Hastings Early Learning Centre
Enrolment offer
Choose an offer: 50% off fees for six months for 2–6 year olds. Or 30 hours FREE for 30 weeks for 0–2 year olds. T&C's apply.
Kia ora!
Kia ora!
About this centre
At Hastings Early Learning Centre, we’ve created a warm and welcoming environment where tamariki feel safe, supported and excited to learn. Our recently renovated centre offers bright, inviting spaces designed to encourage curiosity, creativity and confidence through play.
Surrounded by nature, our centre feels like a peaceful oasis. Birds fill the trees with song, while our much-loved guinea pigs, Milo and Otis, and fish tank friends Nemo, Popeye and Jackie help tamariki develop a sense of connection, care and responsibility.
We love providing opportunities for children to explore, imagine and discover. Natural materials, open-ended resources and spacious outdoor environments encourage creativity, problem-solving and active play. Our outdoor areas offer plenty of opportunities for climbing, movement and adventure, helping tamariki build confidence and physical skills as they learn through play.
Being part of our local community is important to us. We regularly visit Hastings Library for storytime and enjoy adventures to Bill Mathews Park, where tamariki can explore, run, jump and play in a larger outdoor space. We also welcome a local Hastings Gallery artist into our centre, inspiring creativity and self-expression through hands-on artistic experiences.
At the heart of everything we do are strong relationships, a sense of belonging and a genuine love of learning.
ERO report
0–6 years
Individualised support, guidance and resources
Enrolment offer
Choose an offer: 50% off fees for six months for 2–6 year olds. Or 30 hours FREE for 30 weeks for 0–2 year olds. T&C's apply.
Flexible hours
Open 8:00am-5:00pm with part or full day options
Large outdoors
kaiako share their passion for a natural environment that supports tamariki and the wonder and discovery of nature
Transport available
Enquire about our drop off and pick up availability
Nutritious meals
Healthy kai made fresh each day, including lunch and morning & afternoon tea.
Expertise and knowledge
Experienced in early childhood 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 location, loving team and tailored environment are all waiting to be discovered by your 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 painting, waiata and the many natural play areas they have to discover.
Staff who nurture and inspire
Our qualified and experienced teachers are committed to caring for and nurturing your child. They build a strong connection with each child throughout their early learning journey and go out of their way to ensure every child feels supported and their unique needs are met.
Our teachers create positive opportunities for your child to develop physically, mentally and emotionally. They help guide your child as they navigate new friendships, master new skills and build independence and resilience to get ready for school and lay the foundations for lifelong learning.
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 Hastings. We grow our own vegetable and herbs in our garden and go on community excursions to the library, Mayfair School, Auntys Garden at Waipatu Marae, Makirikiri Stream, local landmarks and Bill Mathewson Park.
Nutrition and wellbeing
We know that good nutrition is an important part of your child’s wellbeing, learning and growth. At our Hastings 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
2-6 year olds offer:
50% off fees for six months for 2–6 year olds.
T&C's:
- Offer valid for new enrolments
- Minimum 6 hours per day
- Valid for 6 months from enrolment day
0-2 year olds offer:
Receive 30 hours FREE for 30 weeks for 0–2 year olds.
T&C's:
- Offer valid for new enrolments
- Minimum 6 hours per day
- Valid for 30 weeks from enrolment day
Did you know you may eligible for fee and ECE subsidies? Talk to our Centre Manager for further information.
What's happening
A new space to grow
Our newly refurbished learning spaces are creating exciting opportunities for tamariki to explore, create and learn through play. With open environments, dedicated learning areas and resources that children can access independently, tamariki are building confidence, following their interests and engaging in richer learning experiences every day.
Read more
Library adventures
Regular visits to our local library are a much-loved part of our learning programme. Tamariki enjoy choosing books, listening to stories and taking part in interactive storytime sessions with the librarian. These excursions help foster a love of reading, language and communication while building confidence in group settings. A visit to the park after storytime adds another layer of fun, adventure and active learning to the day.
Celebrating together
There is always something to celebrate at Hastings Early Learning Centre. From Matariki and Diwali to Barnardos Day and other special occasions throughout the year, tamariki enjoy coming together to learn about different cultures, traditions and ways of celebrating. Through stories, music, art, food and shared experiences, children develop a sense of belonging, learn about the world around them and celebrate the unique strengths and identities that make our community so special.
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!
For the past 15 years, all four of my children have individually been part of Barnardos Hastings, and the whanaungatanga, care, support, and lifelong bonds they have built there have meant so much to our whānau. I really appreciate all the staff there, past & present and we highly recommend Barnardos Hastings. 🫶🏼
JessWe love the Barnardos Centre in Hastings! Our family has had 3 kids go through the centre, including 2 from very young. The teachers have all been lovely, welcoming, and supportive of all my children.
Mary McLaughlin
They've been great communicators about the highs and lows of my kids - moods, learning, interests and concerns. Teachers are happy to hear my worries and plan with me to support each kid where they're at. The kids love their teachers and the food.
The outdoor spaces are lovely, and the team seems to make good use of community resources. The children have gone on trips to the library, played in local parks (sometimes using equipment from the council), and had visits from police, EMTs, and more to teach the kids new skills. I LOVE the different ways kids get to explore the world, books, and language (te reo, NZSL, and others)
I also appreciate how hard the team works to meet each child where they're at and work to make activities inclusive. It's not easy, but it's been so neat to see how our family (and others) develop.We are glad to enroll our daughter at Barnardos, she is very happy and enjoy going over everyday, all the teachers are very caring , respectful and welcoming
reetu sharmaLaura PallesenEmilie ValleeAshleigh Lumb
