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Busy Bees Ruakākā

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Storypark

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Meals provided

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20 Hours ECE

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details-poi 17 Marsden Point Road, Ruakākā 0116

details-phone 09 432 7396

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details-clock 7:30am - 5:00pm Monday to Friday

Busy Bees Ruakaka location in maps

Nau Mai, Haere Mai

Welcome to Busy Bees Ruakākā, we are a small centre located near the beautiful Ruakākā beach in a tight-knit community. We believe that as an early learning centre, we have an important part to play in our local community and a very special opportunity to positively impact the lives of our young tamariki in their early stages of development.

Large outdooy play area at Busy Bees Ruakaka
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Tamariki, whānau and kaiako are welcomed into an inclusive, warm, fun respectful and supportive environment that view children as capable, confident learners. Our environment is made up of 2 separate areas our Small poppies and Tall poppies! Come in today to visit our chickens, check out our orchard, or even see how our community vegetable garden is growing. 

Our Rooms

Small Poppies (0-3 years) - Our environment is based on building loving and trusting bonds between infants/toddlers and teachers, who structure the day according to individual needs. Teachers work closely with families to understand infant cues and develop a routine that supports children’s natural rhythms. Play is open-ended and full of fun as we embrace the unknown of how children explore and experiment with their ideas and theories of how the world around them works.

Tall Poppies (2-6 years) - Our Kaiako observe tamariki closely to identify children’s interests and based on parent collaboration learning provocations are set up for tamariki, which are challenging, provide curiosity and active exploration. Children’s self-help skills are very important at this stage and children are supported to go to the toilet on their own, wash their hands, dress themselves, and serve up their own kai. We value that each child learns at their own pace and when they are ready, and that play is children’s work.

Dietitian Designed Menus

We are extremely proud that we have received a Whānau Tohu Manawa Ora | Healthy Heart Award from the Heart Foundation for the amazing things we do here to promote healthy food and physical activity.

Our inhouse cook provides freshly made meals for children each day using our Nourish menus and recipes, based on the New Zealand Heart Foundation Tohu Manawa Ora | Healthy Heart Award for Early Learning Centres. We believe that through nourishing food, children are fueled to thrive physically and mentally, whilst enjoying the benefits of coming together and connecting as a group at mealtimes. 

Teachers do regular baking with the children, which provides opportunities for them 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. 

Fostering a Culture of Sustainability

Engaging children in activities like gardening, composting, and understanding the lifecycle of plants not only promotes environmental awareness but also inspires important life skills and values.

At Busy Bees Ruakaka we incorporate the "playground to plate" experience as a way to connect children with the food they eat and foster a deeper appreciation for where it comes from. By involving tamariki in the process of growing and harvesting produce, kaiako not only teach children about sustainability but also encouraging healthy eating habits.

Composting is another valuable practice that teaches children about the natural cycle of recycling organic matter back into the soil.

Transition to School

Our pathways to kura called ‘Extension Programme’ is dedicated to further supporting our akoranga in their readiness for to school. We work to make some aspects of school more familiar and practice the values seen within our school communities. Through consistent relationships and communication with our local kura, we can ensure our Extension Programm curriculum is current and responsive to the needs, and stages of our learners. Predominant areas that we support are; self-help and regulation skills, early mathematics and literacy, name recognition and fine/ gross motor development. 

We are committed to follow the aspirations of the New Zealand National ECE Curiculum, Te Whāriki, “For children to grow up as competent and confident learners and communicators, healthy in mind, body and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging and in the knowledge that they make a valued contribution to society”.
Te Whāriki envisages kaiako (teachers) 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. 

Outdoor sandpit in preschool at Busy Bees Ruakaka
Artwrok for early learning at Busy Bees Ruakaka
Playdough play at Busy Bees Ruakaka
Childcare excursions at Busy Bees Ruakaka
Woodwork for toddlers at Busy Bees Ruakaka
Reading at Busy Bees Ruakaka
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Testimonials

Such a warm and welcoming centre. Amazing teachers and so much interacting activities.

Parent Feedback

My son is very happy there. The teachers have all spent time getting to know him and how best to make him feel at home but also learn how to be himself. There is a lovely variety of play areas and teacher’s written or verbal observations tell me that he is encouraged to try everything. I feel he is safe and cared for at Ruakaka Busy Bees.

Parent Feedback

The culture is warming and our mokos are settled. Good leadership by Liz and her team who sincerely focus on tamariki. Good vibes

Parent Feedback

Inclusive and friendly atmosphere. Including Te Reo skills into curriculum and everyday use. Well trained and engaged kaiako. Flexible and individual approach to family’s needs.

Parent Feedback

Teachers are helpful, yummy food is provided, fun activities for kids.

Parent Feedback

Based on how my son was when he started at Busy Bees with anxiety of me leaving to him now wanting to stay when it's time to go home I can't thank to team enough for the support they have given him and myself.

Parent Feedback

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