Hero image

SIT CHILDCARE CENTRE

Hero image

SIT CHILDCARE CENTRE

Hero image

SIT CHILDCARE CENTRE

SIT CHILDCARE CENTRE

The SIT Childcare Centre is welcoming, friendly and safe.

Childcare for all the Community. SIT Early Childhood Centre caters for a wide range of the community’s childcare needs, from babies through to pre-schoolers. Our well-established facility has been twenty-six years in its current site on the corner of Ness and Eye Streets; the convenient location is handy for parents needing proximity to central Invercargill. We have an experienced team of staff – a high percentage (98%) of whom are fully qualified early childhood teachers. Children in our care benefit from long-serving team members who have a great knowledge base and are also passionate about providing the best level of care. Our Centre believes in quality education and care, so we have above the Ministry required staff/child ratio’s.  

Each area has their own outdoor, all-weather play space, allowing for fresh air and activities, regardless of the weather. 

We aim to work in partnership with children, parents/whānau to build strong, trusting, open relationships that will allow the children to become independent, confident, active explorers, contributing to their own learning in an environment that is filled with challenging experiences, laughter and fun. 

 

Our Parent Support committee is coordinate by parents/whanau that attend the centre. The committee is a voice that enables parents to be actively involved in the decision making and review process of policies and procedures for the centre to ensure expectations and outcomes for the children can be met. Our committee is also involved with fundraising for special events such as the Disco, Christmas Party and for “special” equipment/resources. 

Childcare Centre Gallery


Our Vision

Ka whakarato tātou i tētahi taiao haumaru me he taiao  poipoi me te wero hoki i runga i ngā akoranga torotoro me te ngākau nui ki te whakakaha i ngā whakahoahoa i te taha o ngā tamariki me ngā whanau hoki. Nā roto i ngā kōrero tuwhera, te whakaute, me te whakawhirinaki. He mea nui kia matou ki te whakamana ngā iwi rerekē katoa o te hāpori nei, ā, ki te whai i te ngākau nui ki te ako i roto i ngā tamariki katoa.

Kia Ora, We provide a safe, nurturing and challenging environment based on exploration and intentional teaching, where strong partnerships with tamariki and whanau are created through open communication, respect, and trust. We value our culturally diverse community and aim to foster a love of learning in all children. Live, strive, succeed

Our Fees

$7.00 per hour / $220 per week (for 35 hours or more over 5 days) or $115 (for 3-6 years old) (35 or more hours per week over 5 days)

Centre offers 20 ECE hours. 

Includes: Inside/Outside play; Targeted learning experiences to build on children’s growing capabilities; Individual Learning Development plans; Fantastic teacher child ratios with small group sizes; Regular outings to our version of Bush School.

Conditions for the set rate are:

Actual attendance must be 35 hours plus per week. The set rate applies regardless of Public Holidays, days off, shortened hours or teacher only days (maximum of one per year)

Childcare Subsidy:

There is a subsidy available through Work and Income New Zealand. This is based on personal circumstances and income - more information here.

Learning & Capacity

We use Storypark as a tool to share, record and communicate learning as it happens by sharing photos, video, audio, observations and routines within a secure online environment.

Being centrally located we regularly provide the children with the opportunity to explore their local environment and make connections to the community, including regular outings to our version “Bush School”.

We are licenced for 74 children and have 3 separate rooms (0-2) – (2-3.5) and (3.5-6) for age appropriate play and exploration including extra large  separate outdoor spaces.

 

Parents Feedback

Arthur's parent

Our son, Arthur, has been thriving at SIT Childcare for about a year now. Since he started at six months old, we've appreciated the insightful, kind, and caring guidance provided by his kaiako. We've never doubted his safety or the warmth of the environment he experiences in Room One. Arthur has been so lucky to be introduced to diverse cultures by doing activities such as artwork and cooking, and special event days like dress ups have meant he has been able to share his own heritage with his friends, which has really enriched his time here. As first-time parents the support we have received from all the team at SIT Early Childhood Centre has been invaluable, guiding our journey with expertise and compassion. Dropping him off each morning fills us with confidence, knowing he'll have an epic day exploring new wonders.

Arthur's parent
Tarryn - Parent

SIT Childcare has been a great fit for Alex since he was 6 months old. They've made everything easy. Alex loves going to daycare and participating in activities with all his friends. The teachers also keep us really well-informed about his progress. We highly recommend sending your child here.

Tarryn - Parent
Ryan Batt - Parent

SIT Childcare has been great for our daughter. The teachers are so supportive, not only of our daughter but us as parents as well. They are caring and willing to help when needed.  Throughout all the rooms we have felt the care and education for her, and our family has been great. Their experienced teachers are amazing and we can’t thank them enough.

Ryan Batt - Parent
Alaina Oakley - Parent

My two granddaughters both attended SIT Early Learning Centre and now my grandson also attends. My family have had a lot to do with the centre over a number of years as my nephews and niece also attended. We have always felt very welcome and they all embraced our family as a whole. My granddaughters learnt a lot from being there and I've noticed some changes in my grandson now as well. I would recommend the centre to anyone looking for a pre-school.  I also have found all staff very caring and understanding not only with the children but also us as well.

Alaina Oakley - Parent
Julia Shannon - Parent

Our family chose to come to SIT Childcare because we observed an inclusive environment that catered to the diverse range of learners in each classroom. We value the student-centred approach where the teachers accommodate whatever interests the tamariki have and incorporate our families goals towards this learning. Our children have been given the opportunity to explore a range of cultural experiences, community excursions, bush school, and the chance to give back to the wider community. We love that the classrooms have the chance to play with each other and the staff know all the students throughout the centre, not just the ones in their rooms. The staff are friendly, welcoming, flexible and understanding of our family and our commitments. It is a centre with a warm family feel, and we are so grateful our children were able to spend their early years here.  

Julia Shannon - Parent

Teachers profiles

profileImg

Kirsten, graduated from the University of Otago, with a Bachelor of Teaching. Up-to-date knowledge on current theory and practice. Kirsten uses both formal and informal assessment to share learning and gain insight from whānau to support learning progression over time for tamariki.

Kirsten
profileImg

Steph, 20 years plus experience in Early Childhood Education. Steph holds a Bachelor of Education (Teaching) and is passionate about children being immersed in outdoor learning, along with becoming kaitiakitanga (guardians) of our place. 

Steph
profileImg

Mel, an experienced infant and toddler kaiako with sound knowledge in best practice for our priority learners. Mel creates spaces where children can learn through open ended resources within supportive and attentive caring environments. Mel has a Bachelor of Education (teaching). 

Mel
profileImg

Donna has been teaching for 20 years plus and has worked in all age ranges from infants, toddlers to young children. Donna has a Bachelor of Education (teaching) and values whanaungatanga and building positive, respectful and reciprocal relationships with tamariki and their whānau.

Donna
profileImg

Sarah is  a new graduate of Open Polytechnic, New Zealand. She holds a Bachelor in Teaching ECE. Sarah is passionate about providing an environment where Tamariki become kaitiaki and gain confidence of their physical abilities, to learn to take safe risks and make sense of their world.

Sarah
profileImg

Jaspreet is currently completing a Graduate Diploma in ECE. She brings a wealth of knowledge from her teaching experiences in India, her home country. Speaking a wide range of languages, helps her settle and comfort our diverse learners. Relationships with children and whānau are a priority.

Jaspreet