GLEN EDEN
GLENDALE ROAD (09) 818 9913 | MATAKI WAY (09) 218 6407
GLENDENE
BEAZLEY PLACE (09) 836 6495
ONEHUNGA
CHURCH STREET (09) 636 1395
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, and children’s play urges, to form a progressive solution to learning.
The Onehunga centre is a purpose built ECE centre, newly managed by Our Kids in 2020. The centre has two rooms, licensed for 18 under 2s and 52 over 2s. Each indoor and outdoor space has been designed and tailored to support learning through play for each age grouping. Our under 2s team, The Nest, use a primary care approach to ensure pēpi (babies) form trusting, reciprocal relationships while in our care. We are inspired by RIE and Pikler philosophies which centre respectful care-based interactions, and freedom of movement to promote the learning and growth of pēpi at their own unique pace. In The Hive our tuakana are supported to explore their play urges through an inviting and challenging play environment. We have a diverse range of cultures present in our community, and kaiako in the Hive embrace and celebrate these cultures, adding to our kete mātauranga (baskets of knowledge) which each celebration.
We believe that a centre’s most important resource is a good team, therefore we do our best to find ways in creating and maintaining a progressive educational culture in a fun, collaborative, and innovative team environment where we all have one common goal – to inspire lifelong learning.
WHO WILL BE INTERVIEWING YOU?
Anita and Rochelle have 30 years of experience between them in ECE. Rochelle has been Centre Manager of Our Kids Onehunga since 2022, prior to that has worked in our Glen Eden centre and Glendene Centre and has been part of Our Kids for the last 10 years.
Anita and Rochelle 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
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.
Rochelle Cole
Centre Manager, Our Kids Onehunga
Kia ora e te whānau,
My name is Rochelle Cole and I am the centre Manager over at Our Kids Early Learning Centre Onehunga.
I have a Bachelor of Education in Primary/Intermediate teaching and I have been working for Our Kids Early Learning since 2012 which has provided me with multiple opportunities for growth and development over this time. My approach to teaching and learning as a whole is centred around ako/ recipricol learning, and whakamana/ empowered child led learning, with an emphasis on dispositions and attitudes towards lifelong learning. We strive for our tamariki to experience a challenging and thoughtful environment that encourages respect for themselves, respect for others, while also fostering a deep and instrinsic connection with Te Taiao.
High quality education means ensuring a holistic and culturally inclusive response to teaching and learning where tamariki, kaiako, and whānau feel capable and valued to confidently express their ideas, thoughts, and feelings. I embrace a shared leadership model, nurturing and building beautiful collaborative whanaungatanga between Kaiako, and whānau, where everyone feels connected through a strong, authentic sense of belonging.
Opportunities For Everyone
Our Other Locations
GLEN EDEN
Our Glen Eden centre is a mixed age setting in a 100-year-old converted home, in the heart of the Glen Eden community. With a nature reserve right next door we deliver a local curriculum closely connected to te taiao (nature).
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.
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.