A small early learning centre at 31 Montana Avenue in Ilam, Christchurch, right next to the University of Canterbury. It has a maximum of 38 children a day, and the centre says this lets its teachers know every child and whānau.
The centre has three rooms. The nursery takes babies from birth to about two, with up to eight babies and two teachers. The toddler room takes children from about two to three and a half, with up to 15 children and three teachers. The preschool room takes children from about three and a half to six, with up to 16 children and two teachers. The centre says its teacher-child ratios are well above government requirements.
Children visit the campus libraries, exhibitions, nearby schools and parks. The centre says its families come from nearly 20 countries, and it honours the bicultural heritage of Aotearoa. The preschool room supports children to move on to school. Open Locally lists two other childcare centres within a kilometre: Ilam Montessori Preschool, about 0.3 km away, and Kidsfirst Kindergartens Ilam, about 0.8 km away.