About Our Centre

Rotorua Girls’ High School Childcare Trust is a small community based early childhood service. We cater for up to 30 tamariki from 3 months to 5 years, in a stimulating educational environment. Our centre was established around 1985 to provide a service for the local community. Today people from the wider Rotorua community, many of whom are linked with the education sector, use our centre.

We believe in strong links and ongoing collaborative communication between tamariki, parents, whānau, kaiako and the Trust. As a community of educators and learners, we are dedicated to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi in all aspects of teaching and learning through the engagement of dual heritage practices, and working with the Early Childhood Curriculum, Te Whāriki, reflecting each child’s individual strengths and interests.

The childcare is located within the Rotorua Girls’ High School grounds, accessed via the High School’s Miro Street driveway. This location is close to the central business district of Rotorua which includes a varied range of social, economic, and ethnic groups.

Generally, we operate alongside the primary school terms and are open for approximately 43 weeks of the year, Monday to Friday from 7.45 am to 5 pm. There are shorter hours in the first three days of each holiday period and then we close until the new term starts.

Currently there are several cultures represented within the centre, with some tamariki speaking English as their second language.

The teaching team are qualified, certified teachers. The centre has excellent kaiako continuity, which is pivotal in building receptive and reciprocal relationships between tamariki and whānau.

The centre operates within a flexible daily flow recognising that each tamaiti has an individual rhythm and we embrace this uniqueness. Each tamaiti has a Key Teacher who is in tune with the care moments of these rhythms, working closely with the parents and whānau adjusting to what has happened at home and providing a smooth transition into the tamaiti’s childcare day. These care moments can include eating, sleeping, and nappy changes. While the relationships developed are intimate, they are by no means exclusive and tamariki can seek out other kaiako at any time. Each day changes according to the strengths and interests of the tamariki.

7.45am Our centre opens.

Tamariki begin to arrive with their parents and whānau and are welcomed by the kaiako.

There are two morning tea times with younger tamariki being supported by their Key Teacher during kai times.

Tamariki initiate their own programme of learning with support from kaiako.

11.00am Lunch times begin.

Sleep time, rest, or quiet playing time.

1.30pm Tamariki begin to wake, and choose their own play

There are two afternoon tea times.

3.00pm Tamariki continue with their learning through play as parents and whānau begin arriving

5.00pm Our centre closes

Included with these daily activities are regular walks in the community including the local marae, parks, schools, library, and rest home.