We consider a child's early years to be extremely important, and it is our role to provide you with professional and friendly support to assist with your child's development.

We have experienced qualified staff to ensure your child receives the best education and care possible in an optimum learning environment where we meet your child's individual needs. Please ensure you check your child's information pocket (situated outside their room) regularly. In lieu of a newsletter, we put all information about the rooms on our blogsite. This includes links to photos of your children and daily activities. These are particularly valued when one of the centres goes on a trip and we are able to include all the photos taken that day. We suggest you visit our blogsite on a regular basis to catch up with the news in your child's room.

Our programme incorporates the Early Childhood Curriculum of Te Whaariki, which includes the principles of holistic, development, empowerment, family and community relationships strands of Well Being, Belonging, Communication, Exploration and Contribution.  

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require any further information regarding the placement of your child.

Shona Hewitt
Centre Manager

Kia ora everyone and welcome to “Our place” at Pupuke Early Education Centre. My involvement in the Early Childhood Sector began around 1983 when my oldest daughter started attending Playcentre. My passion and love for working with young children has never left me. I have managed the Bayfield Early Education Centre in Herne Bay since 2000 and look forward to the challenge of taking on the management of the Pupuke Centre from its opening in April 2009 with excitement. I have 2 grown up daughters and have attained a Diploma in Early Childhood teaching along with a Graduate Diploma in Educational Management. I am also a fully registered teacher. I enjoy the challenge of leading teams of teachers and helping them, along with the children they teach, to attain their full potential. I strongly believe in quality, caring, respectful education for children as well as the people who care for them. This, I feel, is where my passion for the Virtues Project fits very comfortable with my own personal philosophy and beliefs and in the philosophy of the centre here at Pupuke. I look forward to developing strong, reciprocal relationships with the parents, children and whanau of the community in Takapuna.

Rhonda Pool
Receptionist/Administrator

Hi there, my name is Rhonda and I have been privileged to be part of the wonderful team to set up the Pupuke centre. We started here in April, 2009. My role includes many jobs including imputing and maintaining children’s details on the computer, invoicing, banking, doing bits and pieces for the teachers and all the other admin jobs required!
I am married to Mike and we have 2 children, Sarah and Matt. I spent 7 years at Lady Cobham Kindergarten in an administrator/teacher aide position and loved my time there! It is a pleasure to work in early education and see children grow and develop