The OUCA has five early childhood education centres on the University campus.
All of our centres use Te Whāriki – the Early Childhood Curriculum – to provide quality education and care for all children. Our excellent teacher-to-child ratios and provision of 100 per cent qualified teachers ensure the curriculum is enacted to a high standard.
Trained cooks provide nutritious food that meet the standards of the Healthy Heart awards.
If you would like to visit the centres we would love to show you around. To minimise the disturbance to children and teachers, we offer this on the first Thursday of every month. To arrange a visit, please contact:
Email ouca.manager@otago.ac.nz
Ko te rau, ko ia te kite
Don't sit back, have a go … they who seek shall find
Te Maioha
| 551 Castle Street North – Te Pā Building | ||
|---|---|---|
| Head Teacher | Julie Watkins | |
| Phone | +64 3 742 1142 | |
| Age range | 0–2 years | |
| Hours | Pounamu room | 7:45am–5:30pm | |
| Rata room | 8:00–4:00pm | ||
Te Uru
| 551 Castle Street North – Te Pā Building | |
|---|---|
| Head Teacher | Kirstyn Stanaway |
| Phone | +64 3 742 1695 (Head teacher) |
| +64 3 742 1703 (Centre) | |
| Age range | 2–5 years |
| Hours | 7:45am–5:30pm |
Te Puna
| 551 Castle Street North – Te Pā Building | |
|---|---|
| Head Teacher | Neli Padgett |
| Phone | +64 3 742 2991 |
| Age range | 2–5 years |
| Hours | 8am–4pm |
Te Pārekereke o Te Kī(bilingual)
| 551 Castle Street North – Te Pā Building | |
|---|---|
| Head Teacher | Toroa Pōhatu |
| Phone | +64 3 742 5098 |
| Age range | 0–5 years |
| Hours | 7:45am–5:15pm |
Rōpū Tiaki Tamaiti – UOCA College Centre
| 137 Union Street | |
|---|---|
| Head Teacher | Emma Hulls |
| Phone | +64 211 737 449 |
| earlylearning@ouca.co.nz | |
| Age range | 0–5 years |
| Hours | 7:45am–5:15pm |
Education Review Office reports
Te Pā
"Children are very well supported in their learning. Effective leadership, a rich and culturally responsive programme and intentional teaching practices promote positive learning outcomes for all children. There are strong systems and practices that support teaching and learning opportunities for all children including children under two years and priority learners.
"Children experience a well-planned and resourced learning programme and environment that promotes their engagement, exploration and development of competencies across the breadth of the curriculum. The physical environment provides a range of challenging equipment and experiences."
Read the latest Te PāERO report
Rōpū Tiaki Tamaiti – College Centre
"Rōpū Tiaki Tamaiti – College Centre has a strong focus on building strong relationships between staff, children and families/whānau based on meeting the learning needs of the children.
"There are many and varied opportunities for the families and whānau to engage with the centre and discuss the aspirations they have for their children. Teachers value and acknowledge parent and whānau aspirations for their children and take these into account when planning learning and activities assessment. As a result, teachers know the children, parents and community well and are responsive to individual needs.
"Teachers provide a curriculum that is responsive to infant's toddlers and young children's deep interests. Children play in a mixed age group setting that encourages the building of tuakana/teina relationships. A range of teaching strategies and practices are used to respond to their cultures, identities and languages."
Read the latest Rōpū Tiaki Tamaiti – College Centre ERO report