Welcome to Small Wonders Childcare
Small Wonders is a purposefully small early childhood centre in Raumati Beach, dedicated to high-quality care and meaningful learning.
Our small size allows us to build strong, responsive relationships with tamariki and their whānau. We focus on creating a calm and respectful environment where children feel safe, supported, and confident to explore and grow.
Sustainability is an integral part of our daily practice. Children are actively involved in caring for the environment — from gardening and composting to learning about their role as kaitiaki (guardians of the natural world).
We are committed to fostering a sense of belonging, curiosity, and responsibility through thoughtful teaching and genuine connection.
Me mahi tahi tātou, mo te oranga o te katoa.
We work together, for the wellbeing of everyone.
Our Philosophy.
We are a small boutique centre that offers a respectful, calm and nurturing environment, where children will develop to their full potential, as unique individuals.
We will foster curiosity, exploration and independence in our centre by giving children plenty of unhurried time, space and open-ended resources that can be
used in different ways. Encompassing holistic learning within a social community of learners and supports kotahitanga and whakamana.
We empower all to value their identity and culture and we recognise the unique place of Māori as Tāngata Whenua. We embrace and celebrate cultures that make up the diverse nature of Aotearoa, New Zealand.
We believe that children learn through play and by doing. As teachers we are here to observe, follow, guide and extend children’s learning based on their individual interests and strengths.
We value whanaungatanga, through building strong relationships and partnerships with families. We aim to provide a strong foundation for children’s learning and developing a sense of belonging.
We understand the various ways children learn and the dispositions for learning such as taking an interest, persisting with difficulty, being involved, developing
empathy and taking responsibility as these dispositions support lifelong learning.
As teachers we are positive role models to children and parents. We are here to teach and support children in developing relationships with others as these are again lifelong skills. The concept of manaakitanga is important to us.
We will teach children importance of treasuring our environment through
kaitiakitanga and will engage in activities or projects to promote sustainability.
We will keep up to date with all current theories that will benefit our teaching
practice and the learning outcomes for children.
