The Learning Space Childcare Centre – Eden Terrace, Auckland
The Learning Space is an early learning centre located in Eden Terrace, Auckland City, handy to the Auckland CBD and surrounding suburbs.
The environment at The Learning Space is filled with light, natural and recycled materials to provoke a sense of wonder and curiosity. It is a small, intimate space for only 23 children aged between 3 months and 3 years allowing for strong relationships between children, parents/whanau and kaiako- educators. We are open from 8:00 am – 5:30 pm Monday – Friday.
The foundation to Eden Terraces philosophy is born from relationships: equal partnerships between, caregivers, whānau, our wider community and the environments we move through. These respectful and responsive relationships reflect our ever-evolving culture, with kindness and mana atua at the core of our being. We continue to be influenced and guided by the philosophies of Te Ao Māori, Dr Emmi Pikler and the principles and practices of Reggio Emilia.
These three philosophies are largely visible in our physical space and inform our learning. The small group size enables a family-like environment to grow. It is reflected in how we relate in this space and the language we use; our rooms are bedrooms, dining room, living room and garden. The teachers are called Aunties, it is our home. We recognise that each child is on a unique journey, and they are the living link between the past, the present and the future. The Aunties support and guide the children empowering them as active learners on this journey.
The values of kindness, respect, trust, collaboration, joy, and wonder shaper our culture and are visible in our daily practices and rituals that we participate in. We have bundles of open ended play resources to. provoke wonder and curiosity. Children are valued as fee and equal human beings who are at all times allowed to tune into their bodies and into their play. Children are supported by Aunties who are actively listening and responding to children’s needs in order for children to develop and explore in their own time and at their own readiness.
Parent and whānau participation is fundamental for enriching the daily life at our Space, embracing partnership with both local and wider communities. We are grateful for the opportunity to use te reo Māori in our practice alongside the diversity of additional languages and cultural experiences that families share in our Space
“Take care of our children. Take care of what they hear, take care of what they see, take care of what they feel. For how the children grow, so will be the shape of Aotearoa.” – Dame Whina Cooper
The Learning Space is found at the end of a quiet street over the road from Basque Park – Te Uru Karaka, Close to the Newton Rd, North Western Motorway interchange. We are handy to Ponsonby, Mt Eden, Sandringham, Grey Lynn and Kingsland and are convenient if travelling through this area to the Auckland CBD or Newmarket.
