Hit enter to search or ESC to close
Welcome from our Featherston Street Centre Manager
Cassie Katene
I am a proud mum of three adult children and a dog mum to two much-loved fur babies who keep life busy and entertaining. Originally from the Kapiti Coast and now calling Manawatū home, I wear many hats—Centre Manager by day, activist by night, and run a karaoke business on the weekends. Music is one of my greatest passions and brings so much joy and connection into my life.
I have worked in Early Childhood Education for the past 18 years, and during this time have had the privilege of supporting tamariki and whānau through some of the most important stages of their growth and development. I feel incredibly fortunate to work in a profession that allows me to make a positive difference in the lives of tamariki and whānau every day.
My teaching philosophy is grounded in three key values: Pūmanawa, Taonga Tuku Iho, and Wairua. These values reflect teaching with heart, honouring the knowledge and wisdom passed down through generations, and recognising the whole person—not only what we can see, hear, and understand, but also what we can feel. I believe learning flourishes when children are nurtured in environments that respect their unique strengths, identities, and wellbeing.
As a Centre Manager, I am passionate about creating a culture where tamariki, whānau, and kaiako feel genuinely welcomed, valued, and connected. Strong relationships are at the heart of quality early learning, and I strive to foster an environment where tamariki feel safe to explore, develop confidence, and learn through meaningful play and authentic connections.
I also deeply value the concept of tuakana-teina, recognising that learning is reciprocal. While experienced kaiako have much to share, there is also immense value in learning from those who bring fresh perspectives and new ideas. I am passionate about mentoring and empowering emerging kaiako, supporting them to become the next generation of leaders in Early Childhood Education.
Family, laughter, connection, and community are at the heart of everything I do. I look forward to continuing to grow alongside our wonderful centre community and supporting every child to thrive as confident, capable learners.
Our tamariki and whānau feel a sense of belonging at Busy Bees Featherston Street Early Learning Centre in Palmerston North, and we welcome new families in, to feel right at home too. We offer nutritious, home-cooked meals, a huge backyard play area for our tamariki. Our teachers live locally, which supports our strong sense of community and comfortable and welcoming environment. Our centre provides nurturing and stimulating environments for young children with its separate nursery and preschool rooms, as well as areas where tamariki can come together to share tuakana-teina (older-younger child) interactions where wonderful teaching moments are shared. We aim to promote the development and learning of each child, through positive partnership with parents and open communication at all times for family, tangata whenua, whānau, and community.
Our spacious centre environment offers separate indoor and outdoor areas tailored to each age and stage of learning and development, as well as areas where tamariki can come together to share tuakana-teina (older-younger child) interactions, including sibling visits across centres, where wonderful teaching moments are shared.
Our purpose-built spaces support the age and stage of every child, tailored specifically to developmental needs, ensuring your child receives the highest quality care and education.
Our Teina building is our dedicated space for children aged 0–3 years. This environment is rich with age-appropriate experiences, nurturing on one care moments with specialist kaiako, and opportunities for exploration and risk-taking as children develop and grow, away from the hustle and bustle of busy preschoolers.
Our Tuakana building is our dedicated environment for children aged 2–5 years. Designed with a suitable playground and carefully structured learning environments, this space provides meaningful preparation for the transition to school. Children are challenged and inspired at their own pace, with space to make meaningful friendships and ensuring every child is as prepared as possible as they head off to school!
Our centre also offers a Montessori-inspired classroom focused on school and life readiness, offering structured routines, and a calm environment that reflects Montessori values.
Our strong transition programme, shows our commitment to the individual child, journeying with them through each stage of their learning journey, at their own pace, when they are ready, ensuring each transition, is smooth, supportive, and exciting!
Heart Foundation Awarded
We are extremely proud that we have received a Pā Harakeke Tohu Manawa Ora | Healthy Heart Award from the Heart Foundation for the amazing things we do here at Busy Bees Featherston Street to promote healthy food and physical activity. We are helping our tamariki to have healthy habits and healthy hearts for life.
We prioritise the health and wellbeing of your little ones by offering nutritious meals crafted with care. Our menus are designed by an experienced dietitian, ensuring they meet the specific nutritional needs of growing children whilst also bursting with flavour. Our centre cook takes pride in preparing all meals onsite, adhering to the Ministry of Health Healthy Eating for Babies, Toddlers and Children to guarantee optimal safety and quality. From wholesome ingredients to balanced portions, every meal is thoughtfully crafted to support healthy development and foster good eating habits from an early age. With us, you can trust that your child is receiving the nourishment they need to thrive each day.
Tuakana Lunchbox Day
Once a week, on Fridays, our preschool children in Tuakana have a lunchbox day. Whereby the children are each supplied with a lunchbox that they fill with food we provide. They practice eating from them, learning to ration their food instead of eating everything at once. This helps them develop important skills for their transition to school, where they will need to manage their own lunches.
Baking
Teachers also do regular baking with the children, 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.
We are committed to follow the aspirations of the New Zealand National ECE Curriculum, Te Whāriki. Te Whāriki envisages kaiako in early learning settings working in partnership with parents, whānau and community to realise this vision. The expectation is that, in their early years, children will experience a curriculum that empowers them as lifelong learners, right from their early exploration of the world around them, through to preparation for school.
We offer amazing opportunities at Busy Bees Featherston Street, within our MOVE programme, encouraging active movement, with regular swimming lessons, community excursions and Rugby lessons with Manawatu Rugby
Our regular excursions include adventures to Pitt Park, Bunnings, the local library, rest home, and Te Manawa, as we are fortunate to have a centre van for excursions!
We provide an excellent transition to school programme as children approach school age, collaboration with local kura, children learn and practice school ready skills as part of our programme.
Our centre offers good ratios, multicultural teaching team and a Montessori-inspired classroom. We also have a focus on sustainability, operating the Enviroschools and Paper4trees programme!
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!
The latest buzz
Show all
Testimonials
Book a tour
