Sunnynook Community Early Learning (SCEL) is a non-profit community mixed-aged early childhood centre. It offers all day and sessional options with children of mixed ages and provides quality early childhood education and care.

The centre’s programme is based on Te Whāriki which is the New Zealand Early Childhood Education curriculum. The centre is available to families / whanau from all areas to provide support in a friendly, caring atmosphere. Our costs are very reasonable with the aim of making our service accessible to all of the families in our community.

We are licensed by the Ministry of Education to have 25 children – 8 under two-year-olds and 17 over two-year-olds. You can access our latest ERO report on the Ministry of Education website (Sunnynook Community Creche).

PHILOSOPHY REVIEW & SCEL MIHI

Te Kaupapa – Our Philosophy

Whakamana – Empowerment

We strive to create an inclusive learning environment where every child feels comfortable, secure, and knows that they have a place. Our tamariki will know that their voices and presence are valued, and that their families, whānau, cultures, and knowledge are respected.

Kotahitanga – Holistic Development

We recognise that holistic development encompasses hinengaro (cognitive), tinana (physical), whatumanawa (emotional), wairua (spiritual) and social and cultural dimensions; and that these dimensions are interwoven and need to be viewed holistically. We strive to provide a broad, rich curriculum that enables children to grow in their capabilities across all dimensions.

Whanaungatanga – Relationships

We believe in strong relationships between children, families/whānau, educators, and our wider community. These relationships create a warm, rich, and inclusive learning community. Having authentic, reciprocal, and trust-based relationships with families and whānau enables us to gain knowledge and understanding of tamariki and meet their needs, and the aspirations held for them.

Te Taiao – Environment

We believe that everyone at our centre has a role to play as kaitiaki (guardians) of our environment. Educators will support tamariki in finding their own roles in the ecology of our learning environment. Becoming more knowledgeable and respectful kaitiaki of our environment brings hope for a world that is sustainable for present and future generations.

OUR STAFF

Our staff are all qualified and registered teachers. All of our teachers are competent and confident educators who all have many years of experience working with young children and their families.

DONATIONS

$15 per morning, $12.50 per afternoon or $35 per day. We do offer 20 free hours for children aged 3 years and over.

OPENING HOURS

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday – 9:00am to 3:30pm
Wednesday – Preschool – 8:30am to 1:00pm

BOOKINGS

We currently have a waiting list so please feel free to come in or email us and we will add you to our list. We aim to provide high quality early childhood education within our community for as many children as possible.

SESSION PROGRAM

Our programme is based on the principles and strands of Te Whāriki (New Zealand’s Early Childhood Curriculum). We encourage and support freedom of choice for our children. The way in which we do this is to set up challenging and interesting experiences for each child to enjoy and explore.

Each child learns in his or her own way. It is our role to provide an environment that encourages and supports children strengths and interests. By providing children freedom of choice we are encouraging them to take responsibility for their own learning at their own individual pace.

By supporting our children in this way we are encouraging them to become competent and confident learners. Te Whāriki, Ministry of Education, 1996.

You can contact Sunnynook Community Early Learning by phoning on 021 0275 0384 or email us at scc.creche@xtra.co.nz

We hope to meet you soon Ka Kite.

The Sunnynook Community Early Learning Team