Eastbourne Early Learning Centre
Enrolment offer
Receive 50% off fees for 3 months for 2-6 year olds. T&C's apply.
Kia ora!
Kia ora!
About this centre
Nestled in the heart of the Eastbourne community, our centre offers a warm, nurturing environment where tamariki are known, valued and supported to thrive. As a smaller centre, we are able to build strong relationships with children and whānau, creating a genuine sense of belonging and allowing our kaiako to provide personalised support for each child's learning journey.
Learning through play is at the heart of what we do. Tamariki are encouraged to explore, discover and follow their interests through hands-on experiences, sensory play and meaningful interactions with the world around them. Our natural outdoor environments provide endless opportunities for adventure, creativity and exploration, while regular bush walks, visits to local parks and community excursions help children develop confidence, curiosity and a strong connection to the place they call home.
We also provide nutritious meals each day, including a cooked lunch, and support tamariki with a smooth transition to school when they are ready for their next adventure.
ERO report
0–6 years
Individualised support, guidance and resources
Enrolment offer
Receive 50% off fees for 3 months for 2-6 year olds. T&C's apply.
Flexible hours
Open 7:30am - 5:00pm with part or full day options
Nutritious meals
Healthy kai made fresh each day, including lunch and morning & afternoon tea.
Large outdoors
Spacious, secure and fun environment
Expertise and knowledge
Experienced in early learning for over 55 years
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More about us
Convenience
Our aim is to create the best conditions for your child's learning, wellbeing and care. We also know how important it is to give you the convenience you need and reassurance that your child is in safe hands. Our central Muritai Rd location, loving team and tailored environment are all waiting to be discovered by your family/whānau.
Storypark - our online parent communication tool, is just one of the ways we try to make things a little easier for parents to stay in touch. Local excursions, delicious meals and fun activities are just the beginning when it comes to being the best we can be for your child.
Engaging environment
Our happy and nurturing environment will inspire, stimulate and empower your child to learn in their own unique way. The outdoor spaces challenge and excite the imagination, while our spacious and light filled indoor areas offer room for reading, rest, and engaging indoor learning experiences. Our children love the sandpits, waiata and the many natural play areas they have to discover.
Connecting with the outdoors
We only know who we are, by knowing where we come from. That's why building a strong connection with nature and our local community is so important. We believe it helps your child develop a sense of belonging and identity and positively influences their learning experiences.
We're so lucky to have so many wonderful options on our doorstep here in Eastbourne. We grow our own vegetable and herbs in our garden and go on community excursions to the local library, and local schools Muritai and San Antonio.
Nutrition and wellbeing
We know that good nutrition is an important part of your child’s wellbeing, learning and growth. At our Eastbourne centre, tamariki enjoy balanced, nutritious meals and morning/afternoon teas throughout the day, helping them feel energised, focused and ready to learn and play. Children also love being involved in food experiences, including using fresh herbs and vegetables grown at the centre in our baking and cooking.
Our meals are prepared by onsite cooks who hold food safety and hygiene certificates and follow Ministry of Health food guidelines. We work with families to ensure any allergies or dietary needs are carefully managed.
Care that grows with your child
We recognise that tamariki at different ages and stages have very different needs. That’s why our approach early learning evolves as your child grows, ensuring they feel safe, supported and confident every step of the way.
We also take the time to get to know each child and their whānau from the very beginning. During the onboarding process, our kaiako work closely with parents and caregivers to understand each child’s individual needs, routines and preferences, helping us create a smooth, familiar transition into care.
For our pēpi and toddlers (0–2 year olds)
Our youngest tamariki are nurtured in calm, secure and responsive environments, with dedicated kaiako who specialise in caring for this age group. We focus on building strong, trusting relationships, as this is the foundation for all future learning and wellbeing.
Pēpi have their own thoughtfully designed spaces, with cosy areas for rest, bespoke cots, and age appropriate resources that support early movement, sensory exploration and discovery. Barnardos Early Learning services offer safe outdoor areas, so they can begin to explore the natural world in a gentle and supported way.
