Ngā Tamariki Early Childhood Centre, established in 1987, is a non-profit, community-based parent-cooperative providing quality education and care for children aged 6 months to 5 years. Located in Alicetown, Lower Hutt, close to public transport and the Lower Hutt CBD, the centre offers a homely indoor environment alongside spacious outdoor play areas for year-round play.
The centre's philosophy draws on RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers) for infants and toddlers, promoting respectful caregiving and relationships-based interactions, while older tamariki follow the Reggio Emilia approach, engaging in project and group inquiries that support problem-solving and understanding of the world. As a parent-cooperative, parents have direct input into their child's education, the centre's governance and its daily operation, working alongside the teaching team.
Licensed for 32 children (8 under twos and 24 over twos), Ngā Tamariki provides a high level of qualified teachers and excellent child-teacher ratios, alongside cooked lunch and healthy snacks throughout the day. The centre also upholds the heritage of Aotearoa, respecting the Treaty of Waitangi through Tikanga and Te Reo.
Ngā Tamariki Early Childhood Centre has been part of the Alicetown community in Lower Hutt since 1987, operating as a non-profit, parent-cooperative early childhood centre for children aged 6 months to 5 years. Its location, close to public transport and the Lower Hutt CBD, combines with a homely indoor environment and spacious outdoor play areas to create a setting built for year-round exploration and play.
Ngā Tamariki's approach is shaped by two distinct educational philosophies depending on a child's age. For infants and toddlers, the centre follows RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers), which promotes respectful caregiving and relationships-based interactions. Teachers build positive relationships with the youngest children, respecting them as individuals and giving them unhurried time and space to develop at their own pace. As an ERO report from April 2025 noted, 'strong relationships with kaiako foster the social and emotional competencies of tamariki,' with teachers attuned to infants' and toddlers' signals and cues.
For older tamariki, the centre's programme is underpinned by the Reggio Emilia approach, where project and group inquiries support children's problem-solving skills and developing understanding of how the world works. Rather than a fixed curriculum, children become the planners and teachers become the learners — following each child's interests and providing support, resources, conversation and celebration along the way.
What sets Ngā Tamariki apart is its structure as a genuine parent-cooperative. Parents have direct input into their child's education, into how the centre is governed, and into its daily operation, working alongside the teaching team to give children the best possible educational and environmental experience. This collaborative model reflects the centre's broader philosophy, symbolised by an image of flax roots representing how collaboration and mutual support promote healthy, positive learning experiences.
Ngā Tamariki takes a considered approach to helping new children settle into the centre. Families are asked to visit prior to their child starting, with a minimum of three settling visits encouraged. Each child is paired with a kaiārahi (key teacher), who works alongside them through the transition and has detailed discussions with the family about the child's development, interests, behaviour, sleeping and eating requirements. Parents are encouraged to stay for the first visit, and children are welcome to bring a favourite toy from home to help ease the settling-in period.
Food is a core part of the daily routine at Ngā Tamariki, with a cooked lunch and healthy snacks provided throughout the day. Menus draw on fresh, seasonal vegetables — including broccoli, zucchini, carrot, kumara, cabbage, cauliflower, pumpkin, tomato, silver beet, eggplant, capsicum, potato, parsnip, mushroom and corn — reflecting a commitment to nutritious, varied meals. Water is freely available throughout the day, offered regularly to under-twos and provided with every meal, while milk is served at morning and afternoon tea.
Ngā Tamariki places importance on honouring the heritage of Aotearoa, respecting the Treaty of Waitangi through the provision of resources, Tikanga and Te Reo. This cultural grounding is woven through the centre's daily practices, supporting children's sense of belonging and connection to place.
Ngā Tamariki Early Childhood Centre is open Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 6pm, for 51 weeks of the year, at 67 Tama Street, Alicetown, Lower Hutt. Families interested in enrolling or learning more are encouraged to contact the Supervisor directly.