Lighthouse Childcare is a childcare centre at 250 Nelson Street in Strathern, Invercargill. It is licensed for 27 children aged two to six. It opened its doors in October 2023, in a building with its own history: it was once Ranui Kindergarten, then a scout hall, and later a Barnardos centre. The centre was set up by Jeremy and Tanya Thom, who moved to Invercargill in 2015. Mr Thom completed a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education, and Mrs Thom has worked with children and teenagers for many years. The centre's team is described as caring and experienced, and it keeps small ratios so each child gets personal care.
The centre's values come from Aotearoa's cultural heritage. It aims to be a place where children, families and teachers all feel valued and supported, with manaakitanga and whakamana at the centre of its practice. Whakamana is about helping each child grow in confidence and independence. The centre works with whānau to share milestones and challenges. To find out more, families can fill in the enquiry form on the website, call, or visit the centre. For a family in Strathern or the wider Invercargill area that wants a small, values-based centre with a building that has a long local story, Lighthouse is a practical choice.