Our Philosophy

At Apple Tree Childcare Centre our vision is to provide quality care and learning for all tamariki and whanau in a home away from home setting.

Our Philosophy

At Apple Tree Childcare, our relationships with children and their whanau form the foundation of their home away from home. We believe that establishing warm and meaningful relationships enables educators to provide the best possible care, curriculum and learning environment that is nurturing, safe and empowering. We believe in setting a foundation for lifelong learning through fostering social, emotional, physical, spiritual and cognitive development and focussing on each child’s individual strengths and abilities.

Our environment promotes learning through active exploration and meaningful play based on children’s passions and interests and encouraging growth in their own unique abilities, confidence and competence.  We respect and celebrate the cultural diversity of each child and their family, ensuring that they feel a sense of belonging and know that they are a valued part of the Apple Tree Whanau.

Our Story

We are a family owned and operated centre. Since 2003 we have worked with many families from the Glenfield and Albany communities to provide high quality childcare and education.  Our team of teachers are highly experienced in providing a warm home away from home and a rich learning environment for your children.

 

    • A warm, calm and loving environment gives children the best opportunity to flourish and grow, so we have created a home away from home.
    • We believe that each child is unique and has the capability to become competent contributors to our communities and society.
    • Working closely with whanau enables us to support children in a way that families can be proud of.
    • We cherish the unique strengths and potential of all children and celebrate the diversity of our multicultural families and community.

Philosophy & Mission

To create a warm, calm and loving environment. Giving children the best opportunity to flourish and grow. For that reason, we've created a home away from home.

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Helping Your Child Explore, Grow, & Learn

We pride ourselves in the provision of a holistic curriculum that encompasses the Principles and goals of Te Whariki, the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum. At Apple Tree we encourage and support a life-long love for learning. Our curriculum allows for facilitated and self-directed learning, self-initiated spontaneous interactions and experiences that engage the children as a whole. Problem solving, determination and empathy are interwoven with the essential building blocks of literacy and numeracy – all within a caring and encouraging environment.

Programs

Albany

Infants

Our curriculum supports infants to learn through caring relationships and routines in a predictable and unhurried environment. The child’s key teacher works closely with families to respond to the changing needs of each infant and provide a range of play experiences that encourages learning in authentic and meaningful ways.

Under 2s

Educators work alongside children to support their greater capacity to engage in social relationships and competency in communication and oral language. We provide opportunities for children to begin to express their feelings and start to develop important social skills such as empathy, cooperation and self-regulation. The child’s key teacher works with families to build on the child’s strengths, passions and curiosities and create a foundation for lifelong learning. 

Over 2s

As children grow through our programme they are encouraged to develop increased responsibility and independence allowing for autonomy and competence. The child’s key teachers works alongside families to challenge the child’s thinking, problem solve, make choices and take calculated risks. We encourage children to develop their own identity through their strengths and abilities while also fostering empathy, respect and a greater understanding of the wider world.

Pathways to school

Our pathways to school programme ensures that children are getting the best possible start before they move onto the next part of their learning journey. We work alongside schools in the area to meet the expectations of becoming a new entrant. The child’s key teacher works alongside families to develop positive attitudes to and expectations for learning. Educators provide a range of opportunities to support the development of literacy and mathematical concepts, creating a good foundation of learning before moving on to school.

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Glenfield

Over 2s

As children grow through our programme, they are encouraged to develop increased responsibility and independence allowing for autonomy and competence. The child’s key teachers works alongside families to challenge the child’s thinking, problem solve, make choices and take calculated risks. We encourage children to develop their own identity through their strengths and abilities while also fostering empathy, respect and a greater understanding of the wider world.

Pathways to school

Our pathways to school programme ensures that children are getting the best possible start before they move onto the next part of their learning journey. We work alongside schools in the area to meet the expectations of becoming a new entrant. The child’s key teacher works alongside families to develop positive attitudes to and expectations for learning. Educators provide a range of opportunities to support the development of literacy and mathematical concepts, creating a good foundation of learning before moving on to school.

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What Our Families are Saying

Vicky

Being the first time parent and raising my son abroad, I not only need to consider whether my child can settle well in a new environment, but also I was concerned about the language challenges (as we speak Mandarin at home) and cultural differences.

 

I’m very thankful for the effort the teachers at Apple Tree have put in creating a ‘home away from home’ for my precious one. He has developed so much confidence and has formed a strong bond with a number of teachers.

 

第一次做家长并在国外养育我的儿子，我不仅需要考虑我的孩子是否能在新的环境中安顿下来，而且我还担心语言挑战（因为我们在家里说中文）和文化差异。 非常感谢Apple Tree的老师为我的宝贝创造一个“家外之家”而付出的努力。他建立了更强的自信心，并与多位教师建立了牢固的信任

Nicky and Nicko - Noelle's Parents

Our daughter Noelle came to Apple Tree when she was 9 months old, and stayed until she turned 5. In that time she laughed and learnt so much with the other kids and teachers. We could not be happier with the kind, loving and nurturing staff, and how they prepared Noelle for the transition to primary school. To quote Noelle, “Apple Tree is the best. 100 out of 100”. As parents we felt supported, at ease and knew Noelle was spending each day somewhere that brought her joy. Apple Tree felt like a home away from home for Noelle, and our whole family made lifelong connections with the staff and other families there. As well as foundational numeracy and literacy skills Noelle learned valuable life skills, emotional literacy, independence, confidence, and interpersonal skills that we still see her enact each day. The staffs at Apple Tree always look for the unique values, talents and personalities of the kids and encourage them to grow their sense of self. We feel lucky to have shred many special years with the Apple Tree whanau.

 

Michelle- Kate's dad

The Apple Tree Childcare Centre is a perfect place for our little girl Kate as the teachers are very lovely and friendly and provide a loving environment for her to grow and develop. Every day she spends time with people who genuinely care for her and support her in having fun and growing as a little person. We are really happy with the standard of care our daughter receives from the Apple Tree and want to thank for the assistance and care of her.

Kylie – Spencer's mum

My Son had never been under any one else’s care other than mine and my husband’s since he was born. Apple Tree pre school is the perfect fit for our family. With the amazing great teachers and staff, our son was able to have a very smooth transition and we’ve noticed so much growth in him since starting. The staff are so attentive, nurturing, loving and caring with all of the children and the centre always has a warm homely feel which really makes it a home away from home. They offer great activities, art projects, the perfect amount of structure/routine including mat time, meal times and fun outside in the most amazing outdoor area as well as beginning academics to help the kids get introduced to school. I would never want to send my child anywhere else. We have complete peace in mind every day our son is here, which exceeds all of our hopes for what a daycare could be. We wish they had a school program, we would never leave. Highly recommend to all of our family and friends.