An early childhood education centre on Spinnaker Drive in Whitby, Porirua, part of the Busy Bees network and built around Te Whāriki, the national early childhood curriculum. The centre has age-based rooms, outdoor learning spaces and a dedicated space for its youngest children under two, staffed by a long-standing team. Meals are nutritious, and the centre has a separate Food and Nutrition page on its site. The centre describes a calm, welcoming feel, and its approach puts strong relationships with children and whānau first. Families take part through settling visits, regular formal and informal catch-ups, and Storypark, the online platform where children's learning and photos are shared during the day.
Transitions between rooms and on to preschool follow each child's readiness rather than their age. The centre runs a Pathways to Preschool hui, where whānau talk with a kaiako from each room about the move, and it says that children are encouraged to make choices, solve problems and take ownership of their learning. The centre manager has been part of the community for more than five years, which the centre says gives it a steady team and leadership.