Peanuts Early Learning Centre Whitianga

Our philosophy

Peanuts is a place where relationships matter. We believe in order to touch a child's mind, first we must reach their heart. To do this we believe in developing nurturing, trusting, respectful and caring relationships which embrace both children and their whānau. We value parents as their child's first and most important teacher in life.

We are influenced by the RIE philosophy which practice focuses on key teacher care, freedom of movement and respect for infants. We never lose sight of the fact that we are caring for your child in partnership with you.

"Children are not things to be moulded, but people to be unfolded"

Why choose us?

Alongside our excellent child:teacher ratio we offer age-specific, calm, natural and thoughtfully resourced environments; encouraging tamariki of all ages, abilities, interests and backgrounds to engage in the learning that captures their interests.

Set close to town on an acre of land with the sounds of native bird life and beach to play too, tamariki at Peanuts are able to enjoy plenty of space to run and explore. Our rich indoor and outdoor environments are the ideal setting for children to unfold, explore, challenge themselves, create new friendships and gain a love of learning.

Our learning environments

Te Ruma Ruru (The Ruru Room) age 0-2/2.5 years

Named for our guardian resident Ruru (morepork) Molly, Te Ruma Ruru caters for our infants and toddlers in a calm, unhurried environment designed to evoke the comforting feeling of home. The thoughtfully resourced and staffed environment reflects the belief that our infants and toddlers deserve the very best start in life. Teaching practice in the Ruru Room is heavily influenced by the RIE/Pikler philosophy. Here your infant or toddler will be supported and cared for in an unhurried, calm and respectful manner that follows their individual routines, preferences and rhythms.

Te Ruma Tui (The Tui Room) age 2/2.5 - 6

The environment in Te Ruma Tui is designed to facilitate choice, challenge, wonderment, self-direction and inspire tamariki to follow their interests. The kaiako in the Tui Room guide a program which is child-led, individually planned around each child's interests in a thoughtfully resourced environment to cater for a wide variety of interests, ages and preferences. School readiness and key competencies (social skills, pre-literacy and pre-maths etc) are interwoven throughout the daily routines of Te Ruma Tui in an organic manner, setting a culture of responsibility, kindness, respect and integrity.

Our Infant and Toddler Outside Play Area

Our Infant  and toddler outside play space is a beautiful natural place for exploring and learning with nature.

We have an open door policy. If you wish to know more about our centre, please feel free to phone or come and see us.

Nga mihi, 
The Peanuts Team.