ABOUT OUR CENTRE

Our Kids Early Learning centre was founded by Anita Kumar in 2008 and are known in the community for their commitment to quality ECE. Our Kids combines intimate community relationships, New Zealand’s Te Whāriki curriculum, the principles of Pikler and RIE philosophies, a growing commitment to authentic integration of Te Ao Māori, and children’s play urges, to form a progressive solution to learning.

The Glen Eden centre is a 100-year-old home which was converted into an ECE centre and has been part of the Our Kids whānau since 2012. The centre is a mixed age space, licensed for 10 under 2s and 22 over 2s. Our Kids is passionate about the benefits of a mixed age environment where tuakana and teina have opportunities to learn from and alongside one another. We have strong connections to our community and the whenua our centre sits upon. We learn in nature as much as possible. Our Kids Glen Eden has a strong focus on holistic wellbeing for each member of our learning community. Our centre is designed to be a home away from home for tamariki, whānau and kaiako, to instil a sense of belonging and support emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

This extends to our team of kaiako as we believe that a centre’s most important resource is a good team. We do our best to find ways to create and maintain a caring, progressive, educational culture in a fun, collaborative, and innovative team environment where we all have one common goal – to inspire lifelong learning.

Interior photo of under 2s room in purpose built daycare at our new centre in Glen Eden
Outdoor photo of Over 2s play area in purpose built daycare in Glen Eden.

WHO WILL BE INTERVIEWING YOU?

Anita and Kate have 30 years of experience between them in ECE. Kate has been the manager at Our Kids Glen Eden from 2022 and previously the head teacher.

Anita and Kate are highly committed to supporting the holistic well-being of our kaiako,  which we see as being an integral part of our learning community and helps us to create a positive team culture in an environment that motivates and inspires.

Anita Kumar, centre director of Our Kids Early Learning Centre

Anita Kumar

Managing Director

I established Our Kids Early Learning Centre in 2008 following 13 years in the education sector. I hold a Bachelor of Education, (Teaching) (ECE), from the University of Auckland, and I am an experienced teacher, head teacher, and early learning centre manager. My passion is for quality in early childhood education, stemming from my years of study, experience and ongoing professional development.

I am passionate about inspiring teachers to strive for excellence. I enjoy being in a mentoring role with teachers, supporting them when embracing challenges within the changing education landscape. I am a good listener who establishes relationships with teachers and others easily.

I’m responsible for developing policies and establishing strategic and management plans to guide the future direction of the centres.

I have considerable experience with mixed aged grouping and both the Our Kids Glendene and Glen Eden centres have mixed aged licenses.

Katerina Longo, ECE teacher at Our Kids Early Learning Glen Eden

Katerina Longo

Centre Manager Our Kids Glen Eden

Kia ora, my name is Kate and I am the manager at Our Kids Glen Eden. I have been working with the wonderful Our Kids team since 2019 but have 15 years experience in the early childhood sector. I hold a Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education.

I have a calm and caring approach towards tamariki, and building whānaungatanga/relationships with whānau and tamariki is extremely important to me. I have a deep respect for our people of the future and nurture children with aroha and patience so they feel secure enough to blossom and develop into strong capable learners.

After having my own child in 2017, my passion and commitment to the early years has deepened even further which makes me relate and understand the beautiful and sometimes challenging parts of parenting. I am dedicated to helping young tamariki grow emotional, social and developmental skills to promote their overall well-being.

I lead our Kaiako with a kind and understanding approach and believe the well-being of our teachers is extremely important so they feel supported to give our tamariki their full potential.

Here at Our Kids Glen Eden, our team is passionate and works well together to ensure that we have an understanding and respect of Te Ao Māori and te taiao the environment. This is something I continue to be inspired and learn more about.

Opportunities For Everyone

    Our Other Locations

    Girl intently stacking letter blocks at daycare in Glen Eden.

    MATAKI WAY

    Our Kids Mataki Way has been purpose built to support learning through play. With intentionally designed under and over two spaces, the tuakana (older children) and teina (younger children) can enjoy challenges at their unique stages of growth.

    Young boy climbing at our playground in Our Kids Glendene

    GLENDENE

    Our Glendene centre is a small homely mixed aged centre located in a residential area close to Glendene Primary School—a quiet and peaceful location for children to learn, grow, and develop naturally.

    Two young boys playing in water trough outside at Our Kids Onehunga daycare

    ONEHUNGA

    Our Onehunga centre has been purpose built to support learning through play. With intentionally designed under and over two spaces, the tuakana (older children) and teina (younger children) can enjoy challenges at their unique stages of growth.