The focus on family and the holistic approach to nurturing tamariki in all areas – physical emotional, social, and spiritual – are reasons Carmen and her husband value Eden Cottage and the time their son spends there.
Carmen feels her story needs to start with a disclaimer – she is employed by Visionwest, but that’s not the reason she and her husband sent their son along to Eden Cottage, Visionwest’s Early Childhood Education Centre.
I used to live locally and whenever I’d drive down Glendale Road, I’d see the Visionwest sign. Then, one day, I was looking for a job on Seek and saw a perfect role going at Visionwest. I thought it would be great to work close to home and so I applied.
Carmen got the job in Visionwest’s HR department but initially gave little thought to enrolling her son at Eden Cottage. After all, he was already attending another kindergarten and besides, Carmen was concerned about whether mixing work and family would work out.
My son was in another centre. It was a good centre, but he wasn’t really settling there. Eventually I thought it made sense to have him here close to me. I know the teachers at Eden Cottage and so I thought this is actually the best possible situation for us. I bring him to the centre and then I continue with my day and then at the end of the day I pick him up, so it’s the best.
What Carmen hadn’t immediately appreciated was the calibre of the teaching at Eden Cottage.
I like that it’s faith led but it’s more than that. There’s a real holistic approach to nurturing tamariki with a focus on physical, emotional, social, and spiritual growth. Other centres we’ve seen are well run but very commercial. Eden Cottage is very professionally run but, at the same time, it feels like home. I guess that’s why my son settled so quickly and so well. There wasn’t even a transition period for us, he just blended in right away.
Carmen understands that finding the right place for a child’s early education is a big decision for parents but is adamant that anyone looking for a kindergarten that offers a calm, homely environment, a fun yet safe space that’s welcoming and nurturing, should check out Eden Cottage.
Teacher Crystal and her awesome team are fantastic. They’re very supportive, not only of the kids, but of parents as well. It’s a good start for the kids to socialise, get to know other people, learn, and prepare for big school.
Working at Visionwest is an added bonus for Carmen. She often catches up with another staff member who has a child at Eden Cottage, and they agree, it’s not only the convenience that makes the centre the best place for their children. It’s all the extras; alongside great teaching the children enjoy special cultural days where they learn dances and songs and taste ethnic foods. The Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Christmas Time performances are also highlights of the year.
Click here to read what other parents think of Eden Cottage.
In late 2024, Eden Cottage celebrated its 40-year anniversary – that’s forty years of providing quality childhood care and education to our local community. If your children or the children of someone you know would benefit from an awesome, local early childhood centre, with a homely feel and great teachers, phone 027 740 1742 or email, edencottage@visionwest.org.nz.
**We understand that it is a great privilege when someone generously agrees to share their story. This blog and other material are shared with Carmen’s permission, and we thank her for her generosity.