"While the centre is amazing on its own, with areas to inspire any child's imagination; it is the staff that really sets Footprints apart. You are truly made to feel part of the family."
Footprints Early Learning Centre
Footprints is located near the heart of Waihi town, where we have created a home away from home. Our large back garden has been designed to encourage children to connect with nature, create, and use their imagination to its greatest potential.
We work in partnership with parents and children to unfold your child's natural intelligence while creating a culture of kindness and respect.
Why Footprints?
Great ratios – High ratios within a small group size. We protect our under-two children by providing a small group size of a maximum of 7 children with 2 consistent teachers.
Transitioning – Children transitioning between the Soul Room and Heart Room will have a known teacher with them as they adjust to the new environment, rules and expectations.
Extended hours – We cater for working parents with longer opening hours (7.30am - 5.30pm).
Affordability – 30 free hours are available to all children over 3.
Adult education – There are opportunities for parents and teachers to extend their knowledge of how important the earliest years are with guest speakers and workshops available throughout the year.
Accredited Regulate me Early Learning Centre – Children can not regulate their emotions with a dysregulated adult. The Kaiako at Footprints have completed extensive training to support children's nervous systems through managing big emotions. What our centre looks like, feels like, and sounds like is a reflection of this. With an open door policy you are welcome to witness this experience for yourself.
Our Soul Room (0-2 years)
In the Soul Room children develop a strong sense of security. Kaiako are consistent and the group size is low. This enables your child to trust the space and the people within it. Here your baby/toddler will explore the world around them in a natural grassed area, and sandpit haven, complete with water cascade.
Our Soul Room sits within our Heart Room, so strong connections are maintained between the two spaces. This allows siblings and older children to see each other and chat through the fence.
Our Heart Room (2-6 years)
Here your child will spend much of their day outdoors, with the use of open-ended resources to explore, imagine and create in an all-natural environment. There is a large sandpit with a stream.
A barked area allows children to swing, climb and design their own playground daily with the use of loose parts and a mud kitchen to unleash their inner chef and cook up a storm.
Undercover we have family play and open-ended art areas. Inside is a home away from home complete with a dining area and lounge. There is our quiet space where children can create and construct with small loose parts.
"I have a daughter and a son at Footprints, and another one starting shortly. I have found it such a welcoming space for my kids. They absolutely love going to daycare every day and have made great connections with the Kaiako and Tamariki. They have both thrived in this environment and have become such confident, caring children."
Alanah, Mother of three
"I'm glad my grandson is with caregivers who go the extra mile to intentionally help the children develop their social abilities. Caregivers who truly see, who do so much, who love so much."
Grandma Lauren
"Wow, I am admiration of your centre. I have been on this journey for a while but am wanting my centre to reflect how your centre is… so calm and child friendly where the tamariki are allowed to be."