Māhuri Exploring, Learning, and Growing – Premium Toddler Care in Hamilton
In our Māhuri room, tamariki are supported to become confident, capable, and increasingly independent learners within a safe, loving, and nurturing environment. Through meaningful relationships, shared experiences, and play-based learning, children are encouraged to explore their world, develop communication skills, strengthen social connections, and build a strong sense of belonging.
Our Māhuri room caters for toddlers and young children as they begin developing independence, confidence, and curiosity about the world around them.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Learning Through Play
We believe children learn best through play, exploration, and responsive relationships. Our kaiako thoughtfully follow children’s interests, support them to try new things, and extend their learning through meaningful interactions and intentional teaching.
Our environment offers opportunities for:
- dramatic and imaginative play
- sensory exploration
- language-rich experiences
- physical movement and active play
- manipulative and fine motor development
- problem-solving and cognitive exploration
- creative experiences
- social learning alongside peers
Children are given the time and space to explore independently, alongside friends, or within small group experiences. We value uninterrupted play and believe meaningful learning happens when tamariki are able to follow their own interests and ideas.
Relationships and Wellbeing
Strong, respectful, and responsive relationships are at the heart of our Māhuri room. We strive to create an environment where children feel emotionally secure, valued, and supported to express themselves confidently.
Teachers are here to guide and support children through their learning journey, offering emotional reassurance, encouragement, and physical support when needed. We encourage children to use their words to communicate their needs, feelings, and ideas, while continuing to support emerging communication through the use of baby sign language where appropriate.
The care, wellbeing, and safety of our children underpins everything we do.
Growing Independence
We encourage tamariki to become both independent and interdependent learners by supporting them to try things for themselves and take increasing responsibility for their daily routines.
Children are supported to build confidence in:
- dressing themselves
- toileting routines
- caring for their belongings
- eating independently
- making choices
- contributing within the group environment
Through these everyday experiences, children develop confidence, resilience, and a growing sense of capability.
Partnerships with Whānau
We value strong partnerships with parents and whānau and believe children thrive when home and centre work together. Open communication and collaborative relationships help us create consistent, supportive learning experiences that respond to each child’s unique needs and strengths.
Transition to Rākau
As children grow and become ready for their next stage of learning, we provide a personalised and responsive transition programme into our small-class Rākau room. These transitions are guided at each child’s pace, supporting children to move confidently into their preschool years with a strong sense of familiarity and belonging.
Our Māhuri room is a warm and welcoming space where children are encouraged to explore, connect, communicate, and grow into confident learners through play and relationships.
Book a visit to experience our toddler programme in action.
Meet the Kaiako
JESSIE
Team Leader - Qualified Kaiako
Jessie has a Bachelor of Teaching in ECE. She is passionate about working with young tamariki and providing them with a safe, comforting environment where they can learn and develop at their own pace. Jessie enjoys teaching in Māhuri for the excitement and enthusiasm that toddlers bring to their learning and play.
LUCY
Kaiako
Lucy is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education. She has always had a love of learning and feels very lucky that she has this opportunity to share her learnings with the tamariki at Midcity. Growing up surrounded by lots of young family members ignited her passion for Early Childhood teaching. Lucy enjoys seeing all the different personalities of the tamariki, while supporting and extending their learning to develop into confident and capable tamariki.
MARINA
Qualified Kaiako
Marina is originally from Russia and has lived in New Zealand since 2002. She has a degree in Social Sciences, majoring in Human development – as well as a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education from the University of Waikato. Marina has been teaching since 2014, and loves being a part of our Midcity whānau.
Marina believes that whanaungatanga (relationships) are at the heart of everything and once tamariki feel safe, secure, and have a sense of belonging – the sky is the limit. Marina is passionate about the Māori principles of Manaakitanga (respect) and Kotahitanga (diversity, unity, togetherness) and the importance of instilling those into tamariki during their early years.
Marina is looking forward to being a part of the learning journey of your tamariki and making a positive difference in their lives.
OLIVIA
Qualified Kaiako
Ko Ruapehu te māunga
Ko Waikato te awa
Nō Hamilton ahau
Ko Otis taku tamaiti
Ko Olivia tōku ingoa
Olivia was born in Hamilton but spent her childhood in Taupo before returning to Hamilton. Olivia has a Bachelor of Teaching and holds her full teaching registration. After a few different careers, she fell in love with teaching and has been teaching since 2018. Olivia is passionate about intentional teaching and learning through play. She loves working alongside tamariki and watching them grow and develop their own personalities.
GAGAN
Relief Kaiako
Gagan began her teaching journey in New Zealand in 2025 and has had the privilege of working across all three rooms at Midcity – Rito, Māhuri and Rākau. Gagan enjoys being in each room because every age brings its own joy, challenges, and opportunities for learning. Gagan previously worked as a teacher in India and she is passionate about continuing her teaching journey here in Aotearoa. She believes that when tamariki feel safe, respected, and encouraged, they develop the confidence to explore and grow at their own pace.
Gagan is now looking forward to studying further in Early Childhood Education so she can strengthen her teaching practice and continue supporting tamariki to thrive.