Busy Bees McGarvey Road

Busy Bees McGarvey Road Early Childhood Care & Education Centre, with strong community relationships. Busy Bees McGarvey Road has been a part of the Whakatane community since 1996.

Our philosophy is to provide fun and adventure for children, while building up their confidence and self-belief. Our centres have large outdoor playscapes which allow children to learn through play and imagination.

Look how amazing our tamariki are! When the sun is shining, we love getting outside and moving our bodies. Jumping on th...
02/09/2026

Look how amazing our tamariki are! When the sun is shining, we love getting outside and moving our bodies. Jumping on the trampoline, swinging on the swing, and climbing up the slide are just a few of the many fun ways our tamariki explore the world around them.

Through active play, children build confidence, develop their gross motor skills, and challenge themselves in new and exciting ways. Whether they are balancing, climbing, swinging, or jumping, every movement helps support their physical development while creating opportunities for fun and discovery.

We love seeing our tamariki learn, grow, and thrive through play!

A few posts ago, I talked about some of the ways we encourage literacy, letter formation, and writing in our Ruru Room. ...
31/08/2026

A few posts ago, I talked about some of the ways we encourage literacy, letter formation, and writing in our Ruru Room. But did you know that our tamariki begin developing these skills much earlier, even when they are in the Kiwi Room?

The concept is very similar. We set up a simple provocation and, when our tamariki show interest, we support and encourage that curiosity. In the Kiwi Room, the provocation is often as simple as a few pieces of paper and some pens. Before long, the tamariki are drawn in and begin making their very first marks on paper.

Mark making is such an important step in early literacy development. Through these experiences, children begin to discover that their physical movements can create visual symbols that carry meaning. They are learning that their thoughts, ideas, and experiences can be expressed through marks on a page.

How amazing is that?

Another wonderful messy play exploration was set up in our classroom today, with a mathematical twist.By adding measurin...
17/08/2026

Another wonderful messy play exploration was set up in our classroom today, with a mathematical twist.

By adding measuring cups and scoops to the experience, tamariki were able to engage with early mathematical concepts through hands-on play, often without even realising they were learning. As they poured, scooped, measured, mixed, and compared quantities, they were developing an understanding of volume, measurement, and problem-solving in a meaningful and engaging way.

Throughout the experience, our kaiako intentionally introduced and modelled rich vocabulary such as empty, full, viscosity, hard, soft, mixing, and measuring. By weaving this language naturally into play, tamariki are building their understanding of both mathematical concepts and oral language.

This is the beauty of learning through play. What may look like a simple messy play experience is actually a valuable opportunity for tamariki to explore, experiment, and make sense of the world around them. Through curiosity, conversation, and hands-on discovery, they are developing important skills that will support their learning journey for years to come.

Sometimes the simplest provocations create the richest learning opportunities.This morning, a selection of blue pens, fe...
14/08/2026

Sometimes the simplest provocations create the richest learning opportunities.

This morning, a selection of blue pens, felt pens, paper, and an alphabet card sparked the interest of several of our tamariki. As they explored together, they enjoyed identifying the letters in their own names and recognising letters in their friends' names. The activity prompted lots of communication, discussion, turn-taking, and mark-making as the children shared their ideas and supported one another's learning.

This experience reflects the aspirations of Te Whāriki, particularly within Mana Reo | Communication, where children develop confidence with symbols, language, and literacy in meaningful and engaging ways. It also links to Mana Tangata | Contribution, as tamariki learn alongside and from each other through shared experiences.

At Busy Bees, our Bee Curious Curriculum encourages children to explore, investigate, question, and discover through play. Every day, our teachers thoughtfully prepare environments and experiences that respond to children's interests and extend their learning. While this is just a small snapshot of the day, it highlights how powerful learning can emerge from simple resources when children are given the time and space to be curious.

Learning through play happens every day, even in the smallest moments, and we love seeing where our tamariki's curiosity takes them next.

A Special Visit from St John in Schools! 🚑Last week, we were very lucky to welcome Ollie from St John in Schools to our ...
11/08/2026

A Special Visit from St John in Schools! 🚑

Last week, we were very lucky to welcome Ollie from St John in Schools to our centre.

Ollie talked with our tamariki about the importance of looking after ourselves, staying safe, and knowing when we need to call 111 in an emergency. The children were fascinated to learn about the important role ambulance officers play in our community.

Our tamariki also had the opportunity to try on St John hi-vis vests and an ambulance officer's helmet. There was plenty of excitement as they practiced bandaging each other and listened to one another's heartbeats!

These experiences support the learning outcomes of Te Whāriki, particularly: Mana Atua | Wellbeing - developing knowledge and skills to keep themselves and others safe. Mana Tangata | Contribution - learning about the different roles people play in supporting our communities. Mana Whenua | Belonging - building connections with the people and services that help keep our communities healthy and safe.

