Two young children playing outdoors in a playground enclosed by a metal fence decorated with colorful butterfly and bee decorations. One girl is standing, smiling, and reaching towards a baby sitting in a black infant swing, which is suspended from a swing set. The baby looks up at the girl with a content expression. The background shows trees, wooden structures, and other children.

Our Place to
Explore, Create & Grow

Welcome to In Our Garden
920 Francis Hicks Avenue, Raureka, Hastings

A yellow smiling sun with rays extending outward and a happy face.

“In Our Garden

is a place that feels like

home”

Illustration of a tree with a brown trunk and green, flowering foliage with purple blossoms.

In Our Garden is a small, mixed-age early learning centre in Hastings for children aged 0–5 years.

We provide a warm, welcoming environment where children feel safe, supported, and encouraged to learn through play, creativity, connection, and everyday experiences.

Arrange a Visit ▸
Cartoon snail with a yellow face and orange body, smiling, with a green spiral shell.
Our Environment ▸

Learning Through Play, Creativity & Connection

❊ Little Legends

A young girl playing in a blue plastic kiddie pool in a backyard. There are colorful plastic cups and plates on a wooden picnic table nearby. The scene is sunny with greenery and a metal fence in the background.
Two boys are playing and jumping off a small trampoline at a playground, with a girl in the background and trees and sunlight overhead.

Children at In Our Garden spend their days exploring, creating, imagining, and learning through hands-on experiences. From outdoor play and messy creativity to quiet moments, storytelling, and shared meals, every day is shaped by curiosity, connection, and child-led learning.

 

We believe children learn best when they feel safe, supported, and free to explore the world around them at their own pace.

Our Environment ▸
Children creating artwork at a table with markers, crayons, and paper in a classroom or creative space.
  • A young girl with long brown hair watering a garden with pink flowers using a green watering can.
  • Two children playing outside near a small wooden playhouse on a sunny day. The girl is sitting on a tree stump with a red and white polka dot top, and the boy is standing inside the playhouse with a gray shirt and shorts.
  • Young child sitting at a table, drawing with markers on a sheet of paper. The table has various colored markers, and the child appears to be creating colorful doodles and scribbles.
  • Young boy riding a bicycle barefoot on a sunny backyard pathway, with another child on a bike behind him, and a woman standing on a wooden deck watching. The area is decorated with colorful clothespins and laundry hanging, with trees and outdoor furniture in the background.
  • Child playing with water in a blue slip and slide, holding a yellow toy.
Yellow flower with a round orange center and multiple yellow petals

Our Teachers

Meet Our Teachers ▸
Meet Our Teachers ▸
A simple stick figure drawing of a person with outstretched arms, a smiling face, and the word 'oil' written on their chest, on a green background.
A simple, yellow outline drawing on a green background of a smiling girl with long hair, and the words 'go girl' written on her shirt.

Emma
The Silly, Crazy One

Vicki
The Happy, Busy One

Cartoon ladybug with red body and black spots
A simple line drawing of a girl with a big smile, standing outside with her arm extended, against a green background.

Dale
The Loud, Outside, Fun Teacher

Child's drawing of a smiling girl with long hair, wearing a shirt with 'goi' written on it, holding a yellow object, on a green background.

Jo
The Messy, Tallest, Reach Stuff One

Yellow sun with a smiling face and rays extending outward.
A cartoon illustration of a leafy tree with pink flowers and a brown trunk.
A stylized brown footprint with five toes on a black background.
A stylized brown footprint with toes
Child's drawing of a smiling figure with long arms and antennae, on a green background.

Nana Marg
The Huggy, Happy, Fun One

Child drawing with yellow lines on a green background, holding a marker and drawing the word 'golf' with a golf ball and tee.

Emilie
The Happy Creation Teacher

A digital drawing of a person with long hair, smiling, wearing a dress with '@' and 'oi' written on it, on a green background.

Miriam
The Fun, Huggy, Singing One

Join
Our Team

A cute cartoon snail with an orange body and green shell.

❊ Testimonials

What Our Families Say

The relationships we build with children and families are at the heart of In Our Garden.

