Welcome to Greytown Early Years

Where tamariki thrive in a warm, inclusive environment that celebrates their unique identity and fosters a lifelong love of learning through meaningful relationships and purposeful play.

Tamariki playing together at Greytown Early Years

At Early Years, we believe in the power of play, relationships, and belonging. Nestled in the heart of our Greytown community, our early childhood centre offers a nurturing environment where tamariki can explore, create, and grow in their own time.

Our experienced kaiako build strong relationships with children and whānau. We value each child's unique identity and whakapapa, and our learning environment reflects our community's diversity. Through local waiata and daily karakia kai, we embrace a bicultural approach grounded in Te Whāriki.

Transitions — particularly the important step to school — are thoughtfully supported, ensuring every child leaves us feeling confident and connected. Our values of trust, happiness, communication, motivation, and respect shape all that we do.

At Early Years, your child's journey is nurtured and celebrated — every step of the way.

Te Kaupapa - Our Philosophy

Children exploring the natural outdoor environment

Kaitiakitanga (Environment)

Greytown Early Years, an engaging, welcoming, safe and secure home away from home. A responsive, dynamic environment that reflects our diverse learning community, nurtures wairua and strengthens our connection with the natural world, in a sustainable way.

Kaiako and tamariki building warm relationships

Whanaungatanga (Relationships)

We nurture trust, and take pride in building kind, genuine connections between our learners, their whānau and our community, which are respectful with warmth and aroha.

Rangatiratanga (Lifelong Learners)

We encourage and support our community of learners to be curious and creative. To embrace challenges and guide their own learning through play. To share and grow their sense of wonder and joy as we investigate ideas, interests and passions together, to build on and develop learner identity.

Tamariki learning and playing together at Greytown Early Years

Whakapapa (Identity)

We value our unique heritages as a taonga tuku iho (treasured legacy). We celebrate the richness of our whānau as we embrace the diverse languages, traditions, and worldviews of our whānau and wider hapori (community). By recognising and uplifting every tamaiti whakapapa, we create a learning environment where tamariki feel a deep sense of belonging, pride, and connection to both their heritage and the global community.

What Our Whānau Say

My children absolutely love their time at Early Years. The teachers are caring, approachable and extremely dedicated. My daughter has many food allergies, along with eczema so initially the idea of sending her off to daycare made me a bit nervous. But the team are so diligent with kai time that I shouldn't have worried. Any new medications (e.g asthma inhaler) or eczema regimes they have taken within their stride.

The Adventurers and Explorers program is so wonderful. Every week I ask my daughter what she got up to and where they went. At first (when she had just turned 3) it was a bit of a guessing game as to what they actually got up to. But now (she is 4) it is amazing the details she shares with us.

Sam

Parent of 4-year-old and 2 year old

The best part of our experience at Early Years so far is the people and the calm settled environment. Really appreciate the number of teachers around, it feels like there is always someone to talk to.

Emma

Parent of 2-year-old

We are so happy with the care of my son. I am loving how early years is teaching him te ao Māori - I especially loved being informed by early years of a matariki waiata that he is being taught - knowing this and being sent the link I now sing it with him at home and it's very special.

Kirsty

Parent of 2-year-old

We are fully supportive of early years commitment to supporting te ao Māori in the curriculum and feel it enriches our whanau.

Natalie

Parent of 2-year-old

This centre feels like an extension of our whānau. The close, trusting relationships the kaiako build with our tamariki are at the heart of everything. It's a second home for our kids, and it's a beautiful thing to drop them off and see their faces light up because they feel safe, loved, and excited to be there. We are so grateful to be part of such a special little community.

Anneke

Parent of 4-year-old and 1 year old twins

Start Your Child's Journey

Ready to give your child the best start in their early learning journey? Join our nurturing community where tamariki thrive through play, discovery, and meaningful relationships. Contact us today to learn more about our programmes and schedule a visit.