The Little Diggers Story
What We Believe
A place where tamariki feel safe, known and genuinely cared for. Where learning happens naturally through play, relationships and curiosity. And where whānau feel welcomed, supported and connected from the very beginning. That belief sits at the heart of everything we do.
We believe the early years are too important to be ordinary.
Children learn best when they feel secure, curious and connected. Our approach is grounded in play-based, child-led learning – where tamariki are given space to explore, ask questions and develop at their own pace, supported by kaiako who truly know them.
Te reo Māori is woven naturally into our everyday environments, because we believe bilingual exposure from an early age is a gift. And because we know children thrive when home and centre feel connected, we work hard to keep whānau informed, involved and genuinely welcomed.
Owned locally by Dee
Little Diggers was founded by local Canterbury mum Dee.
Her journey in early childhood education began with the establishment of Kirwee Tree House Learning Centre — built on a simple idea: that quality early learning should feel warm, nurturing and deeply connected to community. That same vision has since grown into Nurture Group, now home to four centres across Canterbury — Kirwee Tree House, Portobelo Kaiapoi, Portobelo Avonhead, and Little Diggers.
As a parent herself, Dee understands the trust families place in a centre every day. Creating environments where children feel secure, confident and valued has always been central to her vision.
Today, Dee remains actively involved across all four centres, working closely with their leadership teams to ensure every family experiences the care, professionalism and sense of belonging Little Diggers is known for.
What sets Little Diggers apart
Our Leadership Team
Behind the centre is a team of experienced leaders who care deeply about creating a calm, welcoming environment for tamariki, whānau and kaiako alike.
Nicki, our Centre Manager
Nicki has been a qualified kaiako for nearly 25 years, holding a Diploma of Teaching in ECE. She was drawn to the sector by a simple love of children, something that took root early, growing up around her own mum’s home-based childcare.
She’s been part of the Little Diggers journey since it began in October 2025, bringing 14 years’ experience from our sister centre, Portobelo. That experience has shaped how she leads — with a steady, hands-on approach and a genuine belief that a centre’s culture is built in the small, everyday moments as much as the big milestones.
A mum of three herself, Nicki finds real joy in watching children grow in confidence, especially those she’s known from their very first days through to starting school. She brings that same perspective as a parent to her leadership, understanding first-hand how much trust families place in a centre and how much reassurance those small daily updates and hellos at the door can offer.
Her hope is simple: that every family feels a true sense of belonging at Little Diggers, in a centre known for its close-knit, community feel.
Camille, our Business Support Manager
With more than 20 years of experience in early childhood education, Camille supports our centres across operations, quality practice, health and safety, leadership development and day-to-day support for our teams.
Having worked alongside Dee since the early days of Kirwee Tree House Learning Centre, she brings a deep understanding of what makes a centre feel like home — for children, whānau and teaching teams alike. That experience means she’s often the steady, familiar face behind the scenes, helping ensure every centre operates smoothly while never losing sight of the people at the heart of it.
Camille plays an important role in maintaining the culture and standards that shape the Little Diggers experience, working closely with Nicki and the team to ensure the same values that have guided Portobelo and Kirwee Tree House for years are woven into everything Little Diggers does.
Our Kaiako (Teachers)
Our teaching teams are at the heart of daily life at Little Diggers.
Every kaiako is chosen not only for their qualifications and experience, but for the relationships they build with children and whānau. Through play, creativity, conversation, exploration and everyday moments of care, they create learning environments where tamariki feel confident to grow and thrive.
Supported by experienced team leaders and centre managers, our kaiako work together to create calm, engaging spaces where every child feels seen, respected and encouraged.
Supporting Little Diggers
Behind the scenes, our wider support teams help create the calm, welcoming experience families know Little Diggers for.
Our Administration Team
Our administrators are often the first friendly faces families connect with. Working closely alongside centre managers and whānau, they support everything from enrolments and bookings to everyday communication and ongoing support for families.
Our Kitchen Team
Fresh, nourishing kai is an important part of daily life at Little Diggers. Our cooks prepare wholesome meals and snacks each day while supporting a wide range of dietary and cultural needs, helping create positive mealtime experiences for tamariki.
