Early Childhood on Stafford

Welcome to Early Childhood on Stafford, Dunedin's premier establishment for early childhood education and care. Located at 89 Stafford Street, our institution has built a strong reputation for providing high-quality and professional services to the youngest citizens of Dunedin.

At Early Childhood on Stafford, we believe that a nurturing and safe environment is essential for your child's early education. Our premises offer a natural garden setting in the heart of Dunedin's city hill area, creating a warm and welcoming space for your little one to thrive. We encourage parents and whānau to actively participate in their child's development, as we believe that a collaborative approach leads to the best outcomes.

Our facilities boast a perfect balance of indoor and outdoor activities and equipment, providing ample opportunities for active play. With plenty of space to run around outside, your child will have a blast exploring and engaging in various educational experiences.

If you are considering early childhood education and care, we invite you to visit our centre at 89 Stafford Street. Meet our qualified and dedicated staff, who will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have and guide you through the enrollment process.

Early Childhood on Stafford proudly embraces the Ministry of Education's Te Whāriki early childhood education curriculum. This curriculum is based on the belief that children should grow up as confident and competent learners, both physically and mentally. We strive to create a secure environment where children feel a sense of belonging and understand their valuable contribution to society.

Stability and consistency are of utmost importance to us. To ensure this, we have set minimum booking times for each age group. For children over two years old, a minimum of 25 hours per week is required, which can be spread across four or five days. Each day should have a minimum booking of at least four hours. For children under two, a minimum of 20 hours per week is required, also spread across four or five days, with a minimum daily booking of four hours.

Our team of early childhood education professionals is led by our founders, Sue Ballantyne and Russell Ballantyne. All our staff members are fully qualified and possess the equivalent of a diploma in teaching ECE or are actively working towards this qualification under our guidance. We maintain optimal teacher-to-child ratios throughout the centre, with a ratio of 1:7 for over-twos and 1:2.5 for under-twos.

We understand the challenges faced by working parents and whānau, which is why we offer flexible operating hours. Our centre is open from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday, accommodating early starts and late finishes. This convenience makes drop-offs and pick-ups hassle-free for our busy families.

To address any queries you may have, we have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions on our website. Feel free to browse through them for more information.

Please note that our centre is licensed for a maximum of 55 children at any given time. Due to the high demand for reputable and centrally located early childcare centres in Dunedin, we recommend planning ahead for enrolments.

At Early Childhood on Stafford, we are dedicated to providing a nurturing and enriching environment for your child's early education. Join us on this exciting journey and give your child the best start in life.