Now accepting enrollments for 2024

About Us
Te whare

Get the Little Citizens’ difference for your tamariki/children!

Little Citizens offers exceptional early childhood education for preschool tamariki, making a positive impact that equips children for success in school and beyond.

Our Philosophy 

We are a community of tamariki, whānau and Kaiako guided by the values of whᾱnautakata (reciprocal relationships), manaakitaka (kindness, empathy and caring for others), aroha (love, compassion and empathy) and kaitiakitaka (guardianship of our world).

We recognise each tamariki is a member of other communities, bringing with them their own culture and experiences to the task of working with one another in a fun and engaging learning environment. Our mixed age setting encourages tuakana-teina relationships, where older and younger tamariki learn from one another.

We take pride in establishing and maintaining a nurturing learning environment dedicated to incorporating te reo Māori, tikanga, and cultural experiences. These elements contribute to our journey in becoming a bicultural early learning centre.

He Panonitanga Huanui! Nā te tautoko, nā te werowero ka hua ake tō ao. Change that works: Enough support and challenge for you to risk a better future.

A child wearing a colorful shirt plays a makeshift drum with sticks while sitting on a bench. Two adults sit in the background, one of whom raises a hand.
Two young children with powder on their faces and clothes standing outdoors. One wears a pink top, while the other has a light gray hoodie with a flower headband. A building is in the background.

Celebrating Holi at Little Citizens. This vibrant Hindu festival, celebrated in India, brought us together to enjoy colours, love, and the spirit of spring.

Battery-operated candles set in dough bases decorated with beads and small trinkets are displayed on a table.

Little hands lighting up Diwali, the festival of lights celebrated in India to honour the victory of good over evil.

Two young children wearing patterned shirts and pink jackets are sitting side by side, smiling at the camera with their heads touching. They are indoors, with a window and red chairs in the background.

The centre celebrating Samoan Language Week.

Why choose Little Citizens?

Quality early childhood education

Guided by Te Whāriki, New Zealand Aotearoa’s early childhood curriculum, Little Citizens encourages children to have a strong sense of belonging so they can be confident and capable learners. We tailor our curriculum to each child in consultation with parents/whānau to support children’s development through their interests. Our learning priorities focus on communication, kaitiakitanga and social intelligence.

Convenience and flexibility

Easy drop-off, handy location in South Dunedin with heaps of parking.  We have flexible enrolment with no minimum hours and total support from friendly, dedicated staff. We are open between 7.45am and 5.30pm, Monday to Friday and during school holidays, excluding public holidays and a break over Christmas and New Year.

Physical development

Preschool kids need room to play … lots of room! We have large play areas, with enough space to ride, climb, splash, and slide. Plus, we have large indoor areas that are warm, dry and comfortable all year round.

Low Fees

We offer 20 hours ECE at no additional cost and we have one easy-to-calculate flat rate of $7.45 per hour and most outings are free. We support whānau in applying for childcare subsidies.

Nourishing meals

A yummy breakfast is available to all Little Citizens children, caregivers and siblings every Friday from 7.45am – 8.15am. Caregivers must stay with their children and any siblings until their child’s booked starting time at the centre. Delicious morning and afternoon teas and hot lunches are included at no extra cost.  There is also an option for a hot dinner for those children enrolled later in the afternoons.

Support

Our Taituarā a Hapori/Community Services Specialist provides free support and advocacy to parents and caregivers including behaviour management strategies, help with Work and Income liaison and budget advice.

Nourishing Meals 

Little Citizens offers a delicious menu that includes morning and afternoon teas, along with hot lunches and dinners—all at no additional cost. 

Our meals are carefully created by our onsite Cook to provide nutritionally rich food, to ensure our tamariki have the necessary energy for their ongoing learning and physical development. For added convenience, we provide a hot dinner at 5pm, especially catering to those tamariki enrolled in the afternoons.

We believe that exposing children to a diverse array of colours, textures, and flavours not only fosters healthy eating habits, but also helps those more picky eaters to feel comfortable with trying new foods. Our commitment is to instill an appreciation for various food.

At our center, we switch between two seasonal menus—winter and summer. We also like to create food with the tamariki that celebrates various cultural events. It means we get to make tasty food that reflects the diversity in our centre, making food a flavourful and fun experience for everyone!

Breakfast 

A yummy breakfast is available to all Little Citizens children, caregivers and siblings every Friday from 7.45am – 8.15am. Caregivers must stay with their children and any siblings until their child’s booked starting time at the centre.

Dinner

At Little Citizens, we provide a hot dinner meal for those tamariki enrolled after 5pm, making evenings easier and more relaxed for families around dinner time.

Lunch

Our centre Cook prepares a delicious hot lunch on-site, available from Tuesday to Friday.
On a Monday the Tamariki have yummy sandwiches – In the Kōtuku room, the Tamariki get to create their very own sandwiches (with careful supervision of course!). They are provided with a variety of toppings to ensure everyone is catered for. The Tui Room Tamariki get their own sandwiches while the Kiwi room Tamariki have a hot cooked meal.

Other Meals

Morning tea usually consists of toast, a selection of fresh fruit, milk or water. Afternoon tea and a late snack usually consists of any of the following: a selection of baking (by our own cook), cooked carrot sticks, cheese sticks, dip, water crackers, rice cakes, a selection of fresh vegetables and fruit, water or milk.

