Connecting vulnerable animals

with their forever families,

Welcome to Willows Early Learning Cromwell

Kohikohia ngā kākano, whakaritea te pārakereke, kia puāwai ngā hua 
‍Gather the seeds, prepare the seedbed carefully, and you will be gifted with abundance of food

adopt, don't shop

Willows is a purpose built early learning centre located in Cromwell, for children aged three months to six years. Our goal is to help tamariki become increasingly competent and confident learners and communicators.

Our innovative indoor environment consists of three large learning spaces, separated by half walls. This results in a cohesive and inclusive setting, where the tamariki and kaiako can form strong relationships and thrive.

Surrounded by large green lawns, shrubs, and shade trees, tamariki love exploring and experiencing our outdoor area. The climbing frames,  mud pits, and mounds mean tamariki are always busy at work, learning through their play. 

Our Values

Relationships

Respect

Play

Ako

Environment

Curriculum

Our curriculum is underpinned by Te Whāriki, the national early childhood curriculum, and is designed to help tamariki become curious and competent learners. The delivery of our curriculum is varied and includes explicit moments of teaching, child-directed play, and kaiako led learning experiences. This responsive and balanced approach results in a dynamic curriculum, where we cater to all learners.

Sense of Purpose

Our inquisitive tamariki are on unique journeys and eager to learn. We provide a holistic programme which caters for the mind, spirit and soul of the tamariki, using strategies that motivate a yearning and passion to learn. We endeavour to create a setting that fosters learning through a sense of belonging and purpose, where tamariki can express their own ideas and explore freely the world around them. Our mahi is to recognise and enhance the mana of our tamariki and support them to enhance the mana of others. 

Community of Learners

Our goal is to create a sense of whanaungatanga; a community of curious learners who are able to support each other, learn from each other, and grow into their potential 

Learning Through Play

We believe play is the cornerstone of creative learning; when playing, children are free to let their creative juices flow. Play also promotes cognitive, social, emotional and physical development, which is why it is such a prominent part of our curriculum. 

Core Knowledge Domains

As well as providing a programme that equips tamariki with the fundamental literacy and numeracy skills, our curriculum is also rich in Science, Physical Movement, Health, and Technology. The language of all these domains needs to be heard and explained so that our tamariki have the language to pin their learning on as they continue their journey to school.  

Care and Nurture

Respect is an essential value at Willows - respect between tamariki, kaiako and whānau. We encourage tamariki to engage in respectful and reciprocal relationships, as well as respecting our routines, rituals and resources. 

Taking Responsibility

Our mission is to inspire a generation of confident thinkers, who take responsibility for their own learning and support their peers. This value, manaakitanga, encourages tamariki to recognise and enhance the mana of others. 

Our Team Leaders

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About Us
At Willows, we believe our centre is more than just a place of learning  it’s a whānau. For the past three years, we have been privileged to own and lead Willows, and our vision has always been to create a space where tamariki and their families feel a true sense of belonging.
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‍James has spent over a decade teaching and leading in secondary schools across Aotearoa, working as an English teacher, Dean, and Head of Department. He has recently completed his Postgraduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education, marking the beginning of a new journey into ECE. James brings with him a wealth of knowledge in education, leadership, and mentoring, and he is passionate about creating an environment where tamariki can grow with confidence, joy, and aroha.

‍Paige is the friendly face you’ll see at the heart of Willows. With a background in youth support, law, and administration, she brings organisation, warmth, and care to every part of the centre. Paige has a natural ability to connect with people, making whānau feel welcome and tamariki feel safe and valued. She works closely with kaiako in the classrooms, supports families at the front desk, and ensures the centre runs smoothly day-to-day. Her passion lies in building strong, trusting relationships with children and their whānau, and creating an environment where everyone feels at home.

Together, our focus is on whanaungatanga (building relationships), manaakitanga (care and hospitality), and whakaute (respect). These values guide everything we do, from the way we support our kaiako, to the way we nurture children, to the way we partner with parents and our wider community.We are so grateful to be on this journey with you and your tamariki, and we look forward to continuing to grow Willows as a place where everyone feels at home.

Our Team Leaders

For the past 12 years, James has been shaping the lives of the youth at various secondary schools around the country. Working as an English teacher, Dean and Head of Department, he has experience in not only teaching, but also management, mentoring and leadership.  Having just completed his Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education, James is excited and ready to embrace this new stage in his educational journey. 
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The last three years, Paige has worked as a medical receptionist at Kāpiti Youth Support, a one stop shop, providing health and support services to the youth on the Kāpiti Coast. Paige finds helping the youth very rewarding and is looking forward to working with even younger tamariki. Before working at KYS, Paige was a legal secretary at Westgate and Williams Lawyers in Dunedin. You will see Paige’s smiling face behind the front desk and in the classroom in the morning, where she can put her considerable administrative skills to good use. Paige is enjoying this new challenge and  has also decided to pursue her Degree in Early Childhood Education. 

With over 16 years of experience, Sally is an expert in the field. Her passion for education has lead to a variety of roles in the early learning sector, including Lead Teacher, Visiting Teacher, Mentor, Manager and Owner. As the previous owner of Willows, Sally is not only the Centre Manager, but also a mentor to Paige and James, supporting and guiding them through this new and exciting stage of their life. 

Whānau Testimonials

“We feel so appreciative of the support, energy, and care shown toward our daughter’s needs since attending Willows for the past two and a half years. She loves Willows and all the teachers. They make us, as a family, feel so welcome.”

Jena & Matt

We truly love Willows. The kaiako are warm, attentive, and genuinely invested in the wellbeing of our children. We absolutely love the village we have created here, where our tamariki are not only thriving socially but are also nurtured and supported to grow into confident, happy young ladies. The sense of belonging that Willows provides is so special, and it is clear that every child is valued for who they are.We can’t say enough wonderful things about Willows, and we feel very grateful every day that this is where our babies began their childcare journey. Choosing Willows was one of the best decisions we could have made for our whānau, and we are continually reassured that our girls are surrounded by aroha, learning, and a community that truly cares.

Tessa & Paul

“Our daughter started in the Seedlings room at age 1, and from the very start of our daycare journey all the staff at Willows have been extremely supportive and caring. Willows has a great sense of community, and our daughter loves it so much she never wants to leave and even asks to go on weekends - a true testament to the fun and loving environment Willows offer.”

Emma & Sam