Who We Are

Hello there

We are a collective of educators, parents, children and extended community members who are passionate about the shared responsibility of raising kind, resilient, creative and confident children who know the importance of staying connected to their heart, their unique aspirations and the community that holds them.


We believe in truly child-centred care, grounded in genuine relationships and authentic experiences. We are Just Like Home.


Proudly, we are a locally-owned and operated family business. That means, when you join Just Like Home, either as a family or an educator, you are lifting up and supporting our shared community.

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My Story

Just Like Home Childcare was established in 2020 with a vision close to my heart: to create something outside of the corporate childcare world, rooted instead in community. I wanted women in our region to have meaningful, rewarding work that supported their work, life, and family balance. And I wanted children to be cared for in the place that is best for them — a home.

My background in health, social services, and education showed me how vital it is to care for the whole child — not just their learning, but their wellbeing, their sense of belonging, and their joy. I dreamed of a service that would honour childhood as the sacred time it is: a time for play, imagination, connection, and wonder, all nurtured in the warmth of a home environment.

That dream became Just Like Home. Our educators, each with their own unique gifts, share a commitment to creating peaceful, trusting spaces where children feel safe and seen. With only four children to one educator, every child has the freedom to lead their own day — to explore, create, and grow at their own pace, in a place that feels familiar and secure.

The care families receive with us reflects the love and nurturing of parents, held within the safe embrace of our educators and our wider community. No matter which educator or programme you join, children are offered daily opportunities to connect with nature, engage with their local community, experience real-world learning, and deepen their friendships.

At its heart, Just Like Home is about more than childcare. It’s about supporting women to thrive in meaningful work that balances family and livelihood, and ensuring children across Otago and Southland are raised in environments that honour the truth we hold dear: home is best.

“Cherishing childhood, empowering women, strengthening community.”
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Our Philosophy



At Just Like Home, we are committed to nurturing tamariki in environments that respect their development and natural curiosity. We seamlessly support the needs of infants, toddlers, and older children, creating spaces where they can grow, explore, and thrive at their own pace.


For Under 3s – Nurturing Natural Rhythms (Pikler Approach):

Our youngest tamariki are cared for in calm, nurturing environments inspired by the Pikler approaches. By following their natural rhythms, we create opportunities for tamariki to explore freely and develop their unique abilities at their own pace.


For 3–5 Year Olds – Empowering Exploration through Nature and Play:

For older tamariki, we focus on fostering independence, curiosity, and confidence through child-led play and nature-based experiences. Free exploration and risk-taking are encouraged, providing opportunities for tamariki to follow their interests, solve problems, and build resilience.


With a child-led approach at the heart of everything we do, we trust tamariki to guide their learning journeys with joy, empathy and trust. Small group ratios allow for strong, connected relationships that support both their emotional and physical well-being.

Just like a seed nurtured into a mighty tree, tamariki blossom into their full potential when given the time, support, and care they need. By fostering trust, joy, and wonder, we celebrate the unique strengths and abilities of every tamariki in our care.