Fern Garden Preschool and Childcare Centre

Fern Garden Preschool and Childcare Centre Fern Garden is a multi-award winning centre located in the heart of Otumoetai, Tauranga. Come see wh

What a beautiful Spring morning it was. 🌿 Not a breath of wind, just the soft, busy buzz of our resident pī at work. 🐝 L...
24/09/2026

What a beautiful Spring morning it was. 🌿 Not a breath of wind, just the soft, busy buzz of our resident pī at work. 🐝 Lavender scented the air, while our curious explorers checked on our growing fruit trees. 🍋🌱

These everyday moments offer such rich opportunities for learning through Papatūānuku — noticing the changing seasons, caring for living things, observing the relationships between plants, insects and people, and developing a growing sense of kaitiakitanga.

Through hands-on exploration, our tamariki are learning that they are connected to the natural world and have an important role in caring for and nurturing the taiao around them. 🌏💚

He taonga te taiao — the natural world is a treasure.

23/09/2026

Here is some lovely feedback from one of our whānau about the things they value most at Fern Garden Preschool! 🌿

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and experience with us. We really appreciate your kind words! 😊💚

On this rainy day, we brought the forest indoors. Our tamariki walked barefoot through sensory materials while experienc...
23/09/2026

On this rainy day, we brought the forest indoors. Our tamariki walked barefoot through sensory materials while experiencing a virtual journey—water beneath their feet, leaves, flowers, and rocks to feel and explore, to climb upon. A sprinkle of lemon zest water deepened the smell, grounding them fully in the moment.

In the corner, the sounds of our native birds drew them closer. The presence of the Tūī bird called them to gather and gently reach up to touch the hanging form, connecting not just through sight and sound, but through touch and manaakitanga.

Every breath, every touch, every moment of wonder with our tamariki is part of te ao Māori. A living, breathing connection between us and Papatūānuku.

Earlier this week we worked together to create a maunga in the sandpit! ⛰️🌿Tamariki shared ideas, experimented with diff...
18/09/2026

Earlier this week we worked together to create a maunga in the sandpit! ⛰️🌿

Tamariki shared ideas, experimented with different ways to build and worked together to shape and strengthen our maunga. Through this hands-on play, they were developing problem-solving skills, spatial awareness, coordination and collaboration, while connecting with te ao Māori and the natural world around them.

The weather is warming up, and we are loving the opportunity to get the water play happening! 💦☀️Water play is such a fu...
18/09/2026

The weather is warming up, and we are loving the opportunity to get the water play happening! 💦☀️

Water play is such a fun way for tamariki to explore, experiment and learn through play. They are developing their coordination, problem-solving skills and understanding of concepts like pouring, filling, emptying, floating and sinking — all while enjoying some refreshing outdoor fun! 🌿💧

Celebrating te Reo Māori! Our preschool tamariki have been getting into the rhythm with rākau! As we listened to waiata,...
18/09/2026

Celebrating te Reo Māori!

Our preschool tamariki have been getting into the rhythm with rākau!
As we listened to waiata, we felt the beat and moved our rākau together, tapping, clapping and creating different patterns and rhythms. There was lots of concentration, coordination and, of course, plenty of fun!
A wonderful way to experience te reo Māori, waiata and movement while learning together and celebrating our Māori culture.

🌿 Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori in the Fernlings 🌿This week our pēpi enjoyed spending time outside listening to waiata and expl...
17/09/2026

🌿 Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori in the Fernlings 🌿

This week our pēpi enjoyed spending time outside listening to waiata and exploring our basket of poi 🎶

Rather than standing still and simply using the poi, our pēpi incorporated them into their play, moving freely around the outdoor space as they explored, danced, listened and responded to the music. 💚

For our youngest tamariki, Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori is about creating meaningful, everyday opportunities to hear, experience and engage with te reo Māori. Through waiata, movement, rhythm and play, our pēpi are building familiarity with the sounds and language of te ao Māori in a way that is natural, joyful and connected to their own interests.

We love seeing our Fernlings take what is offered and make it their own — following their curiosity, expressing themselves through movement and learning alongside one another.

Ko tōku reo, ko tōku ohooho, ko tōku reo, ko tōku māramatanga.
My language is my awakening, my language is my understanding.🌱

He wā ako, he wā ngahau — a time for learning and a time for fun! 💚

Yesterday we enjoyed some quiet watercolour painting in our outside ārea. 🎨🌿It was an opportunity to slow down, be prese...
16/09/2026

Yesterday we enjoyed some quiet watercolour painting in our outside ārea. 🎨🌿

It was an opportunity to slow down, be present and make marks with meaning. As tamariki explored colour, movement and different brush techniques, they were developing their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and confidence in expressing their ideas through art.

A simple, calm experience with lots of learning happening along the way. 💚

Address

408 Otumoetai Road
Tauranga
3110

Opening Hours

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

Telephone

+6475761976

Website

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