An east Auckland kindergarten is throwing its doors open to the public to celebrate its 30th birthday and the whole community is invited to join in the fun.
Leesa Hill is the founder and owner of the Kids Crafty Club at 50 Baird Street, Howick, which is believed to be the oldest privately-owned kindy in the community.
She and her second-in-charge, and sister-in-law, Toni Hill, are preparing with their wider team to host the centre’s birthday party from 10am to 1pm on Saturday, May 10.
They encourage present and former staff, families and children to go along, as well as parents considering enrolling their little ones at the centre in future.
“We’ll have food stalls and we’re fundraising for the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ,” Leesa says.
“Parents can donate, we’ll make cupcakes, there will be children’s art that parents can buy, and we’ll have a white elephant stall, like a garage sale.
“It’s children’s clothes, puzzles and toys, and parents can buy whatever they choose for a gold coin donation.
“There’s also going to be little rides for the children, a merry-go-round, a popcorn machine, and Mr Whippy ice cream.”
The business began as an afterschool care programme that operated from a house in Baird Street and ended up turning into the first kindergarten.
It then converted another property nearby in Moore Street into a childcare centre.
“We bought the neighbour’s house and did an extension on the back of 48 Baird Street, and then we decided we needed this corner property that we’re in now, so we bought that,” Leesa says.
“And we’ve got our OSCAR (Out of School Care) programme in Moore Street.”
The fact Leesa’s daughter Brooke works at the centre and is training to be a teacher adds to its family feel.
“We’re very proud of what we’ve established here and what we’ve grown into,” Leesa says.
“We offer a family feel and I think it’s because of how we’ve kept it in individual houses instead of being one big childcare centre.
“We employ staff who take the responsibility of it being their house and their team is operating it, but with our guidance.
“We’re family-friendly and I think our houses show that. We’re different to a lot of others and also having been here for so many years.”
Toni Hill says she’s looking forward to being able to open the centre to the public at the birthday celebration.
“Showing people what we do and how we’ve grown in the last 30 years is quite cool.
“We know the culture we want for the centre, which is nurturing and very warm.
“We love getting to know our families and we’ve got families in which we’ve taught the parents.
“I’ve worked with teachers here who I taught 25 years ago who have now come through as teachers, which is really cool.
“We want this to be the best place because we love it and are invested in it.”
Brooke Hill says anyone who goes along on Saturday will be able to meet past and current staff of the centre and enjoy a wide range of activities.
One of the things that makes the centre special is that its staff connect with the children’s families, she says.
“We’re very community-minded and enjoy spending time with our families and getting to know everyone individually.”