Meet The Little Citizens Team

A woman with long dark hair wearing a light yellow shirt stands against a plain white background, smiling at the camera.

Katee Thomas – Kaiwhakahaere Matua – Centre Manager

Kia ora koutou,

Ko Katee Thomas tōku ingoa
Nō Aotearoa ōku tīpuna
Nō Ōtepoti au

My name is Katee Thomas
My ancestors come from New Zealand
I live in Dunedin

I have been in the early childhood sector since 2008, I graduated from Otago University College of Education with a Bachelor of Education (ECE) in 2011 and have worked in a range of different settings and age ranges in Dunedin, Wellington and Tauranga. I believe in fostering manaakitanga and resilience with a play based and relationship focused approached. 

As Kaiwhakaharae Matua /Centre Manager I support kaiako/teacher to be the best they can be and manage the day to day at Little Citizens.

My wee whānau/family keeps me busy in my home life and I love the beach, reading and adventuring.

A person with short, gray-streaked hair and glasses, wearing a floral-patterned shirt and a turquoise necklace, smiles against a plain white background.

Tamara Dixon – Kaiwhakarite  – Administrator

Hi! I’m Tamara Dixon and though I am originally from India I have had the wonderful privilege and opportunity of a multi-cultural upbringing, having lived in several countries in Asia, Africa and North America.

Dunedin, New Zealand, is now home and where I raised my now adult family, after coming to study at the University of Otago.

The importance of education has been instilled in me growing up with two dedicated teachers as my parents and my first Administration job was in an Adult Education setting where I worked with migrants and refugees who were learning English. As a mother who was very much involved in my children’s pre-school and school years, I was keen to become involved in the early childhood sector and I now have that opportunity as Administrator for Little Citizens Early Learning Centre. I enjoy being involved in the local pre-school community and I endeavour to be a positive, welcoming and encouraging influence on the families, children and teachers at the Centre.

Outside of work I love spending time with family and being active. Music, singing and being creative are a huge part of my life as is my involvement in a local church community.

A person with red hair and a light complexion wearing a pink shirt is smiling against a plain white background.

Steph Watson – Kaiako Kōhukahuka Matua – Senior Teacher – Kiwi Room

Tēna koutou katoa
Ko Cargill te maunga
Ko Leith te awa
Nō Ōtepoti ahau
Ko McKenna ratou ko Sawyer ngᾱ tamariki
Ko Stephanie tōku ingoa

Kia Ora, my name is Steph Watson and I have recently started in my new role as Senior Teacher in the Infant and Toddler classroom (Kiwi room) at Little Citizens. I have worked as an Early Childhood Educator for the past seven years and have two of my own children aged 6 and 3. I love working alongside children, watching as their confidence develops and they start to try new experiences, bringing their own unique ideas, knowledge and understandings to the classroom.

A woman with long dark hair and a black shirt stands against a plain white background, smiling. She is wearing a circular pendant necklace.

Kylie Preedy – Kaiako Kōhukahuka Matua – Senior Teacher – Kōtuku Room

Kia Ora Koutou
Ko Te Poho o Tamatea te maunga
Ko Mata-Au te awa
Nō Otepoti au
Tokorua āku tamāhine
Ko Kylie tōku ingoa

Kia Ora my name is Kylie Preedy and I have been teaching for over 20 years with many of these being here as part of the Little Citizens family.  In this time, I have taught across all areas of the centre.I am currently teaching in the Kōtuku room with our amazing 3 ½ – 5 year olds tamariki as the Senior teacher within the room alongside some amazing teachers. I believe in providing an environment where everyone feels valued and has the opportunity to learn at their own pace. Supporting children with their developing social competencies and self-regulation skills is a passion of mine. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family where we enjoy going boating and relaxing at the river.

A woman with shoulder-length curly hair smiles at the camera, wearing a black top against a plain white background.

Emilie Mellor – Kaiako Kōhukahuka Matua – Senior Teacher – Tui Room

Tēnā koutou
Ko Ruahine te maunga
Whakaruruhau ki ahau
Ko Manawatū te awa o te rohe
Nō Ōtepoti tōku kainga inaianei
Ko Emilie tōku ingoa.

Kia ora, I’m Emilie.

I am passionate about igniting curiosity and creativity in young minds.

During my career, I have taught in Aotearoa and abroad in a variety of settings including Early Childhood, Primary and Montessori and Parent Education. 

Building strong connections is at the heart of my approach. I believe in fostering warm, trusting and respectful relationships with tamariki, their whānau, colleagues, and the wider community.

This collaborative approach ensures each child feels supported to pursue a lifelong love of learning that extends beyond their early years.

A person with shoulder-length hair and wearing tortoiseshell glasses, a black top, and a light denim jacket is standing against a plain white background.

Suzy Swanson-Dobbs – Taituarā a Hāpori – Community Services Specialist

Ko Suzy Swanson-Dobbs tōku ingoa
Nō Tenemāka, Kōtirana, Ingarani tōku tīpuna
Nō Ōtepoti au

My name is Suzy Swanson-Dobbs
My ancestors come from Denmark, Scotland and England
I live in Dunedin

My role is to support whānau here at Little Citizens in whatever way possible. The role is flexible so if you think there’s a way that I might be able to assist you please get in touch, even if it’s just for a chat! I look forward to getting to know you and your whānau.
I have lived in Ōtepoti since 2021 and absolutely love it here.

Enquire about enrolments now