About Us
A home away from homeThe Salvation Army Early Childhood Education Centres provide quality, Christian Early Childhood Care and Education alongside wraparound whānau support in the local community. Our centres are a true home away from home—places where pēpi and tamariki are loved, valued and supported to flourish.
We believe children are natural learners and leaders. Our approach is grounded in free play, exploration, and relationships, empowering tamariki to follow their curiosity and grow with confidence in safe, spacious indoor and outdoor environments.
What we offer
Passionate, qualified teachers who are dedicated to children’s learning and wellbeing.
Low child-to-carer ratios, ensuring every child receives the attention and care they deserve.
Nutritious meals prepared daily to fuel growing minds and bodies.
A child-centred teaching and learning approach, focused on holistic development through play.
We are committed to ensuring that cost is not a barrier to participation. We will support you in applications for WINZ Childcare subsidies and in circumstances of financial hardship, we offer a fees assistance programme
We’re proud of
Our warm, nurturing, safe environment where pēpi and tamariki learn and grow alongside others through respectful, responsive relationships and inviting play spaces. Tamariki are encouraged to be leaders in their own learning, supported to take risks, problem-solve, and develop resilience.
We’re trusted
Our commitment to excellence is reflected in both parent feedback and ERO comments, which highlight the high-quality care and education we provide. Families choose us because they know their children are in safe, capable, and loving hands.
We support all whānau
We know it takes a village to raise a child. Whether you need practical support from The Salvation Army, are new to Aotearoa New Zealand, or don’t have whānau close by, we are here to walk alongside you. Our centres are not just for children — they are places of connection and support for families.
We welcome everyone
An important part of our faith is welcoming and making space for everyone. We embrace diversity and celebrate each whānau who becomes part of our community.
Our values
Our core values guide everything we do:
Wairuatanga – Spirituality:
We value, foster and live out Christian values.
Whakaute – Respectful Relationships:
We believe that respectful, heart-centred reciprocal relationships are the foundation of our entire approach.
Whanaungatanga – Whānau Connection:
We value whānau and community involvement, seeing whānau as first educators and the experts on their tamariki.
Mātauranga Manaaki – Care as Curriculum:
We believe that rich learning exists within care situations and are passionate about providing an exceptional level of personalised care.
Mana Aotūroa – Exploration:
We believe that every child has their own unique learning dispositions and ways of being. We value free play, natural motor development, child-led learning, inquiry, and discovery.
Harikoa – Joy:
We are a joyful place to be for adults and children alike. We value fun, laughter, love and authenticity.
Kāinga – Our Place:
We strive to create a home away from home and believe in providing a visually beautiful space that nurtures, protects, challenges and inspires.
Te Tiriti ō Waitangi – Our Commitment:
We aim to uphold and honour the principles of Te Tiriti ō Waitangi.