Creative Cubs is a small, nurturing preschool and nursery in Belfast, Christchurch, where children are encouraged to explore, create, and learn at their own pace. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, the team believes children are capable, curious learners — and that its role is to listen, guide, and provide an environment that sparks imagination and discovery every day. Learning here isn't rushed; it unfolds naturally through play, relationships, and meaningful experiences.
The centre describes itself as "a cute little preschool where your child will feel instantly at home", with a lovely mix of indoor and outdoor space. Its teaching team sits at the heart of everything: all teachers are qualified in Early Childhood Education or are training towards it, and each is a lifelong learner who takes part in ongoing professional development. Creative Cubs values its teachers as its biggest asset and works to provide a caring, supportive and positive environment where they grow alongside the children.
Six core values shape daily life: Maiatanga (Confidence), Hakinakina (Fun), Atawhai (Kindness), Whakauru (Inclusion), Curiosity, and Whakaute (Respect). The centre's vision is for all children to be actively involved in their own learning — becoming capable, competent and independent lifelong learners, healthy in mind, body and spirit. As the vision statement puts it: "A child is a treasure to be nurtured to grow to fly..."
Creative Cubs is one of two preschools run by Cubs Preschools, whose mission is for every child to be in the best possible position to succeed in whatever they want to do — and, more importantly, to have the confidence to trust in their ability to try. Families are welcome to call, email, or drop in any time for a visit.
Tucked away on Main North Road in Belfast, Christchurch, Creative Cubs is a small preschool and nursery built around a simple conviction: children are capable, curious learners who don't need to be hurried. Learning here isn't rushed — it unfolds naturally through play, relationships, and meaningful experiences.
Creative Cubs is one of two centres run by Cubs Preschools, whose mission is for every child to be in the best possible position to succeed in whatever they want to do — and, more importantly, to have the confidence to trust in their ability to try. That aim shapes everything from the centre's daily rhythms to the way its team talks about early childhood.
The centre's approach takes its cue from Reggio Emilia, an educational philosophy that treats children as capable and curious from the very start. At Creative Cubs, the adults' role is to listen, guide, and provide an environment that sparks imagination and discovery every day. Children are encouraged to explore, create, and learn at their own pace, and the team embraces the eternal childhood question — “Why...?” — as vital for learning and growth.
The setting supports that philosophy. The Belfast centre describes itself as “a cute little preschool where your child will feel instantly at home”, with “a lovely mix of indoor and outdoor space”. Children can move between indoor creating and outdoor exploring, with discovery built into the environment rather than bolted on.
Creative Cubs is unusually explicit about what it stands for. Six core values, several carrying te reo Māori names, guide daily life: Maiatanga (Confidence), Hakinakina (Fun), Atawhai (Kindness), Whakauru (Inclusion), Curiosity, and Whakaute (Respect).
The website pairs each value with refreshingly plain commentary. Of fun: “Make learning fun and the rest takes care of itself.” Of confidence: “You can be the best in the world at something but don't have the confidence then it doesn't matter.” Kindness is framed as strength — using manners, considering others' feelings, accepting where each person is at. Inclusion means all children, families and staff are welcome in the classrooms, with every person's uniqueness celebrated. Respect covers one another's right to safety and dignity, speaking with calmness, politeness and consideration — and, most of all, respecting oneself.
From these values flows the centre's vision: for all children to be actively involved in their own learning, becoming capable, competent and independent lifelong learners, healthy in mind, body and spirit. Or, as the vision statement puts it more poetically: “A child is a treasure to be nurtured to grow to fly...”
Creative Cubs calls its teachers its biggest asset, and the care it takes with them is spelled out. All teachers are qualified in Early Childhood Education or are training towards it, and each is a lifelong learner who continually takes part in professional development. The centre aims to provide a caring, supportive and positive environment where teachers grow and learn alongside the children, crediting the team's dedication to genuine passion and care for the younger generation.
Behind the centre is Simon, who personally welcomes families and describes himself as someone who enjoys “building, creating and constantly improving anything we can, to add to the already excellent preschool experience we offer.” He looks forward to meeting each child and helping set them on a journey that will last a lifetime.
Creative Cubs is at 796 Main North Road, Belfast, Christchurch 8051. Families can call 03 323 7500, email [email protected], or use the enquiry form on the Cubs Preschools website — and the team extends a standing invitation to “drop in any time to visit”. With the site urging “Enrol now! Don't miss out”, families keen on a place are encouraged to make contact sooner rather than later.
For parents weighing up early learning options in Christchurch, Creative Cubs offers something specific: a small, values-driven setting where curiosity, confidence, fun, kindness, inclusion and respect aren't just words on a wall, but the stated basis of everything that happens each day.