Our five year old, Holly, recently graduated from Wise Owl early learning centre and into primary school. I’d like to share our wonderful experience and praise the Kaiako at the centre with this transition to school. I believe our wee girl’s smooth transition into primary school was a direct result of the months of preparation and strategies put into place at Wise Owl. These included our daughter becoming a “lunch box kid” at the centre. This was brilliant and assisted her to choose healthy options to go into her lunch box, for her to apportion her food throughout the day and it also taught her responsibility by making sure she packed away her lunchbox and drink bottle after each interval. This is a massive part of school life and Holly has had no problem adhering what she learnt as a “lunchbox” kid at Wise Owl. Other ways I believe Holly was assisted in her transition was in the way the children are taught respect at Wise Owl especially in regards to other children and property around the centre. This includes helping to clean up at the end of a session or day, something Holly has continued to do at school and often receives praise for. Holly has an immense love of learning which began during her time at Wise Owl. Their fun and engaging approach to learning has helped Holly to find joy and interest in new subjects at school. I believe Holly’s resilience was greatly strengthened at Wise Owl who have implemented wonderful coping strategies for the young Tamariki. This was fostered through strong relationships Holly had with the wonderful Kaiako. They provided her with a sense of purpose and helped her to develop a positive mindset to easily bounce back from any adversity big or small that she encountered throughout her day. This is such an important part of transitioning to school and thanks to Wise Owl, Holly has coped brilliantly and is loving her school journey in every way. Thanks so much to all the wonderful Kaiako at the Wise Owl early learning centre for assisting us as a family with the start of Holly’s school journey.

Wise owls has been amazing throughout Mishka’s journey and has played a key role of helping her blossom into a confident, strong willed and an amazing child we are so proud of. All the teachers are so amazing and we couldn’t have asked for anything more. Thank you for everything you have done.

She is doing really well in school and enjoying it. The transition was super smooth .. she fit right in. And she had most wonderful welcome when she came with both Chloe and Scarlett giving her huge welcome cuddles when she got to school. It was such a warm welcome filled our hearts!

Zoe started school really well prepared.  She just went straight in to class on her first day, no tears and really excited.  She has settled in so well and has surprised us all.  Thank you for helping Zoe prepare for her school journey so well.

Chloe has had a great transition to school.  She started school very confident with all the independence she needed to be successful – this included dressing herself and changing into togs and uniform, start of the day routines, bringing home her belongings and home learning at the end of the day.

Her teachers have been impressed with Chloe’s kind and caring nature and her keenness to learn.  She has been much more confident than we anticipated and was quick to settle in and adjust to her new norm.

Wise Owl E.L.C is our extended whanau, where they have cared beautifully for our two children.

We are extremely happy with the ethics behind Wise Owl’s. Child led play that leads to so many natural learning experiences and developing relationships. I believe they have a great start to life at Wise Owl’s when they get to engage in messy play and it helps grow their inquisitive minds.

It was really important for me to find somewhere my two who are close in age and the best buddies would not be separated because of their ages. At Wise Owl’s they have a good balance where babies and older kids intermingle, they get to learn from each other, using a tuakana teina approach. This allowed my two to be in the same space but also have the opportunity to do their own thing.

The other appealing part of Wise Owl’s is the Kaiako (teachers). They also have their own children under the care of the centre. This helps to create a loving whanau.

The team of teachers have always been mixed in experience so the kids get all types of support and nurturing. We are very grateful to Wise Owl’s for being our rock.

Hi Anette.

Wise Owl is a fantastic centre that is very homely and inviting. The teachers are awesome and treat my son as if he was their own. I have always had great communication with the team. They are a beautiful bunch of ladies and always make sure they meet the needs of my son.

I’m so glad I made the choice to send him there. He is so happy and content.

I highly recommend Wise Owl.

Wise Owl is just like home! Full of love, happiness and warmth. The staff are amazing and really care for each and every child. I feel so at peace when I drop my daughter off, knowing she is safe and well taken care of.

The change in Sienna has been from night to day. She has engaged with the staff well and her language skills are vastly different. Sienna is a much happier monkey and I am so grateful to you!

Wise Owl is a very special place.

I had visited quite a few ELC’s before visiting Wise Owl and as soon as I walked in the door, it felt so different. Anette and her team are amazing. They really care and it feels like such a loving family.

My little man has had some developmental delays along the way and everyone has been so supportive and encouraging. They all really care about each individual child and their needs, encouraging them and celebrating their progress and their differences.

I can’t sing their praises highly enough. I consider myself and Jack very lucky and fortunate to be part of this amazing whaanau where he has already grown and learnt so much.

Claire & Jack

Hi Anette

I just wanted to send a big heart felt message and lots of praise to your wonderful Pepi Kaiako. As I have been sitting in TK the last few weeks settling Q… in I have just been in awe by the way the teachers flow with the rhythm of the children, juggling meeting all their needs so calmly and making each child feel loved and cared for. It made my mama heart so full to know I was leaving my baby with teachers that cared so much and created this warm, calming but joyful environment for our children to grow.

I was also particularly impressed with their use of Te Reo with the children and I could tell they were words and phrases the Kaiako said often as it was spoken naturally and the children understood.

I am also so grateful for the other kaiako too, they always have positive things to tell me about O… and we feel he is thriving at the moment, he has finally found his feet in the big kids room and is so excited to come on his days, his confidence has grown so much. He is also so proud that he is bringing his little brother to wise owl. He is always saying “bubby me why ow” with a big smile on his face.

Thank you so much ☺️