97 Harewood Road, Bryndwr, Christchurch 8053
Welcome:
Aratupu is a place where children play, learn, and explore their unique passions and strengths. It’s a place where parents, whānau, and kaiako gather to chat, laugh, and problem solve. It's a place where anything is possible.
Our learning spaces
Our indoor learning space was created for exploratory play in a home away from home setting. Our centre’s inclusive and holistic learning principles can be seen throughout this space, from the communal story time mat to the free-play discovery areas.
Aratupu is home to multiple spaces where tamariki create masterpieces, read quietly, dance freely, enjoy kai, engage in group exploratory play, or spend quiet time reflecting among our indoor trees.
Our nursery space is divided by a half wall so tamariki can share their space or engage with each other across the wall.
Our large outdoor area is a natural environment – perfect for teddy bear picnics and free exploration! Grass, sand, gardens, trees, and unique play structures provide natural sensory experiences that positively contribute to the health and wellbeing of Aratupu tamariki.
Our vegetable garden enables Aratupu tamariki to experience growing vegetables, garden to plate, and to appreciate where our food comes from.
Our play equipment is tailored for maximum challenge and exploration.
Our equipment and tools are largely unfixed so that tamariki can mix and match equipment to create their own adventure.
This is a safe space where Aratupu babies can discover the world around them. Our small group size ensures that every baby receives the highest quality care and attention from nappies and feeds to enriching playtime.
We keep our baby groups small and intimate to mimic home routines calmly and peacefully. The nursery space is designed to be a blank canvas which can be adapted throughout the day to meet the interests and needs of individual tamariki.
Our whānau hub is where the Aratupu whānau comes together to chat, laugh, learn, and grow. Hannah (your dedicated whānau support) hosts workshops, community events, and coffee groups in this space. In line with our educational ethos, ako, we’ve found that when the entire whānau is problem solving and learning together, children flourish.
To teach and to learn
In te ao Māori, the concept of ako recognises that everyone in a classroom brings knowledge with them from which others can learn. It describes a teaching and learning relationship where the kaiako is both teaching the tamariki and learning from the tamariki. The result is a holistic, inclusive learning community where both kaiako and tamariki feel empowered to participate to their full potential.
At Aratupu, our education practices are informed by the latest research. Every child is on their own pathway to growth and our kaiako focus on developing a natural curiosity and passion for discovery. Every day, Aratupu tamariki are encouraged to explore their unique passions and strengths through play and evidence-based education.
This holistic approach supports each child to develop and grow at their own pace while sowing the seeds for lifelong learning.
Pathway to growth
Through exploratory play and individual child planning, Aratupu tamariki are empowered to learn and grow at their own pace. Every day, our kaiako make numbers and letters fun, encourage risks and creative problem solving, champion identity and culture (we want our tamariki to be proud of who they are), create opportunities for movement and independence, and provide support as our tamariki learn to express and manage their emotions.
Aratupu tamariki graduate with the knowledge, sense of identity, and interpersonal skills required to thrive in a school environment.
Every child receives a foundation for lifelong learning during their time at Aratupu. Our building blocks are natural curiosity and a passion for discovery. To achieve this we have:
We’re proud to be recognised as a leading early childhood education centre. Our ERO report highlights include:
"Teachers/Kaiako combine their big hearts with their knowledge and experience to provide a responsive environment where tamariki are empowered to grow and develop in their own way and at their own pace." Marcia
“Aratupu is like my second home. I feel valued for being me; my children and I are not judged. We all feel safe here. My kids learn so much coming here. Everyone is so kind and caring.” Tarsh
“I've never been somewhere where I feel so comfortable. I enjoy being able to hang around and spend time with my kids, get help with the things I want to achieve and make new friends." Trace
