The Centre

You will find as on the North Shore at 78 Apollo Drive, Rosedale, Auckland 0632.  We are open 7am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday. 

We recognise that each child develops at his or her own pace, therefore the age ranges in our play rooms are an approximate only.  PIPI ROOM:  Babies and Infants, Birth to 18 months. KINA ROOM:  Toddlers, 18 months - 3 years. WAHANUI ROOM: Preschoolers, 3 - 5 years old.

Fees and Hours Attending+

Our fee schedule is included in our enrolment pack which is available at the centre and also online.  All childcare fees must be paid one week in advance and are to be paid weekly by AP or direct credit or bank debit. We do not provide eftpos or banking facilities at the Centre.  A registration fee of $50.00 is due when enrolment is confirmed. 

The fee structure is based on school hours (a 7 hour day rate) and a daily rate from 7.30am to 5.30pm. 

Holidays+

The service is open 52 weeks of the year and offers School Term Holidays.  School term holidays is the two weeks break between each of the first three terms. This is available for children to take daily, part of a week or whole week holiday.  Parents are asked to email the centre to request the holiday and no fees will be charged. 

Statutory Holidays and Christmas Break+

We close for statutory holidays. Normal fees apply.

The centre is open 52 week of the year. Parents are able to take an additional 2 week holiday (NO FEES) at Christmas (Monday 26th December 2022 to Friday, 30th December 2022 and Monday 2nd January to Friday 6th January 2023) if their child does not attend.  Friday 23rd December we close at 3pm.  Families will be advised on a yearly basis to confirm holiday dates.  

Teacher to Child Ratios+

We maintain quality ratios.

Pipi Room, 1:4 for infants; Kina Room, 1:5 for toddlers and Wahanui Room, 1:8 for preschool children.

The Centre has three play rooms+

Pipi Room.  Our nurturing nursery.

Our environment surrounds your child with beauty and wonder. With professional teachers who plan a day of fun, love and learning and keeping your precious one safe while you are away.

We believe that to understand and know the child there must be consistency of care.  Therefore, we practice whānau care.  This is when one teacher will take the lead role in caring for the child during the day, with the other teachers working in a support role.  This approach is based on a stance of utmost respect for the child. 

Kina Room.  Our adventurous toddlers.

We have outstanding teacher to child ratios in this room.  1 teacher to 5 children when the Ministry of Education state a 1/10 ratio.  We recognise that this age group display a range of emotions – such as happiness, sadness, anger and fear and the best care and education this age group can receive is caring knowledgeable adults to support there emotional and social development.

To support our toddlers to grow self-regulation skills we also have a lot of space in the room for them to move and multiplies of the same toys (sharing will be learnt) so everyone can play.

Wahanui Room.  Our big preschoolers.

Children are now provided with age specific activities that are designed around developmental stages. The program supports independence, group and individual learning experiences. A range of indoor and outdoor activities and resources are available throughout the day.  We have a strong focus on assisting children in discovering who they are, so they can express their own opinions and nurture their own ideas. 

Nutrition and Meals+

We have received a GOLD Healthy Heart Award from the Heart Foundation for the amazing things we do to promote healthy food and physical activity.

Our aim is to encourage healthy eating habits. Cooked by our in-house cook we provide morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a late snack. The current menu is displayed on the Parents Notice board and is on a 4 weekly rotation.

With assistance from teachers children are taught to self-serve their food and use real crockery, glassware and utensils. We are helping our children to develop healthy habits and healthy hearts for life.

Allergies, Food Intolerance and Special Dietary Requirements

This is a shared responsibility of the child’s family and the centre. It is recorded on the child’s enrolment form and in our computer software package.  Our chef and your child’s teachers are well informed of your child’s requirements while at the centre.

Please let your child’s teacher know if you send food in with your child.  No chewing gum, lollies or food that contains peanuts are permitted into the centre.  We are a NO NUT Centre.

Preschool Healthy Lunch Box Day+

The last Wednesday of every month the Preschool room do a lunch box day.  This is to help prepare children and parents for school.  Please name your child’s lunch box and ensure that it is a healthy lunch box which includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. The lunchbox should be left in your child’s bag; just as it would be at school.  Upcoming lunchbox day will be recorded in the classroom and online though Educa calendar.

Nappies and Toilet Learning+

To help our busy parents all disposable nappies are provided for children in the centre.   If you wish to provide your own nappies please let the centre know.

As your child starts the journey from nappies to underpants, please don’t worry. We are here to support your child - it is all a learning process.  

Centre Security+

Natural Steps security consists of automatic sliding entrance doors, cameras in operation 24/7 and a monitored alarm system.  The automatic sliding entrance doors remain locked at all times and can only be accessed via the use of a code, or a member of staff allowing you access.      

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Enrol today

We would love to have you and your child as part of the family.  Enrol with us today and start your child's Natural steps into early childhood education.

ENROL