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Welcome from our Tairāwhiti Centre Manager
Nikki Ngatai-Brown
Kia ora, my name is Nikki Ngatai-Brown and I am the proud Centre Manager of Busy Bees Tairāwhiti. I am passionate about creating a welcoming, nurturing environment where tamariki, whānau and kaiako feel a strong sense of belonging. I lead with a focus on team collaboration, professionalism and continuous growth supporting my team to provide our tamariki and whānau with quality care, respect and meaningful relationships.
I take pride in fostering a positive team culture, building strong whānau connections and ensuring our centre reflects the values and aspirations of our community.
Our Vision
We believe that tamariki are treasured taonga who are curious, capable and creative learners who will thrive in an engaging learning environment.
Philosophy Statement
Busy Bees Tairāwhiti is a centre where whānau and tamariki feel a sense of belonging in a safe engaging environment. We foster authentic relationships with our tamariki, whānau and kaiako. We celebrate the unique contribution each child brings. We focus on building social and emotional competence through whanaungatanga so children feel a valued part of our community.
Busy Bees Tairāwhiti, a place of curiosity, fun and happiness.
Focused Learning Priorities
- Belonging - Whanaungatanga
- Emotional Competence - Kōwhiti Whakapae
- Curiosity - Pākiki
Our Rooms
Te Rūma o te Pītau (up to 2 years): We believe babies are born into this world with knowledge and understandings to explore and interact with the environment and those within it. Busy Bees Tairāwhiti supports ngā pēpi to explore through nature and build understandings of te ao Māori. Relationships are based on the foundations of respect and aroha.
Te Rūma o te Koru (2-3 years): Growing young minds requires special moments of wonder and awe. The Koru Room has a play-based approach to learning, allowing children time and space to independently explore and seek understanding of the world around them. Whāriki time (mat time) supports children to come together as a whānau and reflect on their day and share learning experiences.
Te Rūma o te Mōkehu (3-4 years): At this age, tamariki are confident explorers, full of curiosity and imagination. In Te Rūma o te Mōkehu, we nurture their growing independence through rich, play-based experiences that spark inquiry and creativity. Tamariki are encouraged to express themselves, work alongside others, and deepen their connection to te taiao (the natural world) and te ao Māori. Through daily rituals and collaborative play, we foster a sense of belonging, resilience, and joyful learning.
Te Rūma o te Mātātā (4-6 years):
These important years lay the foundation for school and life. Our programme nurtures independence, confidence, and a love of learning through play, nature, and meaningful relationships. Tamariki explore early literacy and numeracy, develop social and emotional skills, and grow strong connections to te ao Māori and te taiao. Our dedicated and creative teachers bring learning to life through imaginative activities, fostering deep relationships and inspiring curiosity. Their passion and innovation ensure every child is supported to discover, grow, and thrive in a nurturing environment.
Transition to Kura
The concept of "school readiness" for children in their early years, is an integral part of our curriculum and programme at Busy Bees Tairāwhiti. Kaiako support children throughout their entire journey to continue to reach goals and achieve outcomes. Life skills are supported to best ensure tamariki have confidence to step out into the world with the knowledge and understanding that they are valued and that their learning and achievements are recognised. Early concepts of math, literature and sciences are woven into the curriculum to provide a rich foundation for their future learning.
Hauora
The health and wellbeing of our tamariki is of the upmost importance. By placing intentional focus on each of these areas, we are providing tamariki with every opportunity to gain the skills and habits to take with them into a healthy future.
By focusing on the 4 key pillars of Hauora (Tana Tihana: physical, Taha Hinengāro: mental and emotional, Tana Whānau: family and social and Taha Wairua: spiritual wellbeing) we weave key aspects into the everyday curriculum with our children.
As part of this ongoing commitment to the holistic wellbeing of tamariki, we have researched and developed programmes focused specifically on the two key areas of Physical Activity (MOVE) and Nutrition (Nourish).
Our Centre Cook lovingly prepares morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea daily. All menus are dietitian approved and have been thoughtfully designed following the New Zealand Food and Nutrition Guidelines and the Ministry of Health Healthy Eating for Babies, Toddlers and Children.
Me Akoranga – Our Learning
Children are the co-constructors of their own learning journey here at Busy Bees Tairāwhiti. We take care to ensure that every child has their own learning journey which is tailored to their individual learner identity. Through Storypark and children's portfolios, parents and whānau are invited to be an integral part of their child's learning which follows Te Whāriki – Aotearoa’s Early Childhood Curriculum.
Me Kaiako – Our Teachers
It is important that the teaching team here at House of Wonder Gisborne share the same love and understanding for our community of learners. Each teacher comes with their own set of skills and beliefs which add up to an excellent experience for ngā tamariki. A rich cultural index and passionate teachers makes for a well-balanced, nurturing environment for your little one.
Community
At Busy Bees Tairāwhiti, we value our community and take the opportunity to positively impact and make a difference in the lives of our tamariki, whānau and the wider community. We celebrate whakawhanaungatanga (relationships), along with the diversity within our centre. We welcome the community to participate in our programme and take part in the awesome journey of raising our tamariki to be great leaders.
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.
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!
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.
The Busy Bees Way is our commitment to families and guides everything we do across our centres. From nurturing your child’s wellbeing and supporting their individual learning journey, to building genuine partnerships with whānau and respecting every child’s unique identity, culture and strengths, we’re committed to providing an exceptional early learning experience where children can thrive.
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