Warm, nurturing care
We build relationships of trust with every child and their whānau, guided by kindness, respect and consistency — the meaning of atawhai itself.
Nau mai, haere mai — Welcome
A place of kindness, curiosity and care
Atawhai Kids is a warm, teacher-led early childhood centre in the heart of Atawhai, Nelson — caring for tamariki from three months old until they start school.
3 mths–5 yrsEvery stage, cared for
Up to 50tamariki, high ratios
7.45–5.15Monday to Friday
AtawhaiNelson
Our centre
High-quality care, from the very first steps
Here at Atawhai Kids we pride ourselves on providing high-quality care and education for children aged from three months until they start school. Our centre operates with a maximum group size of 50 children at any time, and a high ratio of teachers to tamariki.
All of our teaching staff are either fully qualified early childhood teachers or teachers in training. We're an all-day centre, open Monday to Friday from 7.45am to 5.15pm, and children can be enrolled for mornings, afternoons, or full days. We're open year-round, closing only for public holidays and a two-week break over Christmas and New Year.
- Fully qualified kaiako
- High teacher ratios
- Open-door policy
- Teacher-led programme
Why whānau choose us
A community that grows together
A highly qualified, experienced teaching team and an educational programme where every child is supported, encouraged and challenged to learn in a positive, safe environment.
Natural, outdoor play
We're proud of our challenging yet natural physical environment, with regular walks to local parks and excursions across the Nelson community.
Seamless transitions
Strong relationships with Clifton Terrace School and Hira Rural School support a smooth, confident transition when it's time to start school.
Bicultural & multicultural
Rich in te reo, tikanga and every culture we welcome
Atawhai Kids is proud of the culturally diverse range of families we serve. We're fully committed to a learning environment rich in te reo Māori and tikanga, alongside the many other cultures represented in our community.
Please share any cultural practices you value and would like to see embraced by the centre — we'd love to weave them into our days together.
"We strive to deliver every part of our programme with sensitive, respectful and deliberate interactions."
Documenting the journey
Your child's learning, shared both ways
Every child's learning is documented in their own profile book and on Storypark, a secure online version of their learning log. Full-time tamariki receive at least six learning stories and two six-monthly "Journeys of Discovery" each year; part-time tamariki receive at least four learning stories and two Journeys of Discovery.
Learning stories show the interests your child is engaging with, the learning they're gaining, and the ways we can extend it further. All teachers contribute, so your child's learning is viewed from many perspectives — with their whānau teacher as the main storyteller.
We believe this should be a two-way conversation between home and the centre, and we warmly encourage input from parents and whānau. Profile books are kept on display, and children are free to browse their own and each other's books.
The joy of Storypark is that you can share your child's journey with the friends and whānau you choose to invite, and add stories from home — so kaiako can see what your tamariki get up to away from the centre too.
Our approach to behaviour
Positive relationships, in partnership with children
Adults who model kindness, respect, caring and consistency set the tone for children to follow. We work in partnership with tamariki, empowering them to make decisions about the things that affect them.
We encourage children to…
Express themselves assertively while showing respect for their own and others' feelings, and make choices about what is happening to them.
And we give them space to…
Take time to make decisions within safe boundaries, and to problem-solve for themselves — with a calm teacher alongside, ready to help.
Come and see us
Wondering if there's a place for your tamaiti?
Our open-door policy means you're welcome to visit anytime and stay for as long — or as short — as you like. To check availability, pop your details on our waiting list.
Get in touch
Atawhai Kids
We'd love to hear from you. Reach out anytime — or drop in and say kia ora.
- Phone+64 (03) 545 2233
- Emailjane@atawhaikids.school.nz
- Address8 Hodgson Place, Atawhai, Nelson 7010