House of Wonder Cambridge by Busy Bees

Welcome to House of Wonder Cambridge by Busy Bees! Located at 94 Lake Street in Cambridge, New Zealand, our institution is a point of interest and a school that offers a unique learning experience for children.

Imagine a place where your little one can explore, create, and learn through play and collaboration. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, our dedicated Kaiako (teachers) act as facilitators, guiding children's learning and supporting their interests and ideas.

Our environment is designed to be sensory-rich, with natural materials and open-ended resources. We have three amazing rooms that cater to different age groups: Kaakano (0-2 Years), Koohura (2-3.5 Years), and Mahuri (3.5-6 Years). Here, children are encouraged to be curious and experimental, discovering new things every day. We understand that every child is unique and capable of learning in their own way, which is why our approach focuses on individualized learning experiences.

In our Reggio Emilia-inspired environment, our physical spaces are carefully designed to provoke curiosity, creativity, and engagement. Our Kaiako observe and document children's interests and ideas, using these observations to guide further learning experiences.

Open-ended materials play a crucial role in our environments, providing endless possibilities for exploration, creativity, and problem-solving. We incorporate natural objects to spark imaginative play and inspire questions about the environment. We also provide loose parts like recycled materials for sorting, counting, or imaginative play, as well as art supplies for children to express their ideas and emotions while developing fine motor skills.

At House of Wonder, we value our community and regularly organize excursions to places such as ST Andrews Resthome, Cambridge Library, and our very own House of Wonder Vegetable Garden. These experiences allow children to connect with the world around them and foster a sense of belonging.

Our in-house cook prepares freshly made meals for children each day, following our Nourish menus and recipes based on the New Zealand Heart Foundation Tohu Manawa Ora | Healthy Heart Award for Early Learning Centres. We believe that nourishing food fuels children to thrive physically and mentally, while also promoting social connections during mealtime.

Each age group at House of Wonder offers a unique learning experience tailored to their developmental stage. For children aged 0-2 years, we provide an environment enriched with loving, nurturing, and responsive care based on the RIE philosophy of Magda Gerber. As children transition to toddlers (2-3.5 years), they experience increased independence and curiosity, exploring the world through the lens of Rose Pere's Te Wheke model for project learning. Finally, for preschoolers (3.5-6 years), we focus on school readiness and desired learning outcomes, providing a wide range of learning opportunities involving nature, literacy, numeracy, science, emotional development, confidence-building, and social engagement.

We understand that the first five years of a child's life are incredibly significant and influential, shaping their future. At House of Wonder, we strive to create a nurturing and inspiring environment where children can thrive and grow into confident, curious learners. We value the partnership between our center and whānau (family), recognizing you as the child's first teacher and building responsive reciprocal relationships.

Don't hesitate to contact us to learn more about our center philosophy of nurturing curious explorers through relationships and wonder. We look forward to welcoming you and your child to House of Wonder Cambridge by Busy Bees!