Hit enter to search or ESC to close
Spacious and Natural Environment
Our centre has a calm, welcoming feel, where children are truly known as individuals. We take the time to understand each child, who they are, what they enjoy, and how they learn best. Transitions within the centre are guided by readiness, not age, allowing children to move at their own pace with confidence and security.
Supporting children to become independent learners is a key focus for us. We encourage children to make decisions, solve problems, and take ownership of their learning in ways that feel meaningful to them. Our kaiako are there to guide and support, while also giving children the space to try, explore, and build confidence in their own abilities.
For our youngest tamariki, our under twos space is supported by a highly experienced and long standing team who bring consistency, care, and deep understanding to their practice. They create a calm, nurturing environment where strong, trusting relationships are formed, giving our infants the best possible start to their learning journey.
Guiding Authentic Learning Pathways
Our centre is led by an experienced Centre Manager who has been part of our community for over five years. This continuity brings a strong sense of stability and leadership, supporting a team culture where relationships, care, and high-quality practice are consistently valued.
We believe that what truly sets us apart is the way we work together, with children, with whānau, and as a team. It’s a place where children feel safe to be themselves, where families feel connected, and where learning is built on trust, respect, and genuine partnership.
Pathways to Exploration, Discovery, and Adventure!
Smooth transitions are not just about moving from one thing to another; they’re about nurturing a child’s sense of security, belonging, and confidence as they navigate their journey of growth and discovery. We’re here to support you and your tamaiti. An individual centered needs approach is taken to best suit the needs of you and your tamaiti. We use settling visits as a way to get to know you and your child, discuss current routines, and for you to see what a day in the life at Busy Bees Whitby looks like!
We use an online platform called Storypark to capture your childs learning during their days with us. We use this as a way to communicate with you, and share photos of your little one so that you know they are comfortable from their very first day.
Pathways to preschool
We foster pathways without obstacles. The transition is not based on age, rather stage. The process is based of readiness and agency displayed by the tamaiti and whānau wishes.
We cater to the individual needs of the tamaiti and whānau. This is done through our Pathways to preschool hui, where whānau korero with a kaiako from each room to discuss the transition.
We tailor the transition to cater for the tamaiti with a holistic lens that cares for their emotional wellbeing. Relationships are at the heat of the transition process. Kaiako spend intentional time getting to know the tamaiti and whānau to establish the foundations before they are in a new environment. Through invitations to Preschool, following the tamaiti lead, and open conversations with whānau, tamariki establish their sense of belonging and connectedness to Preschool.
Our Environment
Our outdoor environment includes a much loved wilderness space, where children can explore, take risks, and connect with the natural world. It is a place where curiosity leads the way, whether that is searching for bugs, navigating natural spaces, or simply enjoying the freedom to explore.
We also place real value on extending children’s learning beyond the centre. Excursions are a regular part of our programme, giving children opportunities to connect with their community and experience learning in the real world.
Heart Foundation Awarded
We are extremely proud and excited to announce that we have received a Tohu Manawa Ora | Healthy Heart Award from the Heart Foundation for the amazing things we do to promote healthy food and physical activity. We are helping our tamariki to have healthy habits and healthy hearts for life.
Wellbeing is an important part of everyday life at our centre. Our inhouse cook prepares fresh, nutritious meals each day using our Nourish menus and recipes, which are based on the New Zealand Heart Foundation Tohu Manawa Ora Healthy Heart Award for Early Learning Centres. We are also working towards our Gold Healthy Heart Award, reflecting our ongoing commitment to supporting children’s health and positive habits in a meaningful way. We believe that through nourishing food, children are supported to thrive both physically and mentally, while also enjoying the social connection that comes from sharing meals together as a group.
Curriculum
We are committed to follow the aspirations of the New Zealand National ECE Curriculum, Te Whāriki. Te Whāriki envisages kaiako in early learning settings working in partnership with parents, whānau and community to realise this vision. The expectation is that, in their early years, children will experience a curriculum that empowers them as lifelong learners, right from their early exploration of the world around them, through to preparation for school.
Pathways to Kura
As tamariki start on their journey to kura, we work in partnership with whānau to create a smooth transition to kura. We share our knowledge about your tamati through the lens of our curriculum, Te Whariki and linking this to kura. We use our professional knowledge and our relationships with local kura through the kahui ako, to share with whānau.
From this we work together to action individual goals to foster positive pathway to kura and beyond. Setting them up to be life long learners!
We capture their pathway to kura through meaningful discussions, and celebrate their journey with a whakawhiti with whānau.
Our plaques represent tamariki who have left to go to kura both locally and further afield. Teachers spend time with a child nearing the age of 5 to complete their handprints, and we add the child's ingoa (their name) along with their leave date and the kura they are going to.
This is a right of passage in our centre and a tradition we have continued, the plaques began back December 2013 and today, you will notice plaques in the entranceway and are now beginning to cover our front fence!
Whānau Check-Ins
At Busy Bees Whitby we embody the concept of whanaungatanga by hosting whānau check-ins bi-annually at a minimum. Whānau check-ins provide an opportunity for you to have an uninterrupted korero to reconnect with Kaiako and action or revisit learning goals, aspirations and discuss what’s on top for you at home.
The latest buzz
Show all
Testimonials
