For happy confident learners
First Steps Papatoetoe is a vibrant quality childcare centre in an easy-to-reach Papatoetoe location. We are situated within an old villa-style day-care centre which helps us to provide a warm, welcoming home-away-from-home feel.
We aim to provide high quality early childhood care and education in our community. We have a wide range of different cultured teachers which helps us prevent language barriers. Families from all cultures feel comfortable with the daily routines and events which occur within our multi-cultural learning environment.
At First Steps Papatoetoe we offer a transition to school programme for all preschool children and currently work alongside Papatoetoe East School to develop a smooth transition between our centre programme and the school.
Our cook provides freshly cooked nutritious meals in line with Healthy Heart guidelines.
We have an open door policy and encourage all our families to join us to play a part in teaching our next generation.
Our parents say…
"I know my child is safe when my child asks ‘mum can we go to our other home’. First Steps Papatoetoe has proven that my children are safe and cared for.”
“First Steps Papatoetoe is right for my child because of the great staff and nutritious meals”
We look forward to meeting you soon!
What else you can expect from our childcare centre:
• A planned programme to engage children’s interests.
• Nutritious meals prepared on-site each day.
• Friendly and approachable staff.
• Individual portfolios for each child.
• Quality teacher ratios of 1:4 for under two’s and 1:8 for over two’s.
• Affordable rate, 20 ECE hours programme.
Parent Feedback:
"Nga mihi nui ki a tatou katoa mo ou koutou whakamahi ki te hapai me te manaaki i o tatou tamariki mokopuna.
Kia ora everyone at First Steps Papatoetoe, On behalf of myself and my whanau I would like to thank and acknowledge the staff at First Steps Papatoetoe for their unconditional caring, loving and enduring support to all our tamariki/whanau.
As a Father to Te Maia-a-rangi I feel your Centre has a warm, safe and welcoming presence. As a Māori, that is the key fundamental for my child’s well-being, spiritual wellness. Without it we as Māori cannot function in this world.
From observation I feel the children have a high-quality early learning and developmental opportunities provided by high-quality and trained staff. The way the staff work cohesively and collaboratively with each other encompasses the aspects of Whanaungatanga (Relationships-Togetherness) which is role-modeled to the children, parents/whanau.
I also see and feel an understanding and appreciation of the Treaty of Waitangi, biculturalism, Te Reo and Tikanga Māori within your ECE Centre. Where the staff support and encourage the learning of Māori children and the involvement of Māori parents.
First-Steps you should all be proud and I would like to thank you all for the wonderful and amazing aroha/love you show towards my daughter, Te Maia and myself as her Papa/father.
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, ēngari he toa takitini - My strength is not mine alone, but that of everyone" - March 2012
View our centre's latest ERO report here...