A haven for children to Explore & Flourish the world around them, and an extension of your home.
Now open - Enrol today!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.
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.
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.
Our teaching staff are passionate about making meaningful teaching moments, following the children’s passions, all while developing loving, trusting relationships.
Hi, I’m Anita and have been working alongside tamariki and whānau for many years. I hold a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) and a Level 5 Diploma in ECE. I am also a SPACE facilitator and have raised five awesome daughters. I can now also lay claim to gorgeous grandchildren. I believe parents know their children best and I feel it is a privilege that you might choose us to care for and guide your child’s learning journey.
Tamariki are taonga and respectful practice is the cornerstone of my teaching philosophy. I love to laugh and have fun and I think the key to good relationships is partnering with whānau to share and develop wonderful learning outcomes for children. I love spending quality time with family and friends, travel, gardening and reading. I would love to hear what you like doing in your spare time.
Kia Ora Koutou. Ko Kristi toku ingoa. My husband and I are the proud parents of two fabulous children and grandparents of beautiful tamariki. I have been teaching for many years now, the last 10 or so in the Homebased sector. I am passionate about play based learning and loose parts exploration. I believe strongly in teaching our local curriculum and believe that strong, true relationships are the foundation for great learning. I hold a Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood) and a Graduate Diploma in Primary Teaching. I am also a first aid course trainer.
In my spare time, I like to walk, draw, and go rallying. I am excited to be a part of Explore and Flourish and look forward to sharing our haven with you and your whanau.
Kia Ora, Hello, Ni hăo, Talofa, Namaste. My name is Paige. I’m looking forward to getting to know you and your tamaiti. We shall have some fun and laughs together and I’m sure love will grow too.
I moved here to the sunny BOP from windy Wellington to be closer to family and in search of a fresh start. I have two adult children. I have a Bachelor of Teaching ECE and am enjoying the challenge of stepping in to a leadership role.
I love to cook, read, garden, watch movies, listen to music and spend time with loved ones. I will sing, dance and play with your children, but we will also learn new things, while we are having fun.
Hello my name is Rachael and I am a newly qualified ECE teacher (having completed my degree in November last year). I enjoy being active and outdoors and especially love getting my craft on and being creative. This position enables me to have the best of both worlds and I am loving it!
Kia Ora, my name is Olivia and I’m 22 years old and have been living in Tauranga for the past 14 years. I enjoy working with young tamariki and creating provocations so they can explore and develop their interests.
My name is Shyla and I am passionate about children and working alongside them. I began my teacher training at Toi Ohomai in February 2021 and feel very lucky to have the opportunity to work with and learn from the wonderful teacher’s here at Explore &Flourish.
Hi I’m Lorna. I am a primary trained teacher but am loving the transition to ECE, this is my 2nd year of teaching but I have always worked with children in one way or another before completing my degree. I enjoy the outdoors, travelling (when we can again), spending time with family, being at the beach and nature in general and I LOVE cats!
Kia ora! My name is Jaz, I have recently moved to Tauranga after completing a Bachelor in Primary School Teaching at Waikato University. I am loving the transition into Early Childhood teaching. One of my passions is dancing and I have been involved in dancing since a young age and have also taught dance, this is a skill I bring with me to the centre.
My name is Linda and I have recently moved back to the beautiful Bay of Plenty from Auckland. I have many years of experience working in kitchens both within ECE and as a chef while travelling the world. I am enjoying being part of the team here at Explore & Flourish and am relishing the opportunity to share my passion for food with tamariki.
Kia Ora I’m Michelle, I am the Mum of two grown children and live in Tauranga. I enjoy the beach, walking and spending time with family and friends. I have worked within the administration sector for the majority of my working life and am relishing the challenge that early childhood admin is bringing to my world.
Useful information for parents and navigating your way around our preschool. Plus some handy downloadable references.
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.
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.
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.
The centre is open Monday to Friday from 7.30 am – 5:30 pm. We will be closed on public holidays.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Some handy downloadable references.
Enrolment formWe are a full day service (6.5 hours minimum) and do not offer short days or sessions. 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 to process all enrolments. 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.
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 February each year. Seasonal offsite programmes will be on offer as an optional extra and will be at an extra cost. We are open for the Christmas period and like other public holidays, normal rates will apply.
Hours 7.30am - 5.30pm
Some answers to the questions we get asked the most about.
Centre policies on safety precautions are reinforced by staff and children. Examples include:
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.
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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.
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.
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.
The team at Explore and Flourish do a wonderful job with my toddler. He walks in the door each morning with a big smile and happily waves me goodbye as I leave. He loves his teachers and the imaginative activities that they create for him to take part in. My return to work has been made so much easier because I have every confidence in the staff’s abilities to lovingly care for, educate and feed my boy. They have worked really hard to get to know him as an individual and support him to feel safe and happy at the centre. They really do feel like part of the family
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