About Beachcomber Early Learning Centre
Our dedicated team of qualified, experienced, and registered teachers/kaiako in our early childhood centre work together to provide a high-quality child care programme for all children during school terms.
Our teachers/kaiako are passionate about children’s early learning and participate in ongoing professional development to ensure they continue to deliver the best possible quality of care and education.
Our low ratio of 1:7 allows teachers/kaiako to work with individual and small groups of children throughout the day. All teachers/kaiako hold First Aid Certificates.
Mission
To inspire young children to have a passion for learning and develop to their fullest potential.
Philosophy
Beachcomber Early Learning Centre is your child’s workshop, where we believe young children learn best through play.
Our quality environment encourages participation and learning through independent and co-operative play, in our friendly, mixed-age setting, where all families and whanau are welcome.
We have a supportive team who ‘foster respectful, responsive and reciprocal relationships’ with children, families and the wider community. These warm relationships encourage a sense of belonging, trust, and respect for others, and support dispositions for lifelong learning.
Each child’s uniqueness and culture is valued in our safe, caring, and inclusive environment, where children can explore, have fun ,and make friends.
Timeline
2025
– Centre sold to Dee Walker, from The Learning Ladder, and renamed to Beachcomber Early Learning Centre
2003
– Further renovations to add an office/staffroom, rear deck and additional entrance
2000
– Beachcomber’s growth and popularity leads to obtaining a full-day licence
1997
– New Beachcomber Kindergarten centre officially opens
1996
– Property at 95 Hutchinson Road purchased, and renovations begin
1990
– Ministry of Education revamps early childhood education “Tomorrows Schools”
– Quality standards, policies and charters are introduced for early childhood education
– Christine Phillipe takes ownership of the Beachcomber Kindergarten name and resources from the parish council
1985
– Christine Philippe begins working at the Beachcomber Kindergarten
– Centre grows to have a regular roll and offer 5 weekly sessions
1980
– Established as a casual creche by the St. John's Church
– Named after “The Beachcomber”, a parish newsletter
