We've Rebranded ✨
From Wellington Childcare to Curious Minds—same dedicated team, same great childcare, now with a name that truly reflects our early learning philosophy.
Curious Minds Island Bay
Where Curiosity Meets Learning. A Unique early learning experience in the heart of Island Bay for Children Aged 6 Months to 6 Years.
Contact Us
Get Directions
Address
112 The Parade, Island Bay, Wellington
Opening Hours
Open:
Monday to Friday
7:30am - 6:00pm
Closed:
Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays
Our Rooms
Tūi
6 Months to 2 Years
Kiwi
2 to 3 Years
Pūkeko
3 to 6 Years
ERO Report
Have a look at our ERO report from The Education Review Office
Te Whariki - Our Core
Te Whāriki is New Zealand's early childhood education framework, guiding children's development from birth to age five.
At Island Bay, we embrace this curriculum, using its principles to shape our approach. The name Te Whāriki, meaning "woven mat," reflects the interconnected strands of learning that foster each child's growth. We value children as confident, capable learners, than can take charge of their own learning journey.
Wellbeing (Mana Atua)
Children's health and emotional well-being are paramount. Our safe, supportive environment ensures each child feels secure and valued, laying the foundation for their overall development.
Belonging (Mana Whenua)
Embracing each child's unique background, we foster strong connections with families and the community. Our inclusive practices help children feel at home, encouraging confident engagement in all activities.
Contribution (Mana Tangata):
Active participation is encouraged, valuing children's ideas and promoting collaborative experiences. This approach helps them recognise their significance, developing a sense of responsibility and respect for others.
Communication (Mana Reo)
Rich language experiences and diverse mediums of expression support the development of effective communication skills. Children learn to convey their thoughts and emotions, fostering strong interpersonal connections.
Exploration (Mana Aotūroa)
Curiosity and a love for learning are nurtured through diverse opportunities for exploration and discovery. Our stimulating environments and responsive teaching practices empower children to investigate, ask questions, and develop problem-solving skills.
Our Rooms
At Curious Minds Island Bay, our facilities include three spacious classrooms with well designed outdoor environments, offering opportunities for children to explore and learn through play.
Find a room for your child:
Tui Room (6 months-2 years) – A warm nurturing, caring home away from home for pēpi to safely explore and grow.
Kiwi Room (2-3 years) - An engaging space where toddlers are nurtured to experiment and gain confidence in their abilities, learning alongside others and developing independence.
Pukeko Room (3-5 years) – An engaging learning environment celebrating children’s unique ability to learn, developing working theories about their world around them and their wider community.
View our rooms below
Centre Philosophy
Our Island Bay early learning centre provides a welcoming and engaging environment where babies and young children can flourish, and their learning takes flight. Our centre is a place to explore and create, with hands-on learning in a safe and homely setting. We nurture the children in our care, providing plenty of opportunity for laughter, friendship, and learning. We provide cooked kai each day, plenty of fresh air, and a balance of peaceful and high-energy play to ensure children are healthy and happy.
Our teachers are committed and passionate early childhood professionals who create a warm and responsive learning environment, filled with aroha and genuine care. We offer varied, play-based learning using the New Zealand Early Childhood curriculum, Te Whāriki, and up-to-date theories and practices in the field of education. We see children as capable and powerful learners. We support children to discover their interests, inspire wider world thinking and promote social competence.
Each child is on their own unique learning journey at Island Bay Early Learning Centre, and we work closely with children and their whānau to support and extend children’s individual interests and goals. We support children to become well-rounded, confident, and ready for school when they leave our care. All languages, cultures, families, and religions are important as part of our Island Bay Early Learning Centre whānau.
We believe in celebrating and supporting diversity. We have strong relationships with our centre whānau and our Island Bay community and support our tamariki to grow in a connected and collaborative setting. At Island Bay we believe he waka eke noa (we’re all in this together) and we are welcoming and supportive of everyone in our centre whānau. We work together to make this a great place to learn and grow. Our Philosophy learning priorities are: Manaakitanga, Maia, Mahi Tahi, and Whanaungatanga.
Trips and Outings to explore our local community
At Curious Minds Island Bay we go on regular adventures to explore our local community building relationships and connections.
Why Curious Minds Island Bay
At Curious Minds, we believe every child deserves a space where they can explore freely and grow confidently. Guided by the Te Whāriki curriculum, we make curiosity the heart of learning, using play to spark creativity, independence, and a love for discovery.
Our caring educators encourage children to follow their natural curiosity, helping them engage with the world around them and explore at their own pace. For parents who value curiosity and wonder, we provide the building blocks to inspire a lifelong love of learning.
Our Curriculum
Curious Minds is a great place for young children to explore and create with hands-on learning in a safe and engaging environment. We know each child is on their own unique learning journey and we recognise the importance of fostering each child’s curiosity in a responsive and nurturing environment.
