Active Explorers Ashburton

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Our story

At Active Explorers we pride ourselves on our relationships with families and whānau and have a family focused culture at our centre, collaborating with parents so we can get the best learning outcomes for all children. We have over 90% qualified teachers and teachers in training who are supported by long term teacher aides.

There are 3 purpose built areas which focus on age appropriate experiences.

The Nursery/Kohanga for children aged 3mths-2 years – providing kind, caring and compassionate teaching, offering a nurturing, calm and peaceful environment.
Stepping Stones/Pohatu tunga waewae caters to our 2 and 3 years olds – focusing on building strong relationships with children so they feel comfortable exploring their environment encouraging their independence and social skills.
The Extension room/Ruma Whakawhanui for our over 4's; focuses on skills that will support a smooth transition to school. This encourages the development of independence and self help skills while fostering discovery of the world and continued exploration of play.

Our two large outdoor environments offer opportunities for exploration; teachers compliment this exploration with core curriculum activities and planned experiences ensuring our tamariki area learning through play.

We have an open door policy; we invite you to come and explore our centre with your child anytime.

ERO Report

The Education Review Office (ERO) is the New Zealand government department that evaluates and reports on the education and care of students in schools and early childhood services. ERO’s reports are used by parents, teachers, early childhood education managers, school principals and trustees, and by government policy makers.

Early childhood services are reviewed on average once every three years. Reviews will be more frequent where the performance of a school or centre is poor and there are risks to the education and safety of the students, or less frequent where a school has a stable reporting history and demonstrates good self-review processes and use of its assessment information.

You can read our centre’s ERO review here.

Centre Information

Centre Hours:

Monday to Friday: 7:30 am – 5:30 pm

Half Days/Full Days

Saturday, Sunday & Public Holiday: Closed

Ages Catered For:

3 Months – 5 Years

Testimonials

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I love the organised yet loving feel of Childs Play as soon as I entered the preschool, the children are loved as the as the individuals they are. I love the big outdoor areas, catering to different personalities with big sandpits, bars, slides etc and having the quiet and reading areas too. I am very happy with Childs Play and the programme they offer.
I stumbled across Childs Play 2 years ago when we were new to town. From the moment I walked in the doors with my 2 young kids we have been made to feel nothing but welcome, and part of a big extended family.

I find Childs Play fantastic for my girls, as there always seems to be something new and exciting for them to do and explore, but for me as a parent the thing that makes Childs play so great is the team that works there. They are a team passionate about fuelling young minds, and do a wonderful job incoaching and nurturing the children that are there with them. They show love and respect to all families, and I now consider them all a part of my family.

For me as a parent leaving my kids with anybody is a big struggle. The team at childs play take away the stress and mummy guilt, as I know my girls are as happy and as loved as they would be at home. Just knowing this makes everything that much easier.

The progress my children have made while at Childs Play is incredible. The Social interactions, structure and stimulation my children have received is invaluable and to a child trying to find their place in the world there is nothing better than that friendly face or guiding hand helping you along the way.

From the Nursery right thru to the extension room, the kids are loved and guided each day. Seeing my girl light up when she sees her favourite teacher (for that day) or her wanting to take something in to show, the stories and the cuddles she gives – shows how much this team at childs play means to her and how comfortable and happy she is to have them in her life. The team at Childs play love the kids as if they are their own and I personally love them for it – I wouldnt leave my kids with anybody else.

Brenda Kinsgford