THE LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS
Stay up to date with the latest news and events happening at Headstart Early Learning Centre in Auckland
HeadStart Early Learning NZ
432
High quality education for children 2 to 5 yrs old. We are an exclusive, long established centre offering a multi-age learning environment to build confidence in our children and enhance their language, social & emotional skills & intellectual potential.
Plasticine play 🪐✨
We’ve been having lots of fun with plasticine lately! It’s a great way for children to build strength in their hands by rolling, squeezing, and shaping—helping get those little fingers ready for writing.
With space being a big interest right now, the children were challenged to create their own solar system 🌞
They made planets, talked about their shapes and sizes, and shared ideas about where they belong. It led to some awesome conversations and learning through play.
We also had a sweet moment when a teacher made a cat, which inspired a child to create their own 🐱
It was lovely to see their imagination come to life as they thought about what a cat looks like and how to build it.
So much learning, creativity, and fun all rolled into one activity 💛
Links to Te Whāriki
Communication | Mana Reo
• Children explore and use different symbols and tools to express ideas (he kōrero tuhituhi)
• Developing skills with a range of materials—such as art media, construction, and movement—to share their thinking, feelings, and understanding
Walking in the rain ☔️
This year so far has brought plenty of rainy days, but that doesn’t stop our tamariki from getting outside for some fresh air and fun!
With an umbrella in hand, the children take turns walking around the playground. What starts as a simple walk soon became a rich learning experience—children begin to enjoy the feeling of the rain, the sounds around them, and the sense of independence.
Before long, they wanted to share the experience with friends 💛
Walking together means learning to compromise—who would hold the umbrella, how fast to walk, and how to angle it to keep each other dry. These small moments turned into big opportunities for cooperation, communication, and problem-solving.
The smiles and giggles say it all—our tamariki truly embrace the joy and freedom of playing in the rain 🌧️
Links to Te Whāriki
Exploration | Mana Aotūroa
Children see themselves as capable explorers—thinking, problem-solving, and making sense of their world.
Holistic Development | Kotahitanga
Children learn and grow in a holistic way, where experiences are meaningful, connected, and greater than the sum of their parts.
Sensory play in action 💧🌿
We’ve been making the most of the warmer days by creating lots of opportunities for tamariki to cool down and explore through sensory play. Our “water stepping stones” have been a big hit, along with our river and water pump—giving children the freedom to collect and transport their own water as they play.
A special moment was hearing the beautiful kihikihi (cicada) in our tree 🌳
It was very well camouflaged and tricky to spot! We used a camera to help the children find it, turning it into a fun little investigation and sparking lots of curiosity about the natural world.
We’ve also been creating inviting play spaces by adding tents, chairs, and even a colourful tunnel. These have been used for everything from cosy quiet spaces to obstacle courses—encouraging movement, imagination, and lots of laughter as tamariki crawl, climb, and explore.
All of these experiences add rich sensory play to their day while supporting their growing confidence and curiosity ✨
Links to Te Whāriki
Exploration | Mana Aotūroa
• Children gain confidence in and control of their bodies through movement and physical challenges (te wero ā-tinana)
• Children develop strategies for exploration, thinking, and problem-solving (te hīraurau hopanga)
Our teachers love creating opportunities for tamariki to explore art in ways that spark their imagination and creativity 🎨
We offer a wide variety of art experiences, both child-led and teacher-guided, using all areas of our environment. Whether it’s chalk drawing, dye painting on rocks, or easel painting outdoors, children can choose how and where they feel most inspired to create—especially for those who thrive in our outdoor spaces.
Right now, space is a big interest in our centre 🚀
We’ve been exploring the wonders of the solar system—learning about the seven planets through music, stories, and discussion. Tamariki are engaging with non-fiction books, discovering fascinating facts, and sharing their ideas about what’s out there beyond our world.
One of our favourite projects has been designing rockets! Children begin by drawing their ideas (2D) and then bringing them to life using Duplo (3D). This not only supports creativity but also builds early thinking around design, problem-solving, and spatial awareness.
These experiences link closely to Te Whāriki:
Communication | Mana Reo
Children experience and create stories, recognise symbols, and use language with confidence and joy.
Exploration | Mana Aotūroa
Children develop strategies for thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving as they explore and make sense of the world around them.
It’s amazing to see where children’s interests can take us 🌌
The water pump and river is always a big hit with the kids! The tamariki are always excited to explore how the pump works, taking turns pumping water and watching it flow. This hands-on experience encourages teamwork, curiosity, and problem-solving, while also strengthening their coordination. When the weather is hot, playing in the river is always a relief and so much fun!
Sandpit play offers rich learning experiences for children at HeadStart. Through sensory play, children explore the texture of sand by digging, pouring, building, and engaging in messy play. Activities such as creating sand structures, pretending the sandpit is a campsite, or enjoying a “sand bath” similar to a beach experience support imagination and creativity. Sand play also encourages social interaction as children share tools, cooperate, and lead their own imaginative games. Conversations naturally develop as children express ideas, describe experiences, and relate play to family outings. These interactions support language development, problem-solving, and teamwork. Sandpit play promotes fine and gross motor skills, sensory awareness, and emotional regulation while providing a relaxed environment for children to explore, collaborate, and learn through hands-on experiences.
Headstart Early Learning is proud to be locally owned and operated, HeadStart is an important part of the Hobsonville community, helping grow the hearts and minds of children for over 25 years.
Centre info and opening hours
- 7:30am - 6:00pm
- 09 416 4300
- 193 Hobsonville Road, Hobsonvlle, Auckland, 0618
Contact us
- Copyright HeadStart Early Learning 2026