Portobelo Avonhead
🕒 7:30am – 5:30pm
🏠 124 Yaldhurst Road, Avonhead
📞 03 343-9943
📧 admin@portobelo.co.nz
🕒 7:30am – 5:30pm
🏠 124 Yaldhurst Road, Avonhead
📞 03 343-9943
📧 admin@portobelo.co.nz
Located on Yaldhurst Road, Portobelo Avonhead offers a calm, homely environment with expansive outdoor spaces and caring kaiako who support children to feel safe, confident and connected.
A Day at Portobelo
Each day follows a flexible, child-led rhythm with rolling kai, uninterrupted play, and learning guided by children’s interests.
Morning
Children settle into the day through self-directed indoor and outdoor play, supported by kaiako and their individual routines.
Midday
Rolling kai continues alongside play and learning experiences, with rest and sleep for younger tamariki.
Afternoon
Ongoing exploration, small group learning, and moments of connection, including shared experiences.
End of day
Calm play, shared kai, and connection as tamariki transition home.
Learning & Curriculum
Our programme is guided by Te Whāriki, New Zealand’s early childhood curriculum. Teachers build learning experiences around each child’s interests, encouraging creativity, imagination and discovery.
Settling In
Starting early learning is a big step for both children and parents so we offer settling visits before your child’s first day so they can become familiar with the environment, teachers and routines.
First visits
Parents stay with their child while they explore the centre and teachers learn about their routines, development and interests.
Gradual transition
Children then begin short visits on their own, with the time increasing gradually as they become more comfortable.
Settling visits usually take place over 1–2 weeks, however, every child settles differently, so we work closely with families to make the process positive, flexible and supportive.
Nutrition at Avonhead
We believe that a nutrient-rich and varied diet is crucial for a child’s mental development and well-being. Our menus follow a seasonal 4-week cycle, ensuring a diverse and balanced selection of meals.
All meals are prepared onsite by our dedicated chef. We provide morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and a small snack later in the day for children attending full-day sessions. For our nursery children who are not yet eating solids, we offer seasonal mixed vegetable and fruit purees, freshly made by our cook. Parents are asked to supply formula or breast milk as needed.
We are committed to catering to a wide range of allergies and intolerances, ensuring all children’s dietary needs are met.
