New Shoots Children's Centre - Hillcrest

About New Shoots Children's Centre - Hillcrest
About Education & Care Service
Education & Care Services are mainstream early learning centres that offer full-day or part-day care with a structured curriculum, qualified teachers, and a focus on learning through play. They cater to families needing flexible childcare options and wanting a balanced approach that supports social, physical, and early academic development in a diverse environment.
What Is 20 Hours ECE funding?
20 Hours ECE is a government-funded initiative that helps reduce the cost of early childhood education for families with tamariki aged 3–5. Eligible children can receive up to 20 hours of funded care and education each week at participating services. Centres can set their own enrolment patterns and may ask for optional charges, but the funded hours themselves should be free of compulsory fees. If you are unsure how this works at New Shoots Children's Centre - Hillcrest, it is best to ask the centre directly how they apply 20 Hours ECE.
Community Profile
Roll & age distribution
New Shoots Children's Centre - Hillcrest currently has a roll of 137 children tamariki , with most children enrolled in the 0–5 years age band.
Ethnicity profile
European tamariki are the largest group (54% of the roll), alongside māori, pacific, asian, other children.
Roll and demographic figures are based on data supplied by the Ministry of Education and were last updated on 01/07/2024.
Parent Reviews
“My little one has been at this wonderful centre for almost a year and we couldn't be happier! The teachers and administration are truly world-class, with exceptional communication skills that are both professional and reassuring to parents. I especially want to highlight centre director Jaimee, whose outstanding management and communication skills have made all the difference. She consistently shows genuine care and support for our child's individual needs while embracing our entire family. Her dedication and compassion are remarkable. This centre has become like a second home for us. We feel incredibly blessed to be part of such a caring community. Highly recommend to any parent looking for exceptional childcare!”
“We’ve had the best experience with New Shoots Hillcrest over the last 4 and a half years. I can confidently say my child’s care, development and safety has been made a priority from the beginning and I have truly felt supported and involved through our journey. We are so grateful that we have got to be a part of the NSH family and look forward to watching the centre grow over the coming years! ❤️”
“We couldn’t be happier with our experience at New Shoots Hillcrest! From the moment we enrolled our little one, we’ve felt completely at ease knowing they are in such caring, capable hands. Communication has been absolutely outstanding. We receive regular updates, photos, and detailed feedback about our child’s day, which gives us such peace of mind. The team is always approachable and quick to respond to any questions or concerns, making us feel like true partners in our child’s care. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed and developmentally appropriate, blending play-based learning with just the right amount of structure. We’ve seen such growth in our child’s confidence, language, and social skills since starting here. We love how much family involvement is encouraged. Whether it’s special activities, celebrations, or just open communication, it really feels like a community that values every family, child and culture. The meals provided are nutritious, varied, and tailored to little ones’ needs. It’s such a relief knowing our child is eating well-balanced food every day—and even trying new things, hats off to chef Jody! The entire team is incredible. Warm, attentive, patient, and passionate, each staff member genuinely cares about the wellbeing and development of every child. Their positive energy and nurturing nature set the tone for such a loving environment that encourages growth for the little ones. We feel so lucky to have found such a special place. New Shoots Hillcrest has become an extension of our family, and we’re endlessly grateful for everything they do.”
“We’ve been so happy with New Shoots Hillcrest since the day my son started there when they first opened. It’s been amazing to watch him grow and move through all the different rooms, and celebrating his “graduation” was such a proud moment for us. It’s clear they genuinely care about the kids and really focus on helping them thrive. What I love most is how they’ve grown and changed over the years — they’re always looking for ways to get better and put families first. Whenever I’ve had any worries or questions, they’ve listened, taken them seriously, and always kept the lines of communication open. It’s not always easy having those conversations, but I’ve always felt heard and respected. Most importantly, I feel like New Shoots has really prepared my son emotionally for school, which was way more important to me than just learning to write his name. They focus on building his confidence, independence, and social skills — all the things that really matter for his next chapter. The outdoor area is fantastic — the kids absolutely love it! There are so many fun spots to jump, climb, and balance, and it’s all in a safe environment. I love that they can climb trees and feel different textures — it’s such a good way for them to explore and connect with nature. All in all, I highly recommend New Shoots Hillcrest. It’s a caring, friendly place that keeps getting better. I’m so grateful for how they’ve helped my son grow.”
“Our son has been at this daycare for 6 months and we’re so grateful for the care he receives. The environment is beautiful, and the teachers are truly exceptional — warm, dedicated, and deeply committed to doing their best for each child. As an educator myself, I know how hard it is to balance care, expectations, and personal connection, and they do it with so much heart. No one is perfect, but what stands out is their willingness to listen, take on ideas about our son’s routine, and thoughtfully adapt it within the realities of group care. It’s a special place and we feel lucky to be part of it.”
Interested?
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Getting ready for daycare?
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