Now welcoming enrolments
Our Centre
🕒 7:30am – 5:30pm
🏠 Unit 2, 468 Mandeville Road, Ohoka, 7692
📞 03 312 0715
📧 admin@littlediggers-ece.co.nz
🕒 7:30am – 5:30pm
🏠 Unit 2, 468 Mandeville Road, Ohoka, 7692
📞 03 312 0715
📧 admin@littlediggers-ece.co.nz
Set in the rural heart of North Canterbury, Little Diggers is a warm and welcoming early learning centre for tamariki aged 3 months to 5 years.
Our separate nursery, toddler and preschool rooms create calm, home-like environments where children feel safe, known and free to explore, with caring kaiako beside them every step of the way.
As a parent-owned centre, we understand how big this decision is – because we’ve been there too. That’s why we offer 4 months free* for new enrolments, to give your family the chance to settle in without the pressure.
*Terms and conditions apply.
See Inside Little Diggers
Spaces purpose-built just for little ones, home-like rooms, and a team who can’t wait to meet you.
Learning Through Play
Our programme is guided by Te Whāriki, New Zealand’s early childhood curriculum. We focus on the holistic development of each child through discovery learning, creative play and an environment intentionally designed to inspire curiosity. Our skilled kaiako use everything they learn about your child’s unique natural abilities and way of seeing the world to guide their individual learning journey.
We’re also proud to support the next generation of educators, offering places for teachers in training to learn alongside our experienced team – bringing fresh energy and ideas into our tamariki’s day-to-day learning
A Gentle, Child-led Start
Starting early learning is a big step, for tamariki and whānau alike, and we never rush it. After your tour, we invite you to bring your child back for a relaxed stay and play session so they can explore the space and begin to feel at home.
From there, settling is gradual and always child-led. Kaiako take the time to really get to know your child – their routines, their personality, what makes them feel safe. Every plan is personalised to your whānau.
And when the time comes for school, we reach out to your chosen primary school on your behalf, so your child walks in already known and understood.
Meet Nicki, our Centre Manager
Nicki has been a qualified kaiako for nearly 25 years and has been part of the Little Diggers journey since it began in October 2025, bringing with her 14 years’ experience at our sister centre, Portobelo. A mum of three, she was drawn to early childhood education by her love of children – something that started young, growing up around her own mum’s home-based childcare.
Nicki loves that no two days are the same, and finds real joy in watching children grow in confidence, especially those she’s known from their very first days right through to starting school. Her hope is simple: that every child and family feels a strong sense of belonging at Little Diggers – a true home away from home.
Fresh Food, Every Day
We believe good food is part of good care. Every meal at Little Diggers is prepared fresh onsite by our dedicated chef – in fact, you’ll often be greeted by the wonderful aroma of home-cooked kai the moment you walk through our door.
A nutrient-rich and varied diet is crucial for a child’s mental development and wellbeing. Our chef follows a seasonal 4-week cycle, and from garden to table, tamariki are involved in growing, harvesting and enjoying fresh kai – building a real connection to where their food comes from.
We provide morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a late snack for full-day tamariki. For our youngest not yet on solids, our chef prepares seasonal purees. Parents are asked to supply formula or breast milk as needed. We cater for a wide range of allergies and intolerances.
Curious about what’s on the menu? Follow us on Facebook for a peek at kai time.
A Place for Every Stage
Nursery (0 – 2 years)
The first 1000 days of a child’s life are among the most significant – and we take that responsibility seriously. Our nursery is a calm, home-like space where babies and toddlers are cared for as individuals, with sleep, kai and play following each child’s own rhythm rather than the clock.
Kaiako take time to truly know each tamariki – their cues, their comfort, their curiosity. Alongside warm, responsive caregiving, tamariki explore sensory, creative and nature-based experiences indoors and out, always at their own pace.
Fresh seasonal purees are prepared on site for our youngest tamariki not yet on solids. Nappies, wipes and sunblock are all included, so families can focus on what matters the most.
Toddler Room (2 – 3.5 years)
Our preschool welcomes tamariki from age two, right through to school age – a time of enormous growth in language, independence and friendships. Each child’s programme is planned around their individual interests, pace and goals so every stage of the journey feels supported.
Days are child-led and flexible, with outdoor play, small group learning experiences and plenty of uninterrupted exploration.
From garden to table, mealtimes are a genuine part of the learning experience – tamariki grow, harvest and share fresh kai together every day.
Preschool (3.5 – 5 years)
As tamariki grow, our programme becomes increasingly rich – weaving together a range of rich, purposeful learning experiences. Our four year olds also take part in dedicated school readiness hui, and when the time comes, we work alongside their chosen primary school to ensure they walk in already known and understood.
Grounded in Te Whāriki, our programme weaves together indoor and outdoor play, creative and sensory experiences, literacy, numeracy, music, movement and more.
What Whānau Say
