Do you remember the good old-fashioned Kiwi dream?

The one where families strived for a quarter acre section, relishing the scenic beauty and expansive space that a rural lifestyle offers? Well, it still exists…in Coatesville!

A mere 30-minute drive north of cosmopolitan Auckland, you’ll find a community of rolling green hills, sprawling gardens, and smiling faces. And, as of December 2022, you’ll also find our newest New Shoots children’s centre. It’s right off the Coatesville Riverhead Highway, looking at home between two local cafés and across the road from the Coatesville Pony Club.

If your children love idyllic Coatesville, they’ll love spending their days at New Shoots – it’s designed with countryside living in mind. 

We fell in love with Coatesville

With our support office in Auckland, we were familiar with Coatesville. Of course we were. We knew it was a special place, close to the city and yet a world away. When we heard about a plot of land that would be perfect for a New Shoots centre, our imagination ran wild.

The stunning rural backdrop. The neighbouring ponies. The friendly folk.

But, at New Shoots, we don’t like to make assumptions. Would Coatesville even benefit from a new children’s centre? Only the locals could answer this question, so we headed into the main village, the local shopping centre, the parks, and the cafes. 

As soon as we started to talk to the people of Coatesville, we knew we were in the right place. 

Here’s what we learnt:

• Coatesville and the surrounding neighbourhoods of Riverhead, Kumeū, Huapai, Albany, and Waimauku, are vibrant, friendly, and diverse. 

• You are a community who love the outdoors. From hiking to pony riding to whiling an afternoon away in the garden, you are always on the lookout for ways to enjoy nature – rain, wind, or shine.

• There’s a strong desire for an early childhood centre that, like the community, is invested in promoting children’s connection with the natural world.

Becoming part of the community

During the height of the pandemic, children became accustomed to faces hidden by masks and the practice of social distancing. As New Zealanders, we understood the value of these measures, but as early childhood educators, we worried about how this would affect our youngest, most precious members of society and their intense need for social interaction, affection, smiles.

Well, Coatesville – you have warmed our hearts! Long before the doors to our children’s centre even opened, we have been welcomed into your tight-knit community with open arms and ear-to-ear grins. Being eagerly accepted into Coatesville in this post-Covid era has been a joy.

Opening the doors to New Shoots Coatesville

Since the centre opened, we have loved getting to know the tamariki of Coatesville and its nearby neighbourhoods. Whether your child is cooking at the mud kitchen or selling cupcakes at the ‘café’ inside, you can practically see their brains growing and their neural connections strengthening. And when they are ready to process all the learning they’ve been doing, there are plenty of cosy nooks and quiet corners.

The play area inside will give you kitchen envy with its stainless steel benchtops, potted plants, and bespoke cabinetry. It’s like being at home, only better – here, nothing can be accidentally broken and no freshly folded laundry will be upended!

Beyond each room’s sliding doors, an outdoor sanctuary awaits complete with green grass that mimics Coatesville’s rolling hills, young plants that will grow alongside your children, and generous sandpits that encourage endless imagination.

The teaching team makes our centre shine

While the centre is beautiful, it’s the incredible team of passionate early childhood teachers, a talented chef, and an outstanding centre director that brings everything to life. Our centre director, Nicola Gambie, is a long-valued member of the New Shoots team. Hailing from our Hobsonville centre in Auckland, she’s moved out of the city to fulfil her own dream of rural living. 

With Nicola at the helm, our team of hand-picked teachers are happy, calm, and confident. They inspire creativity, meet your tamariki where they are, and look for ways to encourage your child’s budding curiosity.

Is the Coatesville community beckoning?

If you’re looking for a children’s centre immersed in nature, we’d love you to join us at New Shoots Coatesville. 

Contact us to register your child today. And for more information about New Shoots Children’s Centre, visit our website where you can learn about our curriculum, vision, and commitment to sustainability.

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