What are the opening hours?

Monday 7:30am - 5:30pm Tuesday 7:30am - 5:30pm Wednesday 7:30am - 5:30pm Thursday 7:30am - 5:30pm Friday 7:30am - 5:30pm

Leap Ahead Early Childhood Centre - Methven

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Leap Ahead Early Childhood Centre - Methven

Leap Ahead- Methven is a brand new purpose built early childhood centre, providing your children wit We are open from 7.30-5.30 Monday to Friday.

We do not open Public Holidays. The centre will be closed for a short period over Christmas but these dates are yet to be confirmed. We believe that the first five years of a child’s life lays the foundation for future learning. In their preschool years a child develops at a faster rate than in any other time of their life. We understand that children are our next generation, and Leap Ahead Early

Childhood Centre exists to provide our children with a stimulating age appropriate environment to promote learning and development. The is the best investment we can make for children's future success.

20/08/2026

💛💛Leap Ahead is having a Daffodil Week💛💛

We would love if you could help our wee centre by making donations to the Cancer Society following the QR code provided! The Cancer Society New Zealand does an exceptional job supporting individuals and whānau during some of their most challenging times! We believe that almost everyone knows someone who has faced or is facing a battle with cancer and we would love to give back!!!
We are celebrating a week of all things YELLOW!!
Let's all get on board!
Arohanui
The Leap Team!

16/07/2026

Mānawatia a Matariki mā Puaka

⭐🌟⭐🌟⭐🌟⭐🌟⭐🌟

Kia ora e te whānau, A few weeks ago we held our annual Matariki evening where we took the opportunity to acknowledge the planning, learning and expanding of knowledge learnt around the special celebration of Matariki mā Puaka, we managed to create some artwork over the month and capture learnings around the different whetū | stars that make up the Matariki |Pleiades cluster and gave recognition to Puaka | Rigel as it is more visible in our sky due to it rising higher than the Matariki cluster. Puaka represents time of renewal, reflection and celebration.

Here are some photos (thanks Phillipa) from the whānau evening, where we got to come together and enjoyed a shared kai, we all stood for the national anthem and then we performed our two chosen pukapuka | books - We've got a boat and the Kauri family tree. After the performance we had a special presentation of our centre certificates that have been introduced and we will continue to make them part of our events in the future, we had 50% of the recipients in attendance (those that weren't there with us, received their certificates over the last week at drop off or with impromptu mat times).

We then opened up the under 2's side as our art gallery to share the creations we have all been making - rock creatures for the moana, boats to sail across the ocean, telescopes and binoculars for star gazing, cardboard kiwi, manu tukutuku, 3-D whetū and lunar sculptures. (They are now out the front entrance for collection 😊).

The core principles of Matariki are mauri mate - remembering those who have passed, mauri ora - celebrating the present with whānau and community and mauri noho - planning and hoping for the future.

From all of the staff, kaiako and management of Leap Ahead - Methven,

Mānawatia a Matariki mā Puaka | we encourage you all to welcome and celebrate the Māori New Year.

🌟⭐🌟⭐🌟Mānawa maiea te putaka o Matariki⭐🌟⭐🌟
🌟⭐🌟⭐🌟Mānawa maiea te ariki o te raki⭐🌟⭐🌟⭐
🌟⭐🌟⭐🌟Mānawa maiea te mātahi o te tau⭐🌟⭐🌟

🌟⭐🌟⭐🌟Hail the rise of Matariki⭐🌟⭐🌟⭐
🌟⭐🌟⭐🌟Hail the leader of the sky⭐🌟⭐🌟⭐
🌟⭐🌟⭐🌟Hail the New Year⭐🌟⭐🌟⭐

02/07/2026

Kia ora whānau!

Are you looking for something fun and exciting to do these holidays?? Why not join in Rosa Dekker-Bayleys Canterbury rock hunt!!!

At 10am daily, go and check out Rosa's Bayleys business page (tagged above) for clues on where the rocks are hidden! All information is below. While you are there, give her page a sneaky wee follow for all her updates!

We hope you all have a great school holidays, be safe and enjoy your family time and enjoy giving Rosa's rock hunt a go! Best of luck!

