YMCA

YMCA Nursery and Preschool Bishopdale

NOTE:  Our fully licenced nursery and preschool currently has some part-time and full-time vacancies in the nursery and preschool.  Free 20 hours ECE applies.  Small numbers and fantastic staff who are committed to providing great care and education for the children. Come on in and see if the YMCA centre at Bishopdale will meet the needs of your child, or phone Dianna or Hannah on 03 3598320.    We have suffered NO damage in the  earthquake and are fully operational. 

The YMCA Bishopdale Nursery and Preschool is a community based not for profit purpose built early childhood centre. The YMCA Values of Caring, Responsibility, Honesty, Respect are implemented throughout our core programme. Our children, Parents and Whanau come first and we strive to provide a welcoming, supportive and loving environment. We have an open door policy which enables our parents and Whanau to spend as much time as they like with us.

We believe active movement is essential and quality physical movement experiences that we provide help develop and enhance the spiritual, emotional, social, cognitive, and physiological growth of the child, as active movement embodies the whole child. We provide a range of activities throughout the year including: gymnastics, dance, Irish dancing, yoga, futsal, baby massage, netball and excursions around Christchurch and the community.

The staff at the childcare centre are committed to the centre and staff retention is excellent. They aim to provide an enriching, open, loving, learning environment which encourages children to work alongside their peers.

What parents have to say:

“There hasn’t been a single day when either of our kids has not wanted to go to the YMCA Nursery and Preschool. They both love it and thrive. All of the staff really care and are enthusiastic and motivated. A bonus has been all of the extra activities they can do. The trips, yoga, gymnastics, Irish dancing etc. Overall, it is just a happy fun environment - the way it should be."
- Jeska McNicol

"Our son attends the nursery at the Bishopdale YMCA Nursery and Preschool. He started 4 months ago and the nursery offer such a loving, caring and nurturing environment. The staff are always so friendly, the one thing that often sticks out is how welcoming the staff are every morning when we arrive at Daycare. The staff always have smiles and they're always so happy to acknowledge us."
- Sarah Booth

"When I first visited the preschool, I was worried about the small space. What sold me was watching the children at afternoon tea time. Ricardo was sitting down with them and getting up to all sorts of shenanigans while the boys around were lapping it up and laughing. I thought to myself: "If I can't be at home with Caleb, this is the the next best thing." And it was. Caleb has flourised under your care and guidance. You have provided him with tools he will carry with him for life. Thank you for looking after him so well. You have all done a fantastic job. Be proud of the teachers you are."
- Keri Steele

Our Vision & Values

The YMCA values are Honesty, Respect, Responsibility and Caring - and these values are evident in all the many diverse areas of our work including childcare. Within childcare this means for staff a fun, nurturing, inclusive and friendly team whose primary passion and motivation at work is to make sure children feel safe, happy and have room to grow and learn in their own individual way.

To read the childcare 'Vision Statement' download a copy here.

To read the letter to parents & community following our most recent Education Review Office audit - download a copy here - or go to www.ero.govt.nz for the full report.

Cost  (as of 11th Jan 2011)

The Centre offers the Government's 20 hours ECE for all children aged 3 years and over.  For further infomation and availability please contact us on the details below.

A $40 non-refundable fee will be required to secure your booking.  This will be deducted from the first week's payment.

We do have some limited scholarship places available.  Please see Management for further details.

For more information about the centre download a brochure here.

Opening Hours

Monday - Friday, 7.30 am - 5.30 pm.

Contact Us

Bishopdale YMCA - 359 8320 or bishopdale@ymcachch.org.nz