The purpose of Newtown Early Learning Centre is to offer the children of Wellington high-quality, sessional early childcare and education.

Shannan
Shannan completed her BEd (teaching) and began teaching in 2003. She has been at Newtown Early Learning Centre since 2008. Shannan has a passion for preparing children for their transition to school. She has two sons who both attend the centre and she loves being with family and friends in her spare time.

Our history

In February 1985 a small group of parents and care-givers decided to set up a community crèche. The centre opened in June 1985 with one paid worker supported by parent helpers.

Over time, the centre evolved into a fully professional education centre with qualified teaching staff. The community of parents and caregivers still owns and governs the centre, and the community is still involved in its day-to-day running.

Through the generosity of the Ministry of Education, Wellington City Council and the community, and the hard work of volunteers, new premises were constructed and opened by Hon Steve Maharey, the Minister of Education, on 8 June 2007.

In 2012 we refurbished the centre with the installation of a wharenui, outdoor teaching and play areas, and other upgrades.

In 2015 we changed our name to Newtown Early Learning Centre to better reflect the importance we place on providing high quality education and childcare for Wellington children. We also refreshed our ‘look’ and started making plans to further develop our outdoor area, with an exciting outdoor space to be set aside especially for our youngest children.

We continue to provide child care and education of the highest standard through our talented teaching team, and the parents and whanau of our children still maintain daily involvement in the life of the centre.

Our philosophy

Organisation

Newtown Early Learning Centre is a charitable organisation owned by the parents and whanau of enrolled children.

Management philosophy

• We provide high quality care and education for children aged 1 to 5 years
• We provide sessional (part-day) care because we believe that most young children benefit from spending more time in their home environments
• Our teaching staff are qualified, professional educators and we trust and value their expertise and knowledge
• We provide our teaching staff with on-going professional development
• We maintain excellent (better than regulations) child-to-teacher ratios
• We keep staff turnover to a minimum in order to provide stability for the children
• We acknowledge that parents and whanau are our children’s first and most important educators
• We help and encourage parents and whanau to be involved in the education of their children at the centre and at home
• We welcome, expect and encourage parents and whanau to be involved in the running of the centre
• We expect the centre to be managed in an efficient and professional manner
• We occupy and manage purpose-built, well maintained premises
• We provide the children and teaching staff with a wide range of quality resources and materials suitable for the education of young children
• We keep childcare costs to a minimum without sacrificing the quality of our children’s care and education
• We keep our policies and procedures under review and meet all Ministry and council requirements to a high standard

Teaching philosophy

Currently being updated