Our Families

Welcome home


How good does it feel to come home?

 

To be in your own space where you feel most comfortable and at ease. With home-based childcare, your educator's home will become your child’s home away from home.


As such, nurturing home-based environments that feel familiar, peaceful, secure and loving and that offer whanaungatanga, a connection through shared experiences which provide a sense of belonging, is at the heart of our philosophy.

MAKE AN ENQUIRY

Why home-based childcare?

Leaving our little ones while we head off to work, or dare we say it, going to do something for ourselves, by ourselves, can feel tricky. We get it. What makes that transition so much easier is  confidently knowing that your child is in a safe and caring environment; a place where their needs are readily met, their connection to their teacher is authentic and they are held in a container of connection that allows them to truly relax, trust and thrive. 

This is home-based childcare. This is Just Like Home.

Just Like Home was founded by Jeanette Fotheringham, a fellow parent who, like many of us, had to navigate the landscape of childcare options for her young son. Finding a solution that intuitively felt right for her and her son brought her to home-based childcare. Witnessing how aligned this style of childcare was for her son, Jeanette began the transition, as an ECE teacher and Curriculum Leader herself, into the work of home-based early childhood care. So here we are. 
ENROL MY CHILD



Poipoia te kakano kia puawai

•

Nurture the seed and it will blossom


What you can expect

Your child’s teacher will take time to create a curriculum that supports their innate motivation to learn through play. In doing so, they will nurture an environment that allows for uninterrupted time and space so your child may develop and deepen social, cognitive and emotional skills through their own interests, in creative and innovative ways. 


Play-Based Learning

Children learn best when they feel free to explore. Our educators create calm, inviting spaces where play can unfold naturally. With time, space and trust, children follow their own ideas, build real skills and discover what they’re capable of. Through open-ended play, they grow creativity, curiosity and the confidence to try again.


Supporting Autonomy

Every child arrives with their own spark, their own ideas, their will, their way of seeing the world. We honour that. Our educators get down on their level, listen closely and encourage even the wild, wonderful ideas that only children can dream up. This kind of affirmation strengthens their sense of self and helps them grow into capable, confident learners.


Encouraging a Love of Learning

Children are born wanting to learn. From reading faces to climbing, creating, problem-solving and joining in with the world around them.  Learning is woven into everything they do. Whether at home, outdoors or out in the community, our educators follow each child’s lead, celebrate who they are and nurture their natural love of learning.


In addition to all of this,

we value ...


  • Children as competent learners.


  • Parents as champions, as first teachers and as the most important people in the life of their child.


  • Kind, passionate, skilled educators.


  • Play as a right and as a key learning pathway in the lives of children.


  • Integrity, respect and ethical behaviour is at the heart of how we work. 


  • Safe learning spaces - mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. 

Finding a Match


Entrusting your child to another is a big decision to make. We really understand. Choosing an educator that you and your child connect to and resonate with is of utmost importance. We promise to make this process as seamless as possible. 


For our part, we spend time getting to know the educators on our team and carefully make selections based on experience, qualifications, prior learning, proven skills and personal attributes. We look for passionate people who love working with children and their families.


Since your child will be in a small group setting, with no more than 4 children to 1 educator at any one time, we can assure you they will receive all the care and cuddles they need to thrive.