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Welcome from our Ashburton Centre Manager
Jessica de Kleijn
Kia ora, my name is Jess and I am passionate about working alongside tamariki, whānau, and kaiako to create environments where tamariki feel safe, valued, and able to thrive. I hold a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood Education) as well as a Bachelor of Criminal Justice. My studies and experiences have shaped my belief that early childhood education plays a critical role in supporting positive outcomes for tamariki and their families. I am particularly passionate about creating inclusive environments where every child and whānau feels a strong sense of belonging.
My teaching practice is grounded in building strong, respectful relationships and recognising that every child learns and develops in their own unique way. I focus on supporting tamariki to grow in confidence, independence, and social competence while embracing the everyday moments that create meaningful learning experiences.
Outside of the centre, I love spending time out in nature, being with my family, and supporting my community. I believe that when communities come together to support one another, our tamariki are given the best opportunities to thrive in life.
One of the things I love most about our centre is how inclusive and welcoming our community is. Our team truly values the relationships we build with whānau, and we recognise how privileged we are to be part of your child’s learning journey. I strongly believe that what makes the biggest difference for young children in early childhood education is active involvement, embracing the small moments, and working in partnership with whānau. It truly does take a village to support tamariki as they grow and learn. Some of my most meaningful moments as a leader and educator have been advocating for tamariki, being their voice when needed, and supporting kaiako to grow and develop in their practice. Seeing both tamariki and kaiako gain confidence and flourish is incredibly rewarding.
What gets me up and excited to come to work each day is knowing that every day we have the opportunity to make a difference. No two days are ever the same in early childhood education, and that is what makes this work so special.
At Busy Bees Ashburton, we create meaningful relationships that support each child’s learning journey and celebrate their individual identity, culture and strengths.
As you enter our learning spaces, you will see a variety of visuals displayed at child level. These tools support and guide our tamariki, helping them to feel empowered, capable and confident in their environment. You will hear laughter, excitement and a rich variety of languages, including the home languages of our tamariki and whānau, reflecting the diversity within our centre.
Our centre has two age appropriate areas, with two learning stage spaces in each. The Harakeke Room provides a warm, nurturing environment for our youngest tamariki. Our caring kaiako work alongside whānau in collaborative partnerships, responding to each child’s individual needs with care and consistency, just as you would at home.
As tamariki become more mobile and independent, they transition into the Koru Room. Here, kaiako continue to work in respectful, responsive partnerships with whānau to ensure tamariki’s needs are met throughout the day. When tamariki show readiness for further transition within the centre, kaiako work collaboratively with whānau and tamariki to ensure the process is smooth, positive and supportive.
The Mānuka Room supports tamariki through meaningful learning experiences where kaiako and whānau work together in partnership to ensure learning and developmental needs are nurtured. Our values underpin the learning curriculum and guide everyday practice.
The Pōhutukawa Room helps prepare tamariki with lifelong skills that support them to grow into confident and capable learners. We pride ourselves on building strong partnerships with whānau and the wider community. We are inclusive and value the identity, culture and uniqueness of every child and family within our centre.
Our early education centre welcomes tamariki and their whānau and we strive to support children to develop into capable learners with a strong cultural identity. Our qualified teachers bring a wealth of knowledge and experience, providing quality education in a stimulating environment. We are so proud of what our kaiako bring to our learning environment and we welcome your child to our community and look forward to helping them start their education journey.
Dietitian Designed Menus
We believe that through nourishing food, children are fuelled to thrive physically and mentally, whilst enjoying the benefits of coming together and connecting as a group at mealtimes. We supply a wide variety of nourishing meals for the children at our centre. Across morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea, our fabulous centre cook will provide foods that are minimally processed, avoiding recipes that are high in added sugar, instead using fresh, real and wholesome ingredients.
Our dedicated cook and centre team is currently striving towards the Tohu Manawa Ora | Healthy Heart Award from the Heart Foundation.
To support childrens transition to school, we do have lunch box days each week with our near five year olds.
Teachers also do regular baking with the tamariki, which provides them opportunities to engage and learn a range of food preparations skills and fine motor movements such as pouring, sifting, spooning. It is a great hands on sensory experience for children to develop independence through self-help skills, practice simple maths as they measure and count quantities.
Our programme reflects the principles, goals and learning outcomes of Te Whāriki the New Zealand bi-cultural Early Childhood Curriculum. This curriculum covers the education and care of children from birth to school age and clearly reflects the concept of learning as a lifelong process that begins at the very start of life. Our teachers follow this to work alongside your child to plan and extend on their learning. This celebrates the uniqueness of each child and the value we hold in the contribution of family/whānau in their child’s learning.
At Busy Bees Ashburton, we value every child and see them as unique and a special taonga. Our teachers provide quality education and childcare in a stimulating environment that will contribute to their successful future. Conveniently located just down the road from Ashburton Netherby School, we're easy to find and within a short travelling distance to Ashburton Domain. We're the natural choice for busy parents and local families in the community.
Our Programmes
Bee Curious, our Busy Bees Curriculum Framework, has been created to guide and inspire kaiako in supporting tamariki through rich, interconnected learning experiences. Built on the strong foundation of Te Whāriki, it reflects the principles of Aotearoa New Zealand’s early childhood curriculum and the aspirations we hold for our children as they grow.
Nutritious food is the foundation for healthy growth and development in our children. Our Nourish menus fuel our children and support full, healthy tummies enabling clear minds to focus on the learning and set children up to thrive at our centre.
Our MOVE programme deliberately sets out physical activities that give children the opportunity to learn, practice and master physical skills whilst developing their resilience, perseverance, patience, co-ordination, gross-motor skills, teamwork and much more, all while having loads of fun!
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