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Our Environment
Our modern centre is well maintained, with natural resources and equipment to inspire inquisitive minds and provide physical challenges for children of all ages, in both our indoor and outdoor environments.
With huge, natural grass play areas, for both our under and over 2’s, our children have plenty of space to explore nature in a safe environment.
Our babies can feel the texture of fresh grass between their toes and discover little garden friends, which teachers alongside, and our preschoolers have plenty of space to run, jump and play, all in a natural setting. Outdoor exploration such as planting and bug hunts, encourage their curiosity and learning, and well as being loads of fun!
We have 4 separate rooms, catering to each age and stage of play and development. Named after some of our scenic Canterbury rivers, we have the Clutha Room for our Preschoolers, preparedness for school Waimakariri Room for our 3 year olds which encourages creativity through loose parts, messy play and art activities, Rakaia Room for our Toddlers where activities are often child-led, Kowai Room for our infants, with small class sizes and primary caregiving and we even have a specialist baby area for our crawlers, which involves lots of sensory activities!
Our Teaching Team
Our passionate and caring teaching team are enthusiastic and united in our philosophy, with building relationships with the children and their whānau, at the forefront.
We work collaboratively within the community, supporting each other to extend our children’s learning and to show consistency between home and our Centre.
We are continually encouraged by our Centre Manager to show initiative, creativity, sensitivity and to work to the best of our ability. If you ask our teachers, they’ll tell you that they wouldn’t want to work anywhere else!
Strong Relationships
Strong relationships are at the heart of everything we do. Our friendly team create a warm and inviting atmosphere, ensuring that everyone who walks through our doors feels welcomed and valued. We believe in open communication, aroha (love), kindness, and empathy, and we foster a collaborative environment where parents, caregivers, and kaiako (teachers) work together to support each child's unique development. You’ll often hear teachers and children sharing words of encouragement, positive affirmation laughs, and creating moments of joy.
Our Community
We place emphasis on building strong community connections that extend beyond our centre. We encourage open communication and meaningful engagement between kaiako, parents and whānau, as well as the wider local Woodend community. These activities within the local community help to instil the values of compassion and social responsibility in our children, which are also cultivated within our centre through tuakana-teina relationships, where older tamariki take on a nurturing role towards younger tamariki. This approach not only strengthens connections among the children but also promotes empathy, leadership, and a supportive learning environment for all.
Nourish - Thriving minds, active bodies, nurtured hearts
At Busy Bees Judsons Road, 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.
Fostering a Culture of Sustainability
Engaging children in activities like composting, worm farms, and understanding the lifecycle of plants not only promotes environmental awareness but also inspires important life skills and values. These practices at Busy Bees Judsons Road help children develop a deep appreciation for nature and the environment, fostering a sense of responsibility and stewardship.
Our program includes a partnership with a local farmer who collects our food scraps to feed their pigs. This collaboration not only reduces waste but also supports local agriculture and gives children a real-world example of sustainable practices in action. By seeing the direct impact of their efforts, children are more likely to internalise and continue these habits throughout their lives.
We are committed to follow the aspirations of the New Zealand National ECE Curiculum, 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.
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