Blog
Exciting stories about what we have been up to at The Vines
This is where we showcase the wonderful learning opportunities that we provide for our children and let you know about upcoming events and fun activities.
Our blog is also an excellent place to find out more about our approach to early childhood education and care. We share thoughts and articles about our curriculum and the types of activities we offer to help our little ones thrive, such as play-based learning, outdoor education, and our commitment to sustainability.
Whether you’re a new parent searching for the right early learning centre, or your little ones are already with us, we look forward to sharing our updates, stories, and insights into life at The Vines.
The importance of relationships in early childhood education
Warm, responsive and respectful relationships between tamariki (children) and kaiako (teachers) are at the heart of quality early childhood education. When tamariki feel safe, respected, and connected to the people around them, they have a wonderful foundation for...
Sensory Play – Bringing the very hungry Caterpillar to life
Bringing stories to life in the Pihi Room How a simple story can spark creativity, sensory exploration, and communication. Few books epitomise childhood quite like The Very Hungry Caterpillar. With its bright illustrations, simple rhythm, and much-loved story of a...
Exploring the 5 senses at The Vines ELC
“Squish, squelch, spin, splash, squeeze, scoop, shake, drop, smear, toss, spray, and ooze – young children find immense joy in discovering their world through their senses.” Alana Steyn By learning through the senses, children understand how to use their bodies,...
Supporting our littlest explorers at The Vines ELC
At The Vines Early Learning Centre, we love watching our youngest tamariki grow, explore and discover the world around them. Every day, we get to see how our littlest explorers thrive in a thoughtfully prepared environment designed especially for them. Children are...
Welcoming Summer at The Vines ELC
At The Vines ELC, we believe that Water play creates confident, capable learners, one splash at a time.Welcoming summer with water play outside at The Vines ELCSummer has arrived, and with it come warm days and plenty of opportunities for outdoor learning. At The...
Spring Gardening at The Vines ELC: Growing Confidence, Curiosity and Kaitiakitanga
With the warmer weather arriving, our team and tamariki at The Vines Early Learning Centre in Henderson have been giving our spring garden a much-needed refresh. The children have loved helping bring a burst of colour and life to our outdoor spaces. The garden becomes...
Mental Health Awareness Week at The Vines ELC: Growing Happy Minds and Kind Hearts
Why focus on mental health in early childhood? At The Vines Early Learning Centre, we shone a light on wellbeing and the importance of caring for both our minds and our hearts. Supporting mental health starts early and by helping tamariki understand emotions,...
Celebrating Māori Language Week at The Vines
Through September, tamariki and kaiako at The Vines Early Learning Centre joined in recognising Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori – Māori Language Week. This year’s theme was “Ake ake ake – A Forever Language”. This special week is about more than learning new words and...
Painting as a Pathway to Learning and Growth
At The Vines Early Learning Centre in West Auckland, we see every child as a creative thinker, a curious learner, and a capable explorer. One of the many ways we nurture tamariki is through painting: a powerful tool for creativity, confidence, and self-expression....
Little Builders, Big Learners
Construction play at the vines This July, our four-year-olds in the Karepe Room have been busy building, creating and learning together through our current topic: Little Builders, Big Learners. It’s been exciting to see what our tamariki come up with when they’re...
Looking to the future with hope: Matariki at The Vines
Looking to the future with hope As Matariki rises in the winter sky, we are reminded to reflect on the past and celebrate the present. But it is also a time to contemplate the promise that comes with each new year. It’s a chance to look ahead with hope and intention....
Learning through nature at The Vines ELC
At The Vines Early Learning Centre in West Auckland, we believe that some of the best learning happens outside. There’s no better way to help our young people connect with the world around them than with curious minds and wide eyes, and adventures are always best when...
Connecting Through Play
A strong sense of belonging is at the heart of a happy, confident learner. Children thrive when they feel connected, not just to their immediate environment, but also to their whānau, peers, and the wider world around them. One of the ways we foster these connections...
