At Weave Hawke’s Bay, our commitment to early childhood education (ECE) has deep roots in community and a vision for brighter futures. Our story began over four decades ago, with a genuine desire to create a safe and supportive space for tamariki and their families.
Humble Beginnings
In 1983, the founding year of Napier Family Centre, our ECE services were born out of the creation of Arohanui Playgroup at St John’s Church Hall. This humble playgroup aimed to provide a welcoming, non-judgemental environment where children could socialise and learn while parents had the opportunity to connect and share experiences. This sense of community, built on trust and understanding, became the foundation of what we offer today.
Growth and Expansion
As our services grew and the needs of local whānau evolved, we expanded. In 1987, Arohanui Playgroup moved to Morris Street and was renamed Napier Family Centre Educare. Just a few years later, in 1991, we purchased and renovated a property in Hastings Street, transforming it into a fully licensed childcare centre—ABC 4 Kids—which quickly became a staple of the community. With full rolls year after year, it was clear that the need for accessible, quality early learning was greater than ever.
Investing in Purpose-Built Spaces
But we didn’t stop there. In 2007, we sold the Hastings Street property and invested in a purpose-built facility at 30 Barker Road in Marewa, rebranding the centre as Sunny Days. This was not just a physical move, but a reflection of our ever-expanding vision to create an ECE service that was grounded in community, supportive of all families, and aimed at nurturing the full potential of every child. Our facilities grew even further when we added the Pukeko Room for children under two in 2013, enabling us to serve even more local whānau.
Meeting Diverse Needs with Bright Futures
While centre-based care has always been an important part of our work, we also recognised that not every family has access to this option. In 1994, we established Homecare, offering a flexible solution for parents who wanted to stay home with their children while still earning an income. This service was rebranded in 2005 as Bright Futures, expanding into Hastings and Central Hawke’s Bay, and today it supports around 200 tamariki across the region each year.
A Community-Driven Approach
The journey of Weave Hawke’s Bay in early childhood education is a testament to our values—values that have remained consistent since day one. We believe in accessible, quality education that puts children first and recognises the importance of parents and whānau as their child’s first teachers. We embrace Te Whāriki, the New Zealand early childhood curriculum, and embrace a bicultural approach that reflects the diverse backgrounds of the families we serve.
What sets Weave Hawke’s Bay apart is that we are not driven by corporate interests, but by the needs of our community. We are deeply invested in ensuring every child has the opportunity for a bright, positive start in life. Our approach to early childhood education is about more than just meeting standards—it’s about creating meaningful, lasting relationships with whānau, fostering a sense of belonging, and giving every child the best possible foundation for their future.
As we continue to evolve, our commitment remains the same: to create nurturing, responsive learning environments where children can grow and thrive, with the support of their whānau and community.
