OUR PHILOSOPHY
Our teachers draw on a range of teaching approaches and neuroscience research to guide their practice and we have used our wealth of experience to develop our centre philosophy.
Our philosophy reflects the very essence of Murrays Bay Childcare - warmth, peace, calm and caring - and encompasses the principles and strands of our early childhood curriculum, Te Whāriki.
The Environment as the Third Teacher
Our teaching team makes use of our 1/4 acre traditional kiwi backyard and home to provide learning opportunities for our children to connect with and foster respect for their environment.
Our children feel empowered to take risks, collaborate, build relationships and learn about their place in the world, all the while inspiring curiosity and exploration which encourages children to make their own discoveries and develop their own theories.
Collaborative Relationships
We have an enriched culture at Murrays Bay Childcare that encompasses whanaungatanga (relationships, kinship and a sense of family connection created through shared experiences and working together).
Our older tamariki support their younger friends in our mixed aged centre which reflects the tuakana teina concept.
We celebrate the experiences, interests and unique skills that our teachers, children and family members bring to our community. Children and their whānau are at the heart of everything we do at our centre.
The Right to Play
Our children at Murrays Bay Childcare are competent and confident learners. We acknowledge the importance of play for children’s learning and our teachers have a deep understanding of the opportunities play provides.
In their play, our children are supported to make their own choices, solve problems, develop independence, take responsibility and be creative.
Meaningful provocations for thinking and creating are provided by our community of learners on a daily basis at the centre and the play experiences and learning journeys of the children are documented in a way that is visible to them and their families.
"From the moment we walked in, it felt like home. We had initially planned to enroll our daughter elsewhere, but her immediate connection to this center made the decision easy—it was love at first sight. The way Tiana settled in so quickly speaks volumes about the warmth and care provided here.
The teachers at MBCC are exceptional. They don’t just care for the children—they connect with them, nurture their growth, and create a space where every child feels genuinely valued. It’s clear how much love and dedication goes into everything they do.
The calm, welcoming atmosphere is perfect for learning, play, and personal growth. There are days when I wish I could be a child again, just to experience it myself! We’re so grateful to have found MBCC—it’s everything we hoped for and more. Tiana is thriving here, and we couldn’t be happier."