Early Learning Centre

Kura Kōhungahunga

Nestled within the expansive Chapel Downs campus, our Early Learning Centre provides a modern, nurturing environment where every child’s uniqueness is celebrated. We believe that each child brings their own talents, interests, and strengths. Our carefully designed programme fosters exploration, creativity, and problem-solving, allowing children to learn and grow at their own pace while making sense of the world around them.

What Makes Our Early Learning Centre Special

We provide a bright, modern learning environment where children are encouraged to explore their individual interests with plenty of support and guidance.

With small teacher-to-child ratios, we ensure personalised attention, fostering strong relationships and a deep sense of belonging.
Our greatest asset is our team of warm, friendly, and fully registered teachers, who are genuinely passionate about nurturing each child in a safe and supportive environment where they can thrive.

Our vibrant classroom spaces set the stage for inquiry-based learning, imaginative play, and creative expression. We also embrace a love for the natural world, encouraging children to care for plants and animals—whether tending to a vegetable garden or observing the life cycles of butterflies. Through these experiences, children not only discover more about the world around them but also develop a strong sense of Wairua (spirit) and connection to nature.

what makes our early learning centre special

Our Guiding Values

At our Early Learning Centre, we nurture key dispositions that shape our children’s growth and development.

These dispositions—Respect, Perseverance, Investigator, Team Player, Self-Manager, and Communicator, are embedded in everything we do, guiding children as they learn, play, and interact with others.

These values lay a strong foundation for lifelong learning, and as children transition to primary school, they continue to build upon and strengthen these important qualities.

Our approach ensures a seamless learning journey where children develop confidence, resilience, and the skills needed to thrive in school and beyond.

Our Vision

At our Early Learning Centre, we are committed to fostering a love for learning in a nurturing and inclusive environment.

Our vision is built on key values that shape the experiences of every child:

A Deep Value for Learning – We believe in empowering children with the knowledge, skills, and curiosity to become lifelong learners.
Language, Culture, and Identity – We celebrate and embrace the diverse backgrounds of our tamariki, ensuring that every child’s language, culture, and identity are recognized, respected, and woven into their learning journey.
Knowledge, Skills, and Growth – Our approach nurtures both foundational and emerging skills, encouraging children to explore, discover, and build confidence in their abilities.
Accessibility for All – We strive to provide an inclusive environment where every child, regardless of background or ability, has equal opportunities to participate and thrive.
Whanaungatanga, ‘Aiga, and Family Connections – Strong relationships with whānau and families are at the heart of our learning community. We work in partnership with parents and caregivers to support each child’s growth and development.
Confident Exploration – We encourage children to be curious, take risks, and engage in meaningful exploration, fostering independence and a sense of adventure in their learning.

Through these values, we create a rich, supportive, and engaging environment where every child feels valued, inspired, and prepared for the future.

Learning through Enrichment

Children take part in a variety of enriching experiences that complement our learning curriculum and broaden their understanding of the world.

These hands-on activities are designed to spark curiosity, deepen cultural awareness, and foster creativity, while supporting key learning outcomes.

Throughout the week, tamariki may be involved in:

Cooking and baking activities that build early maths, science, and self-help skills
Storytelling, drama, music, and movement sessions that nurture imagination and oral language
Pacific languages and culture, promoting pride and understanding of our diverse community
Te reo Māori and tikanga Māori, helping children grow as confident, bicultural learners
Out-of-the-gate walks to explore the wider school environment, including the hall and field
Celebrating cultural festivals from children’s home countries, supporting a sense of belonging
Gardening and planting, where tamariki learn to care for the natural world as kaitiaki
Creative art experiences that encourage expression, exploration, and problem-solving

These enrichment opportunities are woven into our weekly programme and help nurture well-rounded, joyful learners who are confident in who they are and how they learn.

Other Information

Click on the titles below to learn extra details about our centre to help keep you informed:

Social Skills

Our Early Learning Centre offers a nurturing environment that supports both the physical and emotional well-being of our children.

We encourage the development of essential social skills, including forming secure relationships, engaging positively with others, problem-solving, persistence, and conflict resolution. Through our programme, children also learn to understand, express, and regulate their emotions while building positive behaviours that support lifelong learning.

Smooth transition to school

We work closely with Chapel Downs Primary School to develop our curriculum, share resources, and implement a variety of transition-to-school initiatives.

This partnership ensures that children at our Early Learning Centre are well-prepared for their next stage of learning. Our programme also incorporates early numeracy and literacy experiences, fostering a strong foundation for future education.

Children enrolled at Chapel Downs Primary School can take part in a transition-to-school program, allowing them to visit their new classroom multiple times in the four weeks leading up to their first day. This helps them feel comfortable, confident, and excited about starting school.

Hours of operation & Location

Chapel Downs Early Learning Centre is located on-site at Chapel Downs Primary School.

As a fully licensed, full-day early learning centre, we cater to 40 children aged three to five years. We offer five full-day sessions each week, running from 8:45 AM to 2:45 PM, providing a structured yet nurturing environment for young learners.

ERO Report

The latest ERO Report for Chapel Downs Early Learning Centre was published in 2025: View here

Our fees

Our Early Learning Centre offers a Fees Free structure, which includes the government-funded 20 Hours ECE plus an additional 10 hours free, giving families a total of 30 hours of free early childhood education per week.

This means that if your child is enrolled for up to 30 hours per week, there are no fees to pay.

Enrolment

Entry is based on a waiting list, so we encourage early enrolment. For more information contact Jill Bathgate by email [email protected]

Email: Jill Bathgate [email protected]

Phone +64 9 274 8002 extn 3

Centre mobile +64 22 014 7937