Chuckles Childcare is a privately owned early childhood centre at 104 Gallien Street in St Leonards, Hastings. The website describes it as a home-away-from-home centre and a whānau-based service, where communication, respect and trust come first. The centre follows Te Whāriki, and teachers use te reo Māori every day. Tuakana and teina relationships between older and younger children are encouraged, and each child builds a learning profile written with the voices of teachers, the child and whānau.
The centre opens at 7.30am and the day follows a routine of karakia, handwashing and morning kai, with time for sleep for children who need it. Free play runs through the day, with individual and group activities, music, stories and planned learning based on children's interests. Afternoon tea is served and the day closes with a karakia at 2.15pm. The website says the routine can change to suit each child's needs.