Welcome to
Hillcrest Childcare
Ko te ahurei o te tamaiti aroha o tātou mahi
Let the uniqueness of the child guide our work
Our Approach
Whānau Tuakana-Teina
Being a mixed-aged centre, the tuakana–teina relationship is an integral part of our centre and provides a strong model for ako. Our older tamariki have opportunities to care for, support, and teach our younger tamariki. Through these caring relationships, our older tamariki develop important skills such as spatial awareness, reinforcing expectations and rules, problem-solving, communication, and self-help skills. At the same time, our younger tamariki benefit from having positive role models who encourage, guide, and support them in their learning. This reciprocal relationship reflects the principles of ako, where learning is shared and both tuakana and teina learn from one another.
Ngā Hononga
We provide an environment that is respectful, positive, and warm and where children feel accepted. We build responsive and reciprocal relationships with children, parents, whanau and community.
We encourage relationships amongst children, teaching them to accept and love everyone.
Whakamana
Our curriculum empowers tamariki to recognise and enhance their mana and support the mana of others- this links to our Hillcrest treaty of respecting ourselves and others.
Tamariki are agents of their own learning. Kaiako plan and set up the environment based on tamariki interests.
Kotahitanga
The model Te Whare Tapa Wha plays a huge part in our individual planning and assessment. We believe that a child will learn when their holistic wellbeing- (hinengaro) cognitive, tinana (physical), whatumanawa (emotional), wairua (spiritual) and whanau (social and cultural)- is balanced.
Our kaiako have a good knowledge and understanding of how children learn and develop!
Kaitiakitanga
At Hillcrest Childcare our Vision is to create a culture of Sustainability, through encouraging an authentic understanding of Kaitiakitanga with the responsibilities of being Kaitiaki for our environment and respect for Papatūānuku. We use reusable nappies and encourage plastic free lunch boxes to reduce the rubbish we send to the landfill.
