Our Story
The Vision Behind Our Kids
In 2008, Anita Kumar founded Our Kids Early Learning Centre, driven by a passion for creating environments where children could truly thrive.
Anita Kumar
At that time, the centre had limited resources, and children faced behavioural challenges and struggled to engage with their surroundings. This sparked a journey of learning and transformation for both the centre and Anita. By listening deeply to each child, understanding their individual needs, and providing thoughtful, minimal environments, she realised their potential could be unlocked.
Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach and RIE philosophy, Anita embraced the concept of the environment as the third teacher, incorporating natural materials and real-life objects that nurture responsibility and curiosity.
Her personal connection to nature deeply influences how children’s engagement with the environment is supported at Our Kids. This interest in nurturing the earth is actively promoted at the centres, where opportunities are created for children to explore the natural world, fostering their connection to nature and understanding of sustainability from an early age.
As the organisation grew, so did the passion for creating homely, nurturing spaces that reflect both local history and the developmental needs of children. The new centre at Mataki Way exemplified this vision, earning recognition within the early childhood education community. Through mixed-age grouping, a balance was found between the benefits of varied age interactions and the need for individualised care.
The journey from humble beginnings to four thriving centres has been one of continuous learning. The principles of active listening, thoughtful environments, and focusing on each child’s unique interests remain at the heart of Our Kids.
Our Philosophy
At Our Kids Early Learning Centres, the philosophy revolves around actively listening to each child and fostering their holistic development in a nurturing environment. Children are seen as naturally curious and capable learners who thrive when they pursue their interests in meaningful ways.
The approach is guided by four core principles:
Kotahitanga – Holistic Development
Embracing a holistic view of development, Our Kids recognises that intellectual, emotional, social, physical, and spiritual growth are interconnected. The aim is to support every aspect of a child's well-being, ensuring they feel valued and respected.
Te Taiao – Connection with Nature
The natural environment (te taiao) is valued as an integral part of learning. By engaging with nature, children develop curiosity, wonder, and respect for the world around them. Educators act as kaitiaki (guardians), guiding children to become responsible caretakers of the environment.
Whanaungatanga – Relationships
Strong relationships between children, families (whānau), and teachers (kaiako) are the foundation of the community. A warm, inclusive atmosphere is cultivated where trust and mutual respect enable each child to flourish.
Whakarongo Pīkari – Active Listening
Active listening is practiced by observing and responding to children's needs and interests. By tuning into their explorations and inquiries, the educators support their learning journey, allowing natural curiosity and imagination to lead the way.
Our Journey
The journey of Our Kids Early Learning Centres is a tapestry of growth, learning, and community building. Here's how the organisation has evolved over the years:
The Beginning
Our Kids Early Learning Centre was established with the opening of the first centre in Glendene, a small mixed-age centre licensed for 22 children. Anita took on the role of head teacher, embedding the principles of active listening and environment-focused learning from the very start.
Expanding the First Home
To accommodate growing interest from the community, the Glendene centre was expanded to be licensed for 32 children, including 10 under-2s. This allowed the creation of more tailored spaces for different age groups, enhancing the learning environment.
Second Centre in Glen Eden
The second location was opened in Glen Eden, another mixed-age centre licensed for 32 children. The leadership team expanded with dedicated head teachers at each location, enabling the reach to more families and fostering a larger community.
Embracing Reggio Emilia Philosophy
In 2013, a head teacher with expertise in the Reggio Emilia philosophy joined the team, profoundly influencing the approach. Collaborating closely, they integrated natural materials and real-life objects into the settings, emphasising the importance of the environment as the third teacher.
Embracing the RIE Philosophy
The team engaged in professional development with renowned educators Penny Brownlee and Kimberley Crisp, leading to the embrace of the RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers) philosophy. This approach emphasises respectful and authentic interactions with infants and toddlers, viewing them as competent individuals who deserve to be treated with respect.
Integrating the RIE philosophy enriched the practice, enhancing the ability to support secure, confident, and independent children.
To learn more about how the RIE philosophy is incorporated into the curriculum, please visit the Curriculum page.
Building the Mataki Way Centre
Construction began on the purpose-built centre at Mataki Way. Designed to reflect the vision and philosophy, the centre incorporated sustainable design elements and learning environments inspired by the Reggio Emilia and RIE approaches.
Recognition of Excellence
The Glendene centre received a "Very Well Placed" review from the Education Review Office (ERO), acknowledging the high-quality education and care provided.
Mataki Way Centre Opens
The Mataki Way centre in Glen Eden was proudly opened, licensed for 60 children with a separate under-2s space for 18. This centre became a manifestation of the evolved philosophy.
