- 09 418 2770
- manager@minimee.co.nz
- 6 Bank Street, Hillcrest, Auckland 0627, New Zealand
About Us
Welcome to Minimee Early Childhood Education Adventure
Minimee is in Hillcrest/Birkenhead with the facilities created out of a Villa that was fully renovated; substantially and tastefully added to; to create a warm, inviting, and homely environment.
Our amazing team of dedicated and passionate teachers are supported by amazing facilities. The Centre was carefully designed to create separate areas to provide age-appropriate learning with each area that is open, private, and with flowing integration. Our beautiful rooms open out to adventurously landscaped, private yet sheltered, sunny outdoors that are perfect playgrounds for children.
My Mini Me
In this place where love and laughter meet,
I hear the sound of many pattering feet.
But one pair stands out above the rest—
They belong to me; I am their nest.
In this space, your home away from home,
I know you will never feel truly alone.
Your teachers guide, your friendships grow,
A sea of love that continues to flow.
Little spirits bloom, as they explore and play,
Each child's personality shaping the day.
And when I'm absent, I need not fear
For your teachers nurture heart and mind, my dear
I treasure our differences; to me, you shine,
As you become who you are, you are still mine.
From birth to old age, wherever you may be,
You'll always be my little mini-me.
Centre Philosophy
Welcome to Minimee, a centre we are proud to call a “home-away-from-home” for children and teachers alike. Our main aim is to embed a love of life-long learning in children and to ensure whānau feel respected and included in our centre.
At Minimee we believe children learn through reciprocal relationships, where teachers and children learn side by side. Our resources motivate children to form their own working theories, which promote skills in inquiry research that will help with future learning. We provide an inclusive environment where all children can discover and enjoy learning in their own sequence and at their own pace. Children are supported to grow into capable and confident learners in mind, body, and spirit.
Our teaching practice is also inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach where the environment is considered the third teacher. To support this approach we have curated well-resourced indoor and outdoor settings. We support a variety of artistic mediums, from working with clay and beadwork, to chalk drawings and paintings, and music. We have also created a designated calm/reading area where children can regulate their emotions or enjoy a calm moment to themselves.
Our teachers build strong nurturing relationships and hold a great respect for all children and their respective whānau. We provide a safe, inclusive environment and aspire for children to feel a strong sense of love and security. The teachers at Minimee believe in building strong relationships with tamariki and whānau to create an environment where empowerment, love, nurturing, and growth come naturally. At Minimee we also celebrate and embrace children’s culture and home languages. We work alongside children and families to enable and encourage children’s healthy growth and development.
In our practice we implement and appreciate the four guiding principles of Te Whāriki: Empowerment, Holistic Development, Relationships and Community. These are displayed in our practice, relationships, and environment. Tangata whenua hold a special place for us at Minimee and we are building our ties with the community around us to uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Parent Feedback
MiniMee has become our second home and my daughter loves her days spent here playing, learning and connecting with her teachers and peers. We have felt the staff so approachable and friendly with attentiveness and individual care set to a very high standard. As a parent I am so happy to have found a centre where I feel my child is safe and also happy to be.
- Olivia Meek (Isla’s mummy)
Everyone knows how precious the