Here’s what some of our whānau have to say.

Leave us a review on Google ▸
  • A light blue background with green quotation marks at the top, black text reading 'Great place where my son enjoys lots,' and black text at the bottom reading 'Taj, Parent.'
  • A text image featuring a quote about outdoor play, with the words 'Wonderful relaxed and caring environment with fabulous teachers. Our little one loves all the stimulating outdoor play.' and the name Natalie, Parent at the bottom.
  • Quote with green quotation marks and black text on a light blue background that reads: "Amazing daycare where our little one thrives and absolutely loves his teachers!" At the bottom, it says: "JASON PARENT."
  • Quote graphic with a teal background, green quotation marks, and black text that reads "An amazing relaxed whānau environment with an excellent, experienced tamariki leader, getting our little people ready for the learning journey ahead of them."
  • Thank you message for welcoming with open arms, mentioning a son loved his parents and looking forward to returning next week.
  • A quote about loving how the educational staff run the center, displayed on a light blue background with green quotation marks and text, ending with a thank you to the staff. Beneath the quote, there is the name 'Hayley, Parent' in bold black text.
  • Quote in green quotation marks on a light blue background, with black text below. The quote reads: "We chose In Our Garden because we knew right off the bat that our children would absolutely love it. Their values really aligned with ours, and we're so happy we enrolled our children here. I love that every single teacher is so attentive, loving, and caring towards our Tamariki. Both of our kids have learned so much from being in a hands-on environment and their confidence levels have grown exponentially. Thank you to the lovely team at In Our Garden!" The quote is attributed to Natasha, a parent.

❊ FAQs

You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers

  • Starting early learning can be a big transition for both children and families. We encourage families to visit the centre before their child starts, helping children become familiar with the environment, teachers, and daily routines at their own pace.

    Our team works closely with families throughout the settling process to help children feel safe, supported, and comfortable as they begin their journey at In Our Garden.

    Our Fees & Enrolment

  • No two days are exactly the same at In Our Garden, but each day includes a balance of play, creativity, outdoor exploration, shared meals, quiet moments, storytelling, and child-led learning.

    Children are encouraged to explore their interests, build relationships, and learn through hands-on experiences in a calm, welcoming environment.

    Our Daily Routine

  • Yes. Outdoor play and connection with nature are an important part of everyday life at In Our Garden.

    Children regularly spend time exploring, creating, climbing, gardening, discovering, and engaging in messy play experiences that support confidence, creativity, curiosity, and learning.

    Our Environment

  • We believe strong communication with families is an important part of supporting each child’s wellbeing and development.

     

    Alongside everyday conversations at drop-off and pick-up, we use Storypark to share updates, learning moments, photos, and important information with families throughout the year.

  • In Our Garden welcomes children from infancy through to five years of age in a mixed-age learning environment.

    Our mixed-age approach encourages children to learn alongside one another naturally while building confidence, friendships, empathy, and a strong sense of belonging.

    Learn More About Us

Red and black ladybug with spots.
Young boy crawling through a makeshift obstacle course created with tires outdoors on sunny day, with house and fence in background.
Two young children, a girl and a boy, riding orange bicycles in a backyard, with a wooden fence, trees, and a shaded patio in the background.
Close-up of a person wearing a black sweatshirt with colorful embroidery that says "In Your Garden EC" and has a smiling sun with sun rays and a red flower. The background shows people and outdoor objects, slightly blurred.
Four children standing in line, observing or playing with a small wooden house with butterfly and bird decorations, surrounded by greenery and outdoor wooden furniture.
A young girl with dark hair tied back, sitting on a green circular rug with colorful flowers and butterflies, on a dark speckled floor.

The best way to get a feel for In Our Garden is to come and spend time with us. We welcome families to visit the centre, meet our teaching team, and experience everyday life in our garden.

Come & See In Our Garden for Yourself

Arrange a Visit ▸
Arrange a Visit ▸
Fees & Enrolment ▸
Fees & Enrolment ▸
A playground area under construction with sand, toys, and various equipment, surrounded by a fenced yard with trees and shade sails overhead.
A smiling sun with a yellow face and rays, cartoon style.