Nau mai, haere mai ki Little Darlings | Ngā Taonga Iti
Belong. Grow. Soar.
Whai tūrangawaewae. E tipu. Ka rere.
A caring, nurturing place in Rotorua where tamariki are affirmed as treasures of their whānau and supported to grow as confident, capable and compassionate learners.
- Tamariki are recognised as taonga
- Guided by Te Whāriki, Te Ara Whānui and Te Tiriti o Waitangi
- Learning pathways followed through meaningful play
- Nestled alongside our maunga, Ngongotahā
Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu
Adorn the bird with feathers and it will fly.
We walk alongside tamariki and whānau, providing the relationships, encouragement and learning experiences that help every child spread their wings.
Why whānau choose us
Every child is treated as a taonga
Choosing a centre comes down to whether your child will be safe, settled and genuinely seen. Here is what shapes every day at Little Darlings.
Tamariki as taonga
Every child is recognised as a treasure of their whānau, arriving with their own mana and rich in knowledge both lived and passed down from their tūpuna.
Learning through play
Tamariki follow their own learning pathways through meaningful, unhurried play.
Whanaungatanga
Strong relationships create belonging, so tamariki know this is a place they can stand.
Confident communicators
Tamariki are encouraged to express themselves, listen to others and be kind and empathetic.
Intentional teaching
Our kaiako affirm individuality and choice, with purposeful teaching that grows curiosity, resilience and social competence.
Whānau at the centre
Your language, culture, identity and whānau tūmanako, your hopes and aspirations, are valued here.
Our spaces
Two spaces, one whānau
Pēpi and older tamariki each have a space built around what they need, while still sharing the same kaiako, garden and community.
Nursery, under 2
Your baby's own sleeping, feeding and comfort rhythm, followed here exactly as it is at home, with every sleep, bottle and nappy change recorded for you.
See the nursery
Preschool, 2 to 5
Big projects, real tools, deep play and the confidence, curiosity and self help skills that make starting school feel easy.
See the preschoolA day at Little Darlings
Unhurried, outdoors and full of real work
No conveyor belt of activities. Tamariki follow an interest until they are finished with it, with kaiako close by to stretch the thinking.
- Karakia and waiata to open the day together
- Long uninterrupted play, inside and out
- Gardening, digging, water and messy play
- Kai shared at the table, not on the run
- Rest and quiet time to suit each child
- Kōrero with your kaiako about how the day went
Fees and funding
Clear costs, with the funding you are entitled to
We are a licensed early childhood service, so 20 Hours ECE and Work and Income childcare subsidies can be applied where your family qualifies. You will get a written estimate before you commit to anything.
What we will tell you upfront
- The days we actually have available
- Your weekly cost after funding
- What is included and what to bring
- How and when fees are charged
Questions whānau ask
The things most parents want to know first
What ages do you care for?
We care for tamariki from babies through to school age. Our nursery space is for pēpi under two, and our preschool space is for two to five year olds.
Do you have space available?
Availability changes through the year as tamariki move on to school. Send us an enquiry with your child's age and the days you need and we will tell you exactly what we have.
Where are you based?
We are at 23 Park Road, Rotorua, close to the centre of town with off street parking for drop off and pick up.
Can we visit before we enrol?
Yes, and we would love you to. Bring your child along, meet the kaiako, see the rooms and the outdoor space, and ask us anything. Most families know within ten minutes whether a centre feels right.
How do you settle a new child in?
You are welcome to bring your child for as many short visits as they need before their first full day. Each child is matched with a primary kaiako so there is one familiar face leading the settling process and one person who knows their story.
Do you provide meals?
Kai is part of our day. Talk to us about what is provided and what to pack, and let us know about any allergies or dietary needs so we can plan around them.
More detail on enrolment, settling in and daily routines is on our parent information page.
Visit us
Find us on Park Road
Tell us your child's age and the days you would like. We will let you know what is available and arrange a time for you to visit.
Enrolments open
Come and see the centre for yourself
Tell us your child's age and the days you need. We will come back to you with what we have available and a time you can visit, with your child alongside you.