. Whānau and visitors to the centre will be asked to make themselves familiar with the evacuation plan and where first aid equipment is to be found. Every effort will be made to make evacuation procedures stress free events for the children. Regular emergency procedures give the children an opportunity to become familiar with the routine and planned evacuation.

We ask that any child or adult who is unwell stays away from the centre especially at drop off and pick up of tamariki, so illness does not spread through the centre. The Manager may at his/her discretion refuse to accept any tamaiti deemed unwell enough to attend the centre. Tamariki with severe coughs or colds, vomiting, diarrhoea, conjunctivitis, rashes or raised temperatures cannot be at the centre. If symptoms develop during the day whānau will be contacted to arrange for the immediate collection of their tamaiti.

Facebook

Check out the latest happenings on our Facebook page.

Happy parents

Explore and flourish is just the most wonderful centre. I am so happy I found them! Lovely calming interior inside and an awesome outdoor play and activity area with all year round sunshine. Beautiful kind and caring owners and teachers. I am a naturopath so good clean eating was a big priority for me and the food has been outstanding! Go check it out you will not be disappointed.

Caroline Kemp

Explore and Flourish was the best daycare I fell across. My son loves it so much he never wants to come home! The teachers are fantastic and always happy to help and go the extra mile which is lovely, can’t praise you all enough.

Emmajae Claudia Robertson

Fabulous Centre full of love and laughter! It is a home away home for my two little ones, beautiful new centre with so much to offer! Amazing owner and fabulous teachers who really care about your child like they are there own, would recommend to all.

Drop-in anytime


  251b Waihi Road, Tauranga
  07 5712030
After hours - 021 434664

Drop-in anytime


251b Waihi Road, Tauranga
  07 5712030

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