Our Approach

We are dedicated to providing children with the best start in life.

At Little Blue Penguin, our mission is to ensure every child has the best start in life. We are committed to providing top-quality care and meeting the unique needs of each child and their whānau. This is accomplished through our evidence-based and holistic approach to teaching and learning, guided by our core values of calmness, closeness, consistency, curiosity, and confidence.

Understanding every child and their whānau, including their background and heritage, is vital to the success of our programme.

In order to fully embody a holistic approach, Little Blue Penguin centers are owner-operated, feature mixed-age environments, and prioritise whanaungatanga.

To further illustrate this commitment, our centres develop their own customised philosophy statements, based on the 5 C’s,taiolers to the unique needs of their teaching and learning community.

Additionally, as part of this commitment, nutritious home-cooked meals are provided for the children, ensuring their overall well-being is at the forefront of our care.

Our Services

High teacher to child ratios

Experienced, qualified, certified & dedicated early childhood professionals. Providing high quality care & education

A Home-Like Setting

Natural & welcoming, with carefully designed learning spaces and quality resources

Great Locations

Local amenities within walking distance to enrich the programme through excursions and community participation

Who We Cater For

We are open Rāhina (Monday) to Rāmere (Friday) from 7.30am to 5.30/6.00pm, with a range of sessions and full day options to cater for your whānau needs.

We provide quality care and education for children aged 6 weeks until 6 years, or they start kura/school.

Session Times:

Our opening hours are from 7.30am – 5.30 or 6.00pm Rāhina (Monday) to Rāmere (Friday).

Whānau can choose long days (7hrs-10.5hrs) or short days (6 hrs).

Full days are 7.30am to 6.00pm (or shorter, a minimum of 7 hours) and include all meals.

Short days are 6hrs (8.30am to 2.30pm or 9.30am to 3.30pm) and include all meals.

Ask about our spontaneous Saturday morning ‘date days’ at our Bishopdale location.

Ratios

Our Little Blue Penguin centres are dedicated to evidence-based and quality care, which means we are dedicated to providing better teacher:child ratios than required by the Ministry of Education.

For children under two we provide a 1:3 ratio, and for children over two we provide a 1:8 ratio.

Kai

At our Little Blue Penguin centres we are committed to protecting and nurturing the health and wellbeing of our tamariki.

Little Blue Penguin provides delicious and nutritious meals and snacks for all children, just let us know your child’s individual nutritional needs and we can cater for them when developing our menu.

Children are actively involved in the preparation and serving of their meals. Children peel vegetables and fruit for the meal as well as set up the table with cloths, plates and cutlery. They get to take turns serving the food to their peers, and are able to lead a Maori karakia (non-religious) to express respect and gratitude for the meal.

Through their involvement in our meal times children will:

– Develop their fine motor skills;

– Learn about nutrition, hygiene and hand washing practices;

– Taste different foods;

– Expand social and communication skills;

– Build their independence, confidence and leadership skills;

– Develop an awareness of sustainability.

“Date” Days

Little Blue Penguin’s Date Day can come up sporadically on Saturday mornings at our Bishopdale location. Our Date Day allows you the opportunity to take a well-deserved break. Parents/caregivers can pop out for breakfast, brunch, coffee, or head to the markets knowing your children are safe and having a great time with their teachers and friends at Little Blue Penguin.

We are excited to be able to offer this option occasionally as we are passionate about mums, dads, caregivers/whānau looking after themselves and having quality time together too!

This incredible morning for your children is filled with a variety of fun experiences as well as a delicious, healthy breakfast and morning tea.

Parent’s and whānau can request a date day by asking us to organise one. We will put the date out to the learning community to gauge interest and provide more information.

Get In Touch

Kōrero mai

68 Farrington Avenue, Christchurch, Canterbury, 8053 New Zealand

Call: 03 925 9489

Email kristie@littlebluepenguin.co.nz,

68 Farrington Avenue, Christchurch, Canterbury, 8053, New Zealand

Call: 03 383 7720

Email gina@littlebluepenguin.co.nz,

Find Us

Tauwāhi