Ōtaki Early Learning Centre
177 Mill Road, Ōtaki

Ōtaki Early Learning child care centre


Ōtaki Early Learning Centre is a purpose built centre catering for children from birth to five years old. Our centre is divided into two areas - under two year olds and over two year olds. Both provide quality programmes based on children’s individual interests.

We are the only centre offering a full day programme from 7:30am to 5:30pm in Ōtaki. We have weekly visits to the Kapiti gymnastic club among many other excursions which include walks to the park.

For further information contact Ōtaki Early Learning Centre.

Activities for all to enjoy


Gym - Mondays - 12:30 - 2:30pm

Library - Alternate Thursdays

Otaki Domain - Alternate Thursdays

Visits to the local kura during school holidays

Make an enquiry...

We welcome bookings for visiting any of our centres, or you can pop in to have a chat with our friendly team. 

The only childcare centre offering a full day programme in Ōtaki

  • Purpose built centre catering for children from birth to 5 years old
  • Focussing on children's individual interests
  • Opening Hours: 7:30am-5:30pm
Ōtaki Early Learning Centre is located at 177 Mill Road, Ōtaki

Meet our childcare teachers...


Theresa – Head Kaiako

Kia ora. My name is Theresa, and I have been a qualified, registered teacher coming up 11 years now. At O.E.L.C I have been the head teacher for four years and I have enjoyed being around a great group of Kaiako as well as most of all, watching these beautiful Tamariki growing up to be amazing human beings. Making sure that they have a fun and safe environment and working as a team to bring them activities that will extend on their learning is an important part of my day. The best bit about my job is no two days are the same and that makes life busy and interesting.



Whaea Hannah

Kia ora, I’m Hannah. I have been a qualified, registered teacher for over 3 years and I also hold a Diploma in Applied Psychology that I completed to support my teaching. Here at ŌELC I am the 2IC and adore being part of this awesome, loving whānau.

The concept of ako is the heart of my teaching, where I am both the teacher and the learner simultaneously, there is always so much to learn from our wonderful tamariki. I love creating inclusive, calm and fun learning environments for all tamariki and ensuring everyone has equitable opportunities to thrive in their learning space. Ngā mihi



Whaea Tori
Kia ora, my name is Tori, and I am a fully qualified and registered teacher with over 14 years teaching experience. I have a respectful, warm and passionate teaching approach that demonstrates nuture and trust. My experience has helped shape my strong beliefs about how I can best teach and support your tamariki to learn and grow to their full potential. I believe in building strong relationships with children, whanau and kaiako, and I strive to create and maintain an environment where your tamariki can feel safe and secure, have a strong sense of belonging, and grow and thrive whilst exploring the world around them

Together with a team of amazing, passionate and creative kaiako, I am committed to providing  you and your tamariki with a loving and developmentally sound foundation for a lifetime of learning and fun.



Whaea Alicia

Kia ora whanau, my name is Alicia Eastham and I am a qualified and registered ECE teacher, originally born and raised in Porirua. I studied my Bachelor of Teacher (ECE) through the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand and qualified at the end of 2016. I have been working in ECE for 10 years. I am passionate about creating an environment for tamariki to think and problem solve, feel confident and competent within themselves, and to be creative



Whaea AJ

Kia ora I’m AJ. I have recently return to teaching after being a stay at home mum for the past four years. I hold a bachelor of teaching early childhood education and am provisionally registered. I currently work part time and am here at the center on Tuesdays and Fridays.

I believe in the environment being the third teacher where the layout of environment should promote tamariki to build relationships, communication, collaboration and exploration. I endeavour to create equitable opportunities for learning that allows for tamariki to get creative, think, problem solve, ask questions, experiment and most importantly play!



Whaea Sarah
Hi, my name is Sarah. I' have been working in early childhood centres for over twenty years. I graduated with a joint Bachelor of Education from Wellington Teachers College and Victoria University. I have been lucky to work in a variety of different centres here in Wellington and Auckland, where I have learned a lot that has helped shape my philosophy for working with children. I believe that teaching is a life long process of learning new philosophies and strategies, learning from parents, whanau, colleagues, and the children themselves. Children have so much that they can teach us.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I also enjoy spending time outside hiking, and going to hot yoga.



Kayla
Kia ora, I'm Kayla. I have been at OELC since 2022 and returned to work with my son Korbyn just over six months ago, and we both love it here with the awesome Kaiako and Tamariki. I currently work with the Pepi in the Fantail room and absolutely love it. I love watching the Tamariki learn and try new things and encourage this in my teaching. I strive to support Nga Tamariki by creating a loving, safe and fun environment and teaching them to communicate, build relationships, and play alongside one another. I am very passionate in supporting our Pepi and I endeavour to prepare them as they grow and move on to the Kiwi room.



Aaliyah
Kia Orana, I'm Aaliyah. I am a student teacher here at Ōtaki Early Learning Centre. I am currently studying towards my Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood and am set to complete this in 2025! I am often found in the Piwakawaka room but you may see me float into our over 2's space to help support our amazing Fantail team.

As a student teacher I am still gaining a firm stable grasp on my philosophy as a kaiako however here at OELC I have been able to incorporate my upmost values into my teaching practice. Patience is a big value I've held dear to me throughout my upbringing and being able to pass my patience onto every learner in my space is something I put pride in.



Molly
Kia ora, I'm Molly. I was a second year student at Victoria University studying a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and have decided to temporarily step back from my studies as I have received a scholarship from Gymnastics New Zealand to attend a gymnastics school in Denmark for nine months starting in August 2024.

At OELC I am a permanent reliever and love being a part of this amazing community of kaiako, nga tamariki and whanau. I work in the Kiwi room, but also spend a little bit of time in the Piwakawaka room when needed. I love to get creative and active with nga tamariki, and I'm often in amongst the mess of painting and messy play. My background in gymnastics has taught me the importance of physical education from a young age, so I also love to support nga tamariki in their movement and coordination confidence throughout these important years of their development. Nga mihi nui.


Early Childcare Centres in Waikanae, Ōtaki and Paraparaumu| We offer 20 ECE hours and accept WINZ and ELP subsidies
Early Childcare Centres in Waikanae, Ōtaki and Paraparaumu| We offer 20 ECE hours and accept WINZ and ELP subsidies