10/06/2026

Today marks an incredible milestone – 15 years of Leap Ahead Early Childhood Centre Methven!
It has been an absolute privilege to care for, educate, and support the children and families within our community over the past 15 years. We are incredibly grateful for the trust, support, and encouragement we have received throughout this journey.
This achievement would not have been possible without the amazing families, our wider community, and the dedicated Leap Ahead teachers, both past and present, who have all played an important role in making Leap Ahead what it is today.
A very special thank you goes to Kaylene Hindson for your unwavering hard work, dedication, and support. Your commitment to both myself and the Leap Ahead family has been invaluable. Not only have you helped make Leap Ahead the success it is today, but you have also helped keep my dream alive and thriving. For that, I am forever grateful.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey. Here’s to celebrating 15 wonderful years and many more to come!

15/05/2026

Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora — Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying!

Today we dressed in PINK in support of standing up against bullying and supporting people who experience bullying, harassment or discrimination. Let's make a stand! 🌸

23/02/2026

Kia ora whānau!

🌟 We’re on the hunt for our next superstar Registered ECE Teacher! 🌟

Are you ready for a fresh start, a new adventure, or a change of scenery? Or maybe you know someone who is? We would love to hear from you!
We’re looking for a passionate, registered ECE teacher who brings energy, creativity, and heart to their practice. Someone who values meaningful relationships, inspiring learning environments, and being part of a supportive, collaborative team.
If you’re (or they’re!) ready to join a centre where your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and your work truly makes a difference — we’d be thrilled to hear from you.

🐸🐸

16/02/2026

Here's abit of fun to start off your week!!! Guess which teacher is which?? Your team of Leap Ahead ladies!! 🐸

23/12/2025

As we come to the close of another year, the team here at Leap Ahead Methven would like to wish all of our whānau, past and present, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 🎄🎅🎁🎆🎉

We are so incredibly grateful to each and every one of you for entrusting us with your precious tamariki and allowing us to be part of their learning journey. It has been another truly wonderful year, filled with growth, connection, and the joy of sharing our love and care with both tamariki and whānau.❤️

From all of us, please stay safe, be merry, and cherish every moment of this special family time. ❤️

Arohanui
Your Leap Team!! 🐸

(Absent from photo- Chloe due to maternity leave ❤️)

27/10/2025

❄️☃️What an exciting day at preschool today!! We have arrived to a magical winter wonderland full of fun and curiosity! The tamariki across the centre have enjoyed being able to get all rugged up and going outside to explore in the snow! So much learning happens during snow play! Playing in the snow offers rich learning opportunities in early childhood education. Children develop their physical skills as they run, climb, and build, strengthening coordination and balance. They explore science concepts by observing how snow feels, melts, and changes, building early understanding of temperature, texture, and states of matter. Language and social skills grow as they describe what they see, share tools, and collaborate on snow creations, learning to communicate and negotiate with others. Snow play also supports creativity and problem-solving, as children experiment with ideas—like how to make a snowball stick together or build a sturdy snowman—while developing resilience and confidence through outdoor exploration in new and sometimes challenging conditions. How lucky are we to live in an alpine town where we can explore all the different weather elements 💙❄️☃️🏂

22/10/2025

🛑Centre Closure Notice – Thursday 23rd October🛑

Due to a state of emergency being declared for Canterbury and the high winds predicted for tomorrow, Leap Ahead Early Childhood Centre will be CLOSED on Thursday, 23rd October.

This decision has been made in conjunction with other local early childhood centres and the Playcentre, as we work together to prioritise the wellbeing of our communities.

The safety and wellbeing of our children, families, and staff are our highest priority and are at the forefront of this decision. We appreciate your understanding and support as we take this precaution to ensure everyone’s safety.

Stay safe, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back once conditions have improved.

Warm regards,
The Team at Leap Ahead

Address

6 Methven Chertsey Road
Methven
7730

Opening Hours

Monday	7:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday	7:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	7:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday	7:30am - 5:30pm
Friday	7:30am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+6433028991

Website

http://www.leapahead.co.nz/

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