We offer a play-based curriculum where teachers notice, recognise and respond to children’s ideas and interests. The learning environment is set up each day to spark curiosity and to support and extend children's learning. Our teachers use a wide variety of responsive teaching strategies to support each child’s development and progress.
Our curriculum is underpinned by New Zealand’s early childhood education curriculum, Te Whāriki. Te Whāriki sets out principles, strands, goals and learning outcomes to guide our programme and teacher practice. Each Curious Minds centre has a unique philosophy developed to meet the aspirations of the children and families in their learning community.
Read more about the strands of Te Whāriki here
Principles of Te Whāriki
Te Whāriki is structured into four key elements: principles, strands, goals, and learning outcomes. At its foundation, the principles represent core values that guide every aspect of your child's learning journey. These principles are woven through daily activities at our Island Bay centre shaping an environment where children feel valued, supported, and inspired to explore.
The strands outline five essential areas of learning and development, ensuring a holistic approach that nurtures each child's growth. See the principles below.
Empowerment Whakamana
Holistic development Kotahitanga
Family and Community Whānau Tangata
Relationships Ngā Hononga
20 hours ECE subsidy is offered here
Experiences
We believe that learning through play is vital for your child's development. Our environment is carefully curated to encourage creativity, critical thinking, and social interaction. Some of the key experiences include:
Sensory Play
Music & Movement
Arts & Crafts
Story Time
Outdoor Play
Facilites
Curious Minds Island Bay is equipped with modern, child-friendly facilities designed to create a safe and engaging environment for learning and play.
Our facilities include:
Spacious Classrooms: Bright, airy rooms filled with age-appropriate resources that promote learning and creativity.
Outdoor Play Areas: Our outdoor play areas are bright and open offering sensory toys, sand pits, jungle gyms, pathways for children to explore and more.
Learning Materials: A wide range of educational toys, books, puzzles, and sensory materials that encourage curiosity and hands-on learning.
Quiet Areas: Dedicated spaces for rest, relaxation, and quiet activities, helping children recharge during the day.
Our facilities are designed with the safety and well-being of your child in mind, creating an environment where they can explore, learn, and grow. See additional facilities below!
Safe & Caring Space
Dedicated Nursery
Hot Cooked Lunch
Morning & Afternoon Tea
Secure & Privacy
ECE Hours Available
Continuos Outdoor Access
Help with School Transition
Video Tour
Take a child’s-eye tour of Curious Minds Island Bay! Explore our interactive walkthrough, designed to let you experience every corner from your little one’s perspective. Discover our vibrant classrooms, engaging outdoor play spaces, cozy dining areas, and our welcoming reception for easy drop-off and pick-up.
FAQ: Common Questions
Our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section provides answers to common inquiries about Curious Minds Centres. We understand that choosing the right early learning centre for your child is a significant decision, and we are here to help you make an informed choice.
All Curious Minds Island Bay operates from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
Yes, meals are included in the fees. We provide a nutritious hot lunch, morning tea, and afternoon tea each day, catering to various dietary needs to keep your child nourished and energised.
Yes, we have in-house relievers. This ensures your child is cared for by familiar staff, maintaining continuity even when regular teachers are unavailable.
We pride ourselves on excellent staff retention. By offering full pay parity, we attract and retain high-quality educators, ensuring a consistent teaching team for your child’s learning and development.
At Curious Minds Childcare, we prioritise your child's safety and development by maintaining adult-to-child ratios that meet or exceed government standards. This commitment ensures that your child receives attentive care and the freedom to explore their world safely at all times.
We believe in a play-based, child-led approach to early childhood education. Our programmes are grounded in Te Whāriki, which are designed to promote cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development through engaging and hands-on activities
We hold bi-annual parent-teacher meetings to discuss your child’s progress and development. These meetings provide an excellent opportunity for in-depth conversations about your child’s learning journey.
Have More Questions?
Ready to
look around?
Come experience Curious Minds Island Bay! Visit us to explore our spaces, meet our welcoming team, and get a sense of what makes us special.
What Our Parents Say
We’re confident that you and your child will love Curious Minds Johnsonville, but don’t just listen to us! Hear what our parents say!
Read our ERO Report
Take a look at our latest ERO report to see how we're doing! Each year, the Education Review Office evaluates us based on their standards, and we're proud to share the results with you. Read the report below.
Contact us
Open Hours: Monday to Friday: 7:30am – 6:00pm
Phone
Centre Location
Wellington and Queenstown
Wellington Childcare has rebranded to Curious Minds Ealy Learning. This new name better reflects our commitment to fostering curiosity and growth in every child. While our name has changed, our dedication to providing exceptional care and education remains unchanged. Welcome to Curious Minds Early Learning, Where Learning Takes Flight.
Our Centre Locations
Island Bay Curious Minds
Johnsonville Curious Minds
Miramar Curious Minds