Ka rawe, tamariki mā! It is wonderful to see you learning about the many ways people contribute to and care for our community. A huge thank you to Ollie and St John in Schools for sharing such a fun and valuable learning experience with us. 💚

🌿 Our Environment as the Third Teacher 🌿Kia ora e te whānau,At Busy Bees McGarvey Road, we value the powerful role our e...
28/06/2026

🌿 Our Environment as the Third Teacher 🌿
Kia ora e te whānau,
At Busy Bees McGarvey Road, we value the powerful role our environment plays in your child’s learning journey. Often described as the “third teacher,” the environment sits alongside our kaiako and tamariki as an active part of the learning process.
Our thoughtfully designed spaces invite curiosity, creativity, and exploration—encouraging tamariki to ask questions, investigate ideas, and build their own understanding of the world around them. Whether it’s through natural materials, open-ended resources, or rich outdoor experiences, our environment helps to nurture confident and capable learners.
This strongly aligns with Te Whāriki, Aotearoa’s early childhood curriculum. Te Whāriki highlights the importance of creating environments where tamariki feel a strong sense of belonging (Mana Whenua), where they are empowered to explore (Mana Aotūroa) and communicate their ideas (Mana Reo). By providing intentional, responsive environments, we support children to become competent and confident learners, grounded in their identity and culture.
We continue to reflect on and adapt our spaces to meet the interests and needs of tamariki, ensuring that our environment truly supports their learning pathways.

Supporting Fine Motor Skills – It’s More Than Just Writing!Did you know that fine motor development is about so much mor...
23/06/2026

Supporting Fine Motor Skills – It’s More Than Just Writing!

Did you know that fine motor development is about so much more than holding a pencil? At Busy Bees McGarvey Road, we support children to strengthen the small muscles in their hands and fingers through meaningful, hands-on play every day.

From threading rubber bands onto nail boards, using pipettes to move dye from one container to another, sawdust exploration which involves scooping, pouring and shifting sawdust— all these experiences help build the coordination and strength children need for everyday independence and later writing success

These opportunities are deeply connected to Te Whāriki, where children are supported as competent and confident learners. Fine motor development links strongly to:
• Mana Atua (Wellbeing) – gaining control over their bodies
• Mana Tangata (Contribution) – participating in shared activities
• Mana Reo (Communication) – expressing ideas through different tools

Through our Bee Curious Curriculum, we encourage children to explore, experiment, and problem-solve. Fine motor experiences are woven into play in ways that spark curiosity — whether it’s scooping in the sawdust, experimenting with art materials, or carefully manipulating small objects

These everyday moments help tamariki develop persistence, concentration, and confidence — setting strong foundations for lifelong learning

At our centre, you'll often see tamariki exploring paint, water, sand, mud, playdough, gloop, coffee grounds and other s...
15/06/2026

At our centre, you'll often see tamariki exploring paint, water, sand, mud, playdough, gloop, coffee grounds and other sensory experiences. While it can look a little messy, these experiences are an important part of children learning and development.
Just a few of the reasons why messy play is so valuable:
*It helps to support brain development-Children's learn through their senses. Touching smelling, squeezing, pouring and mixing all help build important nueral pathways.
*Develops fine motor skills-Scooping, pinching, stirring strengthen muscles needed for writing, drawing and self help skills
*Encourages creativity and imagination-There is no "right" or "wrong" way to explore. Tamariki can experiment, create and express their own ideas.
Messy play allows tamariki to learn at their own pace while developing confidence and resilience and most of all it is fun!!
So chances are if your child comes home with sand in their shoes, paint on their clothes and a wet bag full with "dirty" clothes then they have had a wonderful day of learning!

Happy Mother’s Day! 💐 💮To all the whaea, mums, step-mums, grandmas, nanas and mother figures in our lives - today is for...
09/05/2026

Happy Mother’s Day! 💐 💮

To all the whaea, mums, step-mums, grandmas, nanas and mother figures in our lives - today is for you!

For the early starts, the big hugs, the long nights, and the endless love in so many different forms… we see it, and we appreciate it.

Sending love and aroha to you today.
We also hold space today, for those who may be missing someone, waiting for someone, or carrying their motherhood journey quietly. 💗 💜

A big thank you to our wonderful whanau💛 We truly appreciate your ongoing support, trust, and kind words. It means so mu...
10/04/2026

A big thank you to our wonderful whanau💛
We truly appreciate your ongoing support, trust, and kind words. It means so much to our team to be part of your child’s journey 🌿

Address

101 McGarvey Road
Whakatane
3120

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

+6473087777

Website

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