Community Ownership: Parents likely have a strong say in how the service operates and what happens to children, all money earnt stays within it, and teachers may be paid better and childcare charges may be lower compared to most (but not necessarily all) private and corporate owned services. (Ask: Is it an Incorporated Society? Does it also have charitable status?)
Small Boutique Centre: Centres with 50 or fewer children make it easier for staff to provide a warm and nurturing environment, for children to have their individual needs met and skills, knowledge, and competencies extended. (Ask: For continuity of care and relationships, do children stay with the same group of children and teachers throughout their time at the service?)
100% Qualified Teacher Funded: All staff counted toward meeting the minimum adult-child ratio requirement must hold a practising certificate as a teacher if the service receives this level of Ministry of Education funding. (Ask: Does the service count teachers trained in the ECE of children birth to 5 years and not primary or secondary school trained teachers?)
Men Included on Teaching Staff (as at last year): There are strong benefits of having both men and women on the teaching team for the quality of care and education a service provides to children. Additionally, gender bias in staff recruitment and employment is not generally acceptable in society today. (Ask: How many teaching staff are employed and what proportion are men?)
(as at last year):
Clean Licence Record (last year and the year before): To be licensed a service must comply with regulations that help ensure children’s safety, care, and a suitable standard of education. When requirements are breached the Ministry of Education may downgrade a service’s licence to provisional or issue a suspension. (Check the lists of services placed on a provisional or suspended licence https://oece.nz/public/information/standards/ published each year)
(last year and year before):
Recommended Highly by 80% or More Families: At least 80% of families recommend the service and rate it as being very good to excellent on a range of aspects of quality. (Note that a response rate of at least 51% families on the OECE parent survey https://oece.nz/public/information/resources/parent-survey/ research instrument within the last three years is necessary here)
4 Reviews on “Farm Friends Early Childhood Centre”
Farm Friends has been incredible for our son. He is definitely an “outdoors” kid, and the space provided allows him to explore and interact with nature and his peers in such a genuine and meaningful way.
The kaiako are caring, approachable and have a diversity of knowledge and skills. They know the kids as individuals, bringing warmth and kindness alongside clear and consistent healthy boundaries. Te reo me ona tikanga Māori are interwoven through the centre’s practices and we love the meaningful Matariki get-togethers.
We would, and do, highly recommend this wonderful place to whānau looking for a different approach to the more tightly controlled, sanitized and less exploratory early years settings.
Farm Friends Early Childhood Centre is a truly special place. With a 10-acre farm setting, our two children had daily access to forests, creeks, and open fields, fostering a deep connection to nature. This unique environment encouraged outdoor learning, where kids could explore, take risks, and learn through real-life experiences.
The teachers are exceptional—passionate, dedicated, and deeply invested in each child’s growth. Their approach balances guidance with the freedom to try, fail, and succeed, building confidence and independence.
We couldn’t have asked for a better start to our children’s learning journey. Farm Friends is a gem!
We’ve been happy with this place since our child started at two. Their philosophy aligns perfectly with our values of free play and exploration, which has helped our son build confidence and trust in the world around him. The staff are caring and create a encouraging environment where he feels supported to step out of his comfort zone. We’re grateful for the freedom, and it’s been a great fit for our child.
My children absolutely love being at Farm Friends. They thrive in the outdoor environment, rain or shine, and enjoy nothing more than the daily excursions on the farm, getting muddy and exploring thier world from ants, eels, sheep and chickens to jumping in puddles and climbing trees. There are also always so many creative projects for the children to try each day. The teachers are all warm, caring and welcoming. It’s a second home to my little people.