The Oaks Early Learning Centre is a purpose-built early learning centre at 475 West Street in Allenton, Ashburton. The centre takes its name from the oak tree, and its values come from the tree's qualities. It is open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 5.30pm.
The centre describes its learning as a mix of spontaneous and structured experiences, within a flexible but predictable environment. The learning areas reflect the natural world, and the centre calls the environment its third teacher. Children have open-ended resources to explore and can start their own learning. The meals are included, and the centre provides the basics such as nappies, wipes, facecloths and bibs. The director is a qualified and registered early childhood teacher, and the kaiako work as a team with whānau. For a Ashburton family who wants a nature-based early learning centre with meals included, The Oaks offers that.