Home-Based Childcare, Southland

A values-led approach to nurturing tamariki.

Home Grown Kids Educators/Kaiako offer home daycare in Southland, guided by the following principles:

Respect: Everyone’s voice is heard. Consideration of others and their strengths is important to the team to ensure we celebrate the highs and reflect on our learning opportunities

Relationships: Open communication, genuine connections, and happy educators build responsive and reciprocal relationships.

Community: A collaboration and a sense that we’re all in this as a team, steering the waka together.

Empowerment: We inspire, mentor, and enhance each educator’s mana & wellbeing. More than home childcare, we offer a space for people to feel a sense of belonging. A place to stand Tūrangawaewae, barriers removed.

Tamariki: Scaffolding independence, we help tamariki build a positive learner identity of “I can do it”. Our home-based childcare in Invercargill and across Southland encourages children to lean on their individual skills and knowledge, as they learn, problem-solve, ask questions, experiment, take risks, and get familiar with their limits.

Responsive relationships and cultural/social identities: We support tamariki building respectful, reciprocal relationships with people, places and things. As trust is developed, they know that adults are sensitive to their emotional, physical, social, cultural and spiritual care needs and that these will be met. Prior learning & skills are celebrated, and whanau aspirations affirmed.

Connecting with our local area and the natural environment: Tamariki develop a strong connection with nature. Outdoor tamariki are healthy in mind, body and soul, and are resilient. Tamariki are encouraged to explore and experience the natural world around them through sensory perceptions and experiences such as touching grass, feeling flowers, touching sand, holding leaves, observing the sky, and listening to birds. We focus on fostering a sense of Kaitiakitanga and respect for Papatūānuku, forming a sense of identity and belonging. Acknowledging local history ‘Murihiku’- “tail end of the land” (Invercargill), representing connection to land, sea, and skies.

Social competence: Tamariki learn by observing, learning with and alongside others, which is why our home-based childcare in Southland goes beyond four walls. Tamariki are learning social skills to establish and maintain friendships with all tamariki—empowering Tuakana-teina relationships.

Looking for the right childcare option for your whānau?

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Our korero encompasses the experience and insights of our four operating brands: Kids at Home, Wild Things, Gingerbread Cottage and Home Grown Kids. Through these brands, we support families and educators across Aotearoa, including those providing home daycare in Southland. Each brand is integrated and supported under the Edubase banner, without losing the unique identity that’s important to the people aligned to the brand.

Our Why

Our Guiding Principles

E.
Empowering

We aspire to empower everyone connected with Edubase to grow in confidence and capability, to ultimately exceed their potential.

D.
Devoted

We are passionate about Home Based ECE and are committed to providing the best outcomes for tamariki in Southland and throughout Aotearoa.

U.
Understanding

We approach our work with empathy, care and understanding for every individual.

B.
Belonging

We want everyone within Edubase to experience a strong sense of belonging, and to know they are valued and respected.

A.
Authentic

Openness and transparency guide all actions and communication.

S.
Sense

of fun. We enjoy our work and embrace the joy that comes with supporting tamariki.

E.
Excellence

We share a common purpose, which involves delivering excellence at every touchpoint.

To find your community, click your region on the map below

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Testimonials

From those who love us

First time Mum

Waikato

I was scared and felt so guilty putting my son into care but it was clear from the start how cared for he was and he thrived! He still talks so fondly of his educator even after finishing up. We are forever grateful.
Hamilton, Waikato

JK

Levin

My experience was over and beyond of what I expected. Our Educator was exceptional with my child. My girl always wanted to go. She didn’t miss a day unless she was sick. Her Educator took them out everyday, playgroup, parks and other cool outings. The communication was always good. I highly recommend this service if anyone is looking.

Group size matters

North Shore - Auckland

Edubase and our educator were amazing and we are so grateful that our son was able to be nurtured and developed during his time. We are not new to homebased care as an option but what made Edubase stand out is the smaller number of children in the inhome environment and all the events and opportunities where educators and children can meet and socialise. Our son definitely benefited from being able to socialise in bigger groups.

BM

North Canterbury

Having a home-based facility close to my work meant that my child was in an environment where she was well cared for and provided opportunities for community activities that she would not have had in a more traditional preschool setting. She thrived in the environment, and I am thankful that this was an option for my child.

G.M

Upper Hutt

Our Educator offered the perfect environment we needed at the time. We will always appreciate the care and support we received. I will definitely recommend.

A&T B

Rangiora

Our Educator, Sharlena, has been both of our children’s caregiver for the past four years and she has treated our children as if they were her own. Both of our kids are incredibly confident, well-rounded individuals who have loved having Sharlena in their lives, and she will be hugely missed by our whole family. We can’t recommend her enough.

Happy Parent

Auckland

We had an amazing experience with Sha as our Home Based Educator. It is very easy to see that she loves kids and is very attuned to their needs. My child felt so at home at Sha’s. She had a calm and caring energy, and she was very easy to communicate with. She learned so many words and skills through play. My toddler ate all her veggies at Sha’s when I couldn’t feed her them at home! Sha has been so wonderful and we highly recommend her!

OH

Absolutely love where my child went, fitted all his needs with his disabilities being autistic, his teacher understood and helped me and my son SO much. The support was outstanding. Thank you so much.

Anon

I’m a parent who struggled with anxiety around childcare after a negative experience at a daycare. The home-based care I received through Homegrown Kids was calm, nurturing, and had such positive energy. It genuinely helped ease my anxiety. Our carer was incredibly loving and truly cared about my child, which made all the difference. I highly recommend Homegrown Kids to any parent looking for safe, supportive care.