Expanding to Onehunga
Dynamic Kids was welcomed into the family, rebranding it as Our Kids Onehunga—the first centre outside of West Auckland, licensed for 70 children with an under-2s room for 18.
Recognition in Education Gazette
An article titled "Talking Together: Te Kōrerorero" was published in the Education Gazette, featuring the Glen Eden centre manager and showcasing the commitment to fostering children's language development through meaningful conversations.
Published in Childspace Magazine
A blog post titled "Why Is My Child Biting?" written by Rochelle Cole, a teacher at Our Kids, was published in Childspace Magazine, Issue 66. The article provides insights into understanding and responding to children's biting behavior, emphasising empathy and effective communication.
Celebrating Matariki and Te Ao Māori
The dedication to integrating Matariki and te ao Māori into the curriculum was highlighted in the Education Gazette article "An Early Learning Journey Through Matariki Whetū".
Welcoming Our Kids Papatoetoe
Our family expanded with the addition of Our Kids Papatoetoe, a 50-child licensed centre that was formerly Puekeko Preschool Papatoetoe. The centre's proximity to our Onehunga location allows us to foster stronger connections between our services while serving more families across Auckland.
Looking Ahead
With four centres and a dedicated team, Our Kids continues to provide nurturing environments where children can explore, discover, and develop a lifelong love of learning.
Meet Our Leadership Team
Bhagirath Prutvi
Graduated from AUT in 2012 with a Bachelor's degree in Digital Design, specialising in 3D animation and motion graphics, followed by a Diploma in Contemporary Music Performance from MAINZ, and a Bachelor of Music (Hons) in Jazz Performance on piano from the University of Auckland.
Throughout that time, Bhagirath assisted his mother, Anita, with running Our Kids Early Learning Centres. From web development, managing IT systems, photography and videos for marketing, to occasional music performances at the centres, he has been involved in various aspects of the business. More recently, he has taken on an administrative role and management accounting, formalising into the role of Business Manager.
His role is to grow the business with increased enrolments and to work alongside the teaching teams and management to support strategic plans guiding the future direction of the centres.
Brooke MacClure
Brooke has been working in early childhood since 2007 and holds a Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Early Intervention. Her experience spans daycare, home-based care, and kindergarten.
She teaches from the heart and gives 100% in all that she does. Believing that when tamariki (children), fellow kaiako (teachers), and whānau (families) are treated with kindness and compassion, meaningful relationships develop.
Our Centre Managers
Chynelle Pinto
Our Kids Mataki Way
Originally from India, I’ve called New Zealand home since 2014. My journey in early childhood education began in 2012, after completing a Bachelor of Arts from Mumbai University and later a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education from NZTC.
I’m proud to be part of the Our Kids whānau, which I first joined in 2020. After spending three wonderful years in Dubai (2022–2025), I’ve now returned to Aotearoa and stepped into the role of Centre Manager.
As an educator, I have a strong passion for play-based learning, fostering respect, and creating an environment where tamariki can unfold and grow at their own pace. Outside of work, life is joyfully busy with my 5-year-old little boy, who keeps me learning and inspired every day.
Ngakeita Willing
Our Kids Glen Eden
I’m Ngakeita Willing, the Centre Manager at Our Kids Gleneden. It brings me great joy to introduce myself as a passionate kaiako (teacher) dedicated to nurturing our tamariki (children). I was raised in Auckland, though my whanau hails from a small town in the Waikato called Te Kuiti. As a mother of a teenage boy, I realized that teaching young children was my calling when he was born.
With over 10 years of experience in various educational roles, I joined Our Kids in 2022, eager to share my knowledge and enthusiasm with our wonderful community. I hold a Bachelor of Education from Mt Albert Unitec and a certificate in Rongoā Māori (Traditional Māori healing), which allows me to incorporate cultural richness into our learning environment.
Arti Shetty
Our Kids Onehunga
Arti is originally from India and calls New Zealand her second home. Raised in a multicultural and multilingual family, understanding and respect for different cultures come naturally to her. She is a mum to two gorgeous boys, aged 10 and 3.
With over 14 years of experience in early childhood education, her passion for teaching has grown stronger and deeper. Inspired by her mother, a passionate and dedicated teacher, Arti is a strong advocate for children's rights and feels it's her duty as a kaiako to protect and nurture them.
Kim Trillo
Our Kids Glendene
Kim is the Centre Manager at Our Kids Glendene. Living locally in Te Atatū, she has two children—still her babies even though they're both teenagers! Outside of work, she enjoys spending time at the beach, working out, reading, playing games, and being involved in baseball with her family.
With 24 years of experience in early childhood education in various centres and roles, from teaching to management, Kim loves the fresh outlook that working with children brings.
Shelly Nand
Our Kids Papatoetoe
