Welcome to Cherry’s
Cherry’s Early Learning Centres are privately owned and operated early childhood education centres located in Christchurch, New Zealand. The two locations: Riverview St in Beckenham – opened in 1991 – and Maryhill Ave in Hoon Hay – opened in 2009 – are operated by Cherry and Richard Howitt. Both Cherry’s centres are licensed for children aged between 0 and 5.
Cherry’s on Maryhill
Cherry’s on Maryhill Ave is set on a large corner section in a modern building with shaded play-gardens, close to Hoon Hay and Our Lady of Assumption Primary Schools. When establishing the Centre we were very mindful of our impact on the environment and recycled all building materials possible. In the play-gardens we used locally sourced macrocarpa and manuka, and sustainably harvested purple-heart was used for the decking. Read more…
Cherry’s on Riverview
Cherry’s on Riverview St is nestled on a quarter acre section in a character bungalow and provides a comfortable home-like setting amongst established trees and play-gardens. Thorrington and Beckenham Primary Schools are nearby this quiet suburban location near the base of the Cashmere Hills. There are separate large and well shaded play-gardens for younger and older children, with silver birch, walnut, genko, cedar and totara and cabbage trees gracing the garden. Read more…
Why Choose Cherry’s?
- Privately owned and operated by Cherry and Richard since 1991
- All fully qualified, and many long-serving teachers
- Strong family links, each child has their own primary caregiver
- Focus on sustainability through the Enviroschools programme
- Unique natural well-shaded play-gardens
- Daily bi-cultural focus through Waiata, Te Reo and Tikanga Maori
- New Zealand’s growing multi-culturalism celebrated
- Choice of two quiet suburban locations
Our Philosophy
Tamariki are taonga tuku iho, treasures handed down from our tipuna. Working in partnership kaiako and whānau hold these taonga close, nurturing and protecting them, while encouraging them to be curious about te Ao and their place in it. Whānau, as pou whakahirahira – the most important post, are valued for their wealth of diverse talents and are encouraged to participate in the care and education of their tamariki.
Cherry’s Centres are Enviroschools where sustainable practices, both environmentally, and ethically, form a central pou of our beliefs and practices. We provide a nurturing and homelike learning environment in a play-garden setting, where tamariki are encouraged to be the kaitiaki of Papatuanuku and of each other.
Our acknowledgement of Te Tiriti o Waitangi; and the importance of authenticating te reo, tikanga and matauranga Māori supports us in our kaitiakitanga and in allowing our tamariki to appreciate the bicultural heritage that is theirs as young New Zealanders.