Small Sprouts Early Learning

Flour, flowers and a whole lot of rolling 🌸

This week our tamariki explored dough alongside flowers, leaves and fresh greenery. They rolled, pressed, snipped and sprinkled, and every creation looked a little different.

Experiences like this invite tamariki to slow down and use all their senses, while supporting strong little hands, early maths and science thinking, and the confidence to try things their own way.

Ngā mihi nui to our kaiako for creating such a beautiful space to explore te taiao, the natural world 🌿

We believe in soft. In kind. In real.

At Small Sprouts, every moment matters - whether it's sand between tiny fingers, paint on paper with no perfect outcome expected, flowers that remind us beauty grows wild and unplanned, or wooden toys that feel warm in little hands. We're building a space where being gentle with yourself and others isn't just encouraged, it's everything.

Our tamariki explore, play, create, and discover at their own pace. They get muddy. They mess up. They learn that's okay. We prioritise sensory experience over Instagram moments, connection over performance, and kindness as the foundation of everything we do.

This is childhood in the soft era - unrushed, authentic, grounded in nature, and deeply respected. Check out the dahlias we're growing, our science experiences and our beautiful art!

Small Sprouts Early Learning Centre
Stanmore Bay, Whangaparāoa
📞 021 250 5000
🌐 www.smallsprouts.co.nz

Our outdoor space has never looked more beautiful than this ☀️

A few of our two-year-olds are just about to graduate up into Koru, and this was one of their first big mornings out exploring everything our space has to offer. Watching them climb, dig and discover together was such a treat, what a gorgeous day for it.

Keen to see more of what Small Sprouts offers, outdoor space included? We currently have a limited time offer of 9am–3pm sessions for tamariki aged 2.5 and older. Our centre runs 7am–5.30pm with warm, experienced teachers on hand every day.

Find out more at www.smallsprouts.co.nz

At Small Sprouts Early Learning in Stanmore Bay, we intentionally support the early foundations of structured literacy and phonological awareness through meaningful, play-based learning.

For our tamariki, this includes building skills such as:

• Hearing and identifying sounds in words
• Rhyming and syllables
• Recognising beginning sounds
• Growing vocabulary and oral language
• Enjoying stories, books and conversations
• Developing early letter and sound awareness

These early skills help prepare children for reading and writing when they transition to school, while still keeping learning fun, natural and appropriate for their age.

Our kaiako weave these experiences throughout the day through stories, songs, games, group times, conversations and hands-on activities.

We believe strong literacy foundations can begin early, without rushing childhood.

Book a visit today here in the heart of the Hibiscus Coast!

www.smallsprouts.co.nz

No posed photos here. This morning a few tamariki wanted juice, so they squeezed their own oranges, mess and all. Nobody said "look at the camera." This is just an ordinary day at Small Sprouts, real tamariki, real moments, no filter. Small sprouts grow best when you let them get stuck in.

Kia ora whānau!

Wait... Small Sprouts is growing? Yes! Our Pikopiko (under 2s) room has just expanded, and we've got 2 brand new spaces available.

If you've got a pēpi around 18 months or older, this could be perfect timing.

🌱 $150/week, 9am–3pm, 5 days a week
🌱 Warm, caring, hands-on early learning with meals included
🌱 For tamariki turning 2 on or before 1 March 2027, and starting with us before October 2026

There are only 2 spots, so if this sounds like your whānau, don't wait.

Send us a message to book a tour and come and see Small Sprouts for yourself.

T&Cs apply.

📍 Small Sprouts Early Learning Centre, Stanmore Bay, Whangaparāoa