Inangaro
Love
Inangaro is an emotional feeling driven by empathy that is integrated in all that we do, see, feel and hear.
Turou, Oro mai,
Aere mai
Where every child shines.
A warm welcome for your tamaiti and your anau. Pasifika culture, faith and everyday discovery come together at Tiny Stars, in the heart of Ōtara.
Faith-filled
✦Culture-rich
✦Play-led
✦Anau-focused
Kia Orana
Welcome to Tiny Stars
In the heart of Ōtara, Tāmaki Makaurau, we offer a Pasifika-infused environment for our growing, diverse community. We welcome tamariki from 3 months to 6 years, and their anau who help them shine.
“E patu i te korero ki runga i te papa tei ‘akamou’ia ‘e te ‘ui-tupuna”
“The foundation has been laid by our ancestors. The place we come from is unique.”
Ministry of Education, 2012, p. 8
Our philosophy
Grounded in Faith
At Tiny Stars, “where every child shines”, our anau-focused practices and values are inspired by the virtues described in Galatians 5:22–23.
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control guide the way we care and learn together.
Open our philosophy poster PDFOur cultural values
What we practise, every day.
Irinaki
Faith
We intentionally incorporate spiritual awareness in learning.
Api‘i
Education
We use Te Whāriki, our early childhood curriculum, to guide learning that retains and passes on Pasifika identities, languages and cultural values.
Tupu‘anga Rangatira
Culture & identity
Our programme is underpinned by akono‘anga Kuki Airani—the Cook Islands way. We celebrate diversity and are mindful of tikanga Māori and Tangata Whenua.
Ora‘anga Vaerua
Holistic wellbeing
Our daily centre life provides interconnected experiences so every tamaiti receives nourishment for their body, mind and spirit.
Our learning rooms
Room to grow.
Room to belong.
Our rooms are named after birds found in the Cook Islands. Each bird’s unique characteristics reflect the different stages of growth, learning and development of every tamaiti.
Infants 3 months–2 years
Tavake
Explorers
Through trusting relationships and responsive care, our pēpi (infants) are nurtured to explore, discover and grow in confidence, knowing they are supported every step of the way. Our puapi‘i respond to their cues, interests and unique ways of communicating, creating a warm, nurturing environment where they feel safe, secure and valued.
Toddlers 2–3 years
Kukupa
Risk-takers
Kukupa tamariki are active and confident risk-takers, eager to explore their world and discover what they can do. They communicate through words, gestures, expressions and actions, building social and emotional skills through meaningful interactions.
Growing learners 3–4 years
Kakerori
Hunters
Our Kakerori tamariki are persistent problem solvers who listen, communicate and develop their understanding through everyday play and positive conversations. They build reasoning skills and independence as they explore and challenge themselves.
Young tamariki 4–6 years
Kota’a
Navigators & leaders
Kota’a tamariki are curious, confident and thoughtful navigators. They love to explore ideas and develop a strong sense of who they are. They learn to recognise and understand different behaviours while building confidence and independence.
Our Tavake room welcomes infants from 3 months. Come and meet the team to talk about your tamaiti’s stage and settling in.
Our intentional programmes
Upholding our
cultural heritage
Every year, three special programmes bring our tamariki and anau together to celebrate who we are and how we learn.
Peu Maori
Language & traditions
Keeping our Cook Islands reo, traditions and cultural practices alive through everyday learning.
Tarekareka
Sports day
A fun-filled day of movement, teamwork and cultural amu (games), with active learning and anau participation.
Penipeni
Cultural arts
Discovering and exploring hands-on arts and crafts together with tamariki and anau, including rangaranga, tuitui and peni kakau.
Transitional learning
Ready for school. Ready for life.
“Akateatea mamao i te pupu kota’a”
Our transition learning prepares Kota’a tamariki for school, helping them manage themselves confidently and become capable, competent learners in a school environment.
- Confidence to try, choose and keep going
- Language, creativity and early literacy
- Friendship, empathy and working together
- A secure sense of culture and identity
Meals at Tiny Stars
Healthy meals.
Happy tummies.
Our own cook prepares nutritious meals in our licensed industrial kitchen, with morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea provided each day.
Here’s a sample of what our tamariki enjoy during the week. Talk with our team about your tamaiti’s allergies or dietary needs.
Open the full sample menu Sample weekly menu
Monday
- Morning tea
- Cereal with milk and fruits
- Lunch
- Gravy beef and vegetables on rice
- Afternoon tea
- Fairy bread with fresh fruits
Tuesday
- Morning tea
- Wholemeal toast with fruits
- Lunch
- Egg sandwiches with fruit (jam alternative)
- Afternoon tea
- Cheese and crackers with fruit
Wednesday
- Morning tea
- Yoghurt with fruit puree
- Lunch
- Butter chicken curry with rice
- Afternoon tea
- Berry pancakes
Thursday
- Morning tea
- Wholemeal toast with fruits
- Lunch
- Vegetable mac and cheese
- Afternoon tea
- Cake with custard
Friday
- Morning tea
- Cereal with milk and fruits
- Lunch
- Fish and chips
- Afternoon tea
- Banana oat loaf
Good to know
Questions anau often ask.
What to bring, what’s provided and how to get started. If you need anything else, give us a call—we’re happy to help.
What age can my tamaiti start?
We welcome tamariki from 3 months to 6 years. Our settling-in process helps every tamaiti and anau feel safe, comfortable and at home from the very beginning.
How do you help new tamariki settle in?
We offer a three-day settling-in period:
- Days 1 and 2, 9am–10am: You stay and settle in together with your tamaiti.
- Day 3, 9am–12pm: Your tamaiti attends on their own, only if both you and your tamaiti feel comfortable doing so.
What do I need to bring?
Please bring two or three changes of clothes, a sun hat or winter hat, and a warm jacket and gumboots in winter. If your tamaiti has an allergy to regular sunblock, please provide your preferred brand. Please also supply formula, nappies and wipes if your tamaiti needs them.
When do you operate?
We’re open all year round, Monday–Friday, 7am–5:30pm, including school holidays and the Christmas/New Year period. We close only on statutory public holidays.
Do you provide meals?
Yes. Our own cook prepares nutritious, healthy morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea in our licensed industrial kitchen. Take a look at a sample weekly menu.
Can we visit before enrolling?
Absolutely. We encourage anau to come in, meet our team, look around and see how your tamaiti feels in the environment.
Do you offer 20 Hours ECE?
Yes, our centre is a government-approved ECE programme. Tamariki aged 3–5 years can receive up to 20 funded hours a week, with a maximum of six hours a day.
Kia orana — welcome to Tiny Stars
A place where your anau can feel at home.
We want your anau to feel comfortable from the moment you arrive. Come in with your tamaiti, meet our puapi‘i and take your time looking around. We’ll listen, answer your questions and help in any way we can.
Come and see us208A Preston Road
East Tāmaki, Auckland 2023
Our doors are openMonday–Friday
7:00am–5:30pm
We’re happy to talk09 273 6942