Multisensory learning in action
Exploring the world through multisensory experiences in our Karepe room At The Vines Early Learning Centre in Henderson, our Karepe room is buzzing with creativity and curiosity! Karepe is for our 4+-year-old adventurers. This is our transition-to-school programme...
Play is the foundation of life-long learning
Holistic learning at The Vines A holistic approach to learning and development sees the child as a person who wants to learn, the task as a meaningful whole and the whole as greater than the sum of its parts. Human development can be thought of in terms of cognitive...
Celebrate good times at The Vines ELC
The festive season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than with a Christmas party at The Vines ELC in Henderson? This year’s event on Friday the 13th of December was all about connecting with friends, celebrating our little ones, and, of course, having a...
Childcare in henderson – “a wonderful community of parents, teachers and adorable children”
Special Offer: HALF PRICE Fees for Two Months! We’re excited to offer new families HALF PRICE fees for your first two months enrollment. The Vines: Nurturing the community in West Auckland At The Vines Early Learning Centre, we're all about providing a safe,...
Christmas shopping at the vines
Helping grow our community At the Vines ELC in Henderson, we’re all about growing and nurturing young lives. But our care and support go beyond looking after the tamariki at our early learning centre. They extend to our greater community and the small businesses that...
Fire brigade visit Henderson ELC
Seeing a fire truck outside an early learning centre would usually cause alarm, but not this time. This fire engine had the kids at The Vines ELC in Henderson bursting with excitement. It was here at the Vines ELC just to visit them. Our firefighters visit the Vines...
Kids meet the cops
It was a big day for our little ones. The sound of a siren outside of the Vines announced that they were about to get some very special visitors. They say it takes a village, and they’d be right Thanks to some of our wonderful connections in this fabulous West...
Playball at our Henderson early learning centre
Playball is an internationally recognised sports and movement programme designed to introduce young children to sports in a fun and engaging way. Taught in a fun-filled, energetic, positive environment, for the last 25 years children from all over the world have loved...
Keeping kids well over winter
Winter health and wellness tips from the Vines Early Learning Centre Winter's definitely here. And while winter can be a wonderful time of year, filled with cosy moments snuggled up under a blankie with a good book, or going for long walks on a crisp, blue-skied...
The benefits of water play
Wet, wet ,wet We have had some lovely weather this summer and so and one of the most popular choices for outdoor activities during these lovely warm days has been water play. Whether it's splashing, running through a sprinkler, or simply playing with water in a basin...
The Vines – a growing place where learning and community intertwine
You may have wondered where our name comes from. Well, we took inspiration from the area's rich heritage and chose "The Vines” because Henderson is a place where history intertwines with a culturally rich community. It is steeped in grape vines, orchards, and market...
Fine dining at the Vines
Vines Early Learning Centre - Our Childcare Menu Week By Week At Vines Early Learning Centre in Henderson, our job is to nourish young minds and bodies. Your child's health and happiness are at the heart of everything we do, and we firmly believe in the power of good...
The JitterBubs movement and dance programme
Every Wednesday, The Vines is buzzing with more laughter and excitement than usual as we welcome in the JitterBubs team for special activities designed just for little ones.What is JitterBubs? The JitterBubs movement and dance programme is not your ordinary dance...
The Vines – A Revamped early learning centre in Henderson
We thought there would be no better way to start our regular blog posts than by taking you on a journey - our journey transforming The Vines Early Learning Centre into an even more nurturing and engaging space. Investing in Henderson's future When the opportunity...
If you are looking for high-quality early education to set your child up for life, then get in touch.
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HOURS
Monday - 7.30 am - 5.45 pm
Tuesday - 7.30 am - 5.45 pm
Wednesday - 7.30 am - 5.45 pm
Thursday - 7.30 am - 5.45 pm
Friday - 7.30 am - 5.45 pm
Closed Saturday, Sunday & public holidays