Our routines are flexible and guided by each child’s individual rhythms, ensuring their needs for sleep, nourishment and comfort are always prioritised.
For our older tamariki (3–6 year olds)
Our older tamariki are supported to become more independent, confident and socially connected learners.
They enjoy access to larger indoor and outdoor environments, including adventurous playgrounds that encourage physical activity, creativity and problem solving. Kaiako continue to guide and extend their learning, while also allowing space for child led play, friendships and exploration.
At this stage, there is a strong focus on building skills that support school readiness, such as communication, self regulation, resilience and curiosity, all within a fun and engaging environment.
We’re always happy to talk through how we support each age group, and what this looks like in our centre.
Feel free to get in touch or come in for a visit, we’d love to show you around and chat about how we can support your child’s learning journey.
Supporting the transition to school
We support tamariki to feel confident and ready for school by gradually building their independence, self regulation skills, social competence and love of learning. This includes everyday skills like caring for themselves, making choices, problem solving and working alongside others. As children get closer to starting school, our kaiako work closely with parents, whānau and, where possible, local schools to ensure a smooth and positive transition. We share information, encourage school visits, and tailor support to each child so their move to school feels familiar and well supported.
We’d be happy to talk more about how we support your child’s transition to school, feel free to get in touch or chat with our team.
Fees and subsidies
We want to make your child's early learning and care experience as affordable as possible. We are a not for profit organisation, so everything we do goes back into supporting your child, the centre and our community.
Our fees include:
- Quality education, care and activities provided by our team of teachers
- Healthy lunch and snacks
- Local outings
Current offer:
Receive 50% off fees for 3 months for 2-6 year olds.
T&C's:
- Offer is valid for new enrolments
- Valid for 3 months from enrolment day
- Minimum of 6 hours per day
Did you know you may eligible for fee and ECE subsidies? Talk to our Centre Manager for further information.
What's happening
Little yogis in action
Yoga and mindfulness are a regular part of our learning programme. Each week, tamariki take part in guided yoga sessions that encourage movement, breathing and relaxation in a fun and engaging way.
Through these experiences, children are developing balance, coordination, body awareness and self-regulation skills while building confidence in their physical abilities. Yoga also provides opportunities for tamariki to slow down, connect with their emotions and practise mindfulness alongside their peers. These experiences support learning through play and align with Te Whāriki, particularly the strands of Wellbeing and Exploration, as children learn about themselves, their bodies and the world around them.
Wā kōrero
Our older tamariki are currently taking part in our transition to school programme, designed to help them build the confidence and skills needed for a positive start to their school journey. Through fun, hands-on experiences, children are developing independence, social skills, early literacy and numeracy knowledge, as well as learning how to work alongside others and take responsibility for their own learning.
These experiences encourage curiosity, communication, problem solving and growing confidence, supporting tamariki to become capable and enthusiastic learners. The programme aligns with Te Whāriki, particularly the strands of Contribution, Communication and Exploration, as children prepare for their next big adventure.
Pom pom creation
Our tamariki are currently involved in a year-long pom pom project, creating their own colourful pom poms from start to finish with support from our kaiako. This ongoing project encourages children to take their time, follow a process and experience the satisfaction of completing a piece of work they can be proud of.
As children wrap, cut and create using a range of materials, they are developing fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving abilities and perseverance. The project also provides opportunities for tamariki to share ideas, express their creativity and support one another throughout the process. These experiences align with Te Whāriki through Exploration, Communication and Wellbeing as children build confidence, resilience and a sense of achievement through their learning.
Stay in touch with Storypark
We use Storypark to record and communicate learning as it happens via photos, video, audio and observations within a secure online environment. Parents and whānau can receive instant feedback and plan new ways to extend their child’s unique interests and abilities.
Read what parents say about us!
Bronwyn ChapmanAlicia Lonergan
