Small groups
Time and attention for each child, with strong connections between children, teachers and whanau.
Boutique early learning · Te Awamutu“A beautiful
“A beautiful
place to grow.”
Small groups. Big connections. Endless opportunities to play.
Welcome to Flourish
A little place with a lot of heart.
Flourish is a privately owned early childhood centre where every child is known and every day has room for wonder.
Our small group sizes and high teacher ratios make space for genuine relationships: kaiako can slow down, care genuinely and celebrate each child for who they are.
Our qualified teachers work alongside whanau so children feel a strong sense of belonging, have the confidence to explore and play, and truly are in a home away from home.
Our philosophy is deeply rooted in free play, messy play and nature play experiences. Bringing the expertise of Kimberley Crisp to life.
Qualified teachers
A fully qualified teaching team who bring knowledge, care, creativity and fun to each day.
Nature Play
Spending time outdoors and enjoying nature is easy at Flourish! With our large gardens there is always something to explore.
Small groups, big adventures.
At Flourish, we believe exceptional early care and education begins with strong, trusting relationships. Our small group sizes and generous teacher-to-child ratios give us time to truly know each child and their whanau, creating a sense of belonging where children feel safe, understood and ready to explore.
Our centre has two thoughtfully designed rooms:
- Te Kōhuri: 8–12 infants and toddlers, cared for by four teachers.
- Te Māhuri: 30–34 preschool children, supported by five to six teachers.
With at least 10 teachers across our centre each day, alongside additional support staff when needed, we make a deliberate investment in the quality of each child’s experience.
Having more teachers means more time for individual attention, comforting cuddles, meaningful conversations and thoughtful support for learning. For our youngest children, this allows responsive, unhurried care that respects their individual rhythms and routines. As children grow, it gives teachers time to nurture their interests, encourage independence and help them navigate friendships and emotions.
Qualified teachers. Wholehearted care.
Every member of our teaching team is either a qualified early childhood teacher or studying towards their early childhood education qualification. Together, they bring professional knowledge, fresh perspectives and a shared commitment to thoughtful, high-quality care and education.
Early childhood qualifications build a deep understanding of how young children learn, develop and form relationships. This knowledge helps our teachers recognise the learning within everyday play, respond sensitively to children’s emotions and create experiences that reflect their individual interests, strengths and stage of development.
From supporting a baby’s sense of security to helping a preschooler navigate friendships or explore a new idea, our teachers combine knowledge with warmth and care. Working in partnership with whanau, they help each child feel understood, develop confidence and build strong foundations for lifelong learning.
Nature is part of every day.
At Flourish, we treasure the simple joys of childhood—muddy hands, sandy toes and the excitement of discovering something new. Inspired by Kimberley Crisp’s approach to meaningful play, our philosophy values curiosity, imagination and time for children to explore their own ideas.
Our gardens and outdoor spaces invite tamariki to move, create and connect with nature. Planting seeds, noticing insects and caring for living things nurture wonder and a growing understanding of kaitiakitanga—our responsibility to care for the natural world.
Simple materials. Endless possibilities.
Loose parts are materials children can move, combine and transform in their own ways. From natural treasures to fabrics and wooden pieces, they offer endless possibilities: a collection becomes a village, a piece of fabric becomes a shelter, and an idea becomes a shared adventure. With no single “right” way to play, children practise thinking creatively, solving problems and working together.
The family behind Flourish
Personally cared for, every day.
Flourish is a privately owned, family operated centre which holds children at the heart of everything we do.
“When we purchased Flourish many years ago, we set out to create a centre that took the expertise of parents, the needs of children and the voices of teachers all into consideration. It is my job as centre director to make these ambitions come to life. What we have here is pretty special and I feel so lucky to work with this team every day.” Kate Welten, Owner and Centre Manager.
That personal connection shapes a place where parents are supported, children are known, teachers feel empowered and everyone has room to Flourish.
Our vision
“To see all children, staff and our environment Flourish.”
Connection · Support · Growth
We believe every child deserves excellent care and education. Whatever their identity, culture or language, each child is valued and supported to discover their own learning journey.
Come and visitEnquire about a visit
See if Flourish feels like home.
We would love to show you around, introduce you to our team and hear about what matters to your family.
433 Rewi Street, Te Awamutu, New Zealand
Monday–Friday, 7:30am–5:30pm
