Excitedly open for business and looking forward to welcoming your family to a home away from home, the team at Wildflowers Early Learning Centre (ELC) are a few weeks in since opening and say things are going amazingly well. Locally owned by Hannah and Kris Burns and Amy Herbert, Wildflowers ELC is truly a space like no other, offering a thoughtful and holistic approach to early learning.
Around three years in the making, Hannah explains that the Wildflowers concept began when Amy and herself realised they shared the same vision to create a beautiful space for children. “We had the same aspirations to create a centre where learning is fostered through sensory exploration and mindfulness, working with the whole family and building partnerships with them and the community for a holistic approach, and has been evolving ever since.”
Hannah has over 22 years of experience in teaching and management, which pairs perfectly with Amy’s extensive background in marketing, managing, and the holistic approach. When a space opened up at The Meadows, their vision started to become a reality but unfortunately Covid hit. Fast forward to 2022 and the pace increased with preparations well underway for an April 2023 Open Day. “Another challenge was the process of gaining the licence which took far longer than we had hoped,” says Amy. “There was a change to the licence process mid-way through the build, but it feels great to finally get that and to celebrate with the team.”
The Wildflowers ELC philosophy is made up from a collection of theorists and practices to meet the needs of all children through a holistic approach, Hannah adds. “Our Mindfulness practice starts with the senses, which why our environment is so important, including sounds and smells. Our special sensory room provides a calm space for children and teachers when needed and we pride ourselves on building relationships with our whanau and families, so they feel welcomed and valued as partners in their children’s learning. Everyone is greeted with a smile, and everyone is wished a farewell.”
After a successful Open Day, a huge highlight for the duo has been seeing how well the centre has come together, and the response from parents and children, with a steady stream of families who were eager to explore the creative rooms and spaces at the centre. "Visitors have all said it's such a nice environment and a real ‘home away from home’ atmosphere,” says Amy. “We were solidly busy with a nice flow of people. We handed out all our enrolment packs and had to make lists of names to post out more!”
The Wildflowers ELC team is hugely diverse with staff from all over the world and 98 years of experience shared between them. “The staff are creating a great feel in the place so that has really helped with settling in the children, we have been super blessed finding the team we have and are loving meeting the new families and getting to know their personalities.” Each team member, including the chef and admin, are first aid trained so no one is left vulnerable, and the centre operates above minimum ratios to ensure quality and to support their teachers.
The first couple of weeks have gone pretty well, notes Amy. “The children are settling in wonderfully, they are loving the food that is specially designed and carefully thought out by our qualified and talented chef Tash, and the teachers are working phenomenally together, for such a new team.” Overwhelmed with the support from so many people, over their journey in creating the centre, they say the input from everyone is something they are extremely appreciative of.
“Everyone, from Graham Vercoe the building owner for allowing us to design the building layout and have input in the finishes was a huge bonus, Comans for doing a cracking job of the build and a special shout out to Mike the foreman who was super patient with us and going above and beyond to help out, all the local trades and suppliers, through to our neighbours Alioke and Kerridge & Co, their support and patience has been incredible,” says Amy. Grounded Garden and Maintenace worked tirelessly to get the beautiful garden with lush natural grass completed, and Big Ideas created the centres stunning website and all other digital documentation. “He's been a great support for all IT based queries - he's our IT guru!”
Looking to the future, part of Amy and Hannah’s vision has always been to open the centre up as an all-inclusive learning space for people. “Once we have found our rhythm our aim is to offer the centre as a community hub in the evening for yoga classes, anti-natal groups, mindfulness, sound baths, learning to cook healthy on a budget etc,” Amy explains. “This centre was designed for children of course but we have set it out and styled it so it can be a calm place for adults to join in the evening for such groups. We will also, during the day have special events and people visiting for the children and be celebrating certain things during the year such as the upcoming Matariki holiday.”
Adding to their overall holistic vision is the small shop in reception which is filled with some beautiful gifts that are available for purchase including children's colouring books, honey stick crayons, aromatherapy oils, beautiful candles, a range of books, jewellery, teethers, shakti mats and more, “Anyone can pop in to purchase gifts, you don't have to be enrolled at the centre to visit. We have tried to select products that compliment a healthy lifestyle for body and mind as well as beautiful giftware that support local businesses,” says Amy.
Catering to children from newborn to six years old, Wildflowers ELC are currently taking a waiting list for the under 2-year-olds rooms but still have a few spaces for ages 2 years and over. Families are welcome to pop in for a walk around and the centre also offers settling in visits to make sure both parents and children are happy. “Feel free to call, email or message us to get an information pack or further details,” says Amy. “Check out our website with images and a beautiful video thanks to Lumiere creative production studio, we have our parent handbook on there, info about our lovely team and updates as well as the shop!”
Wildflowerselc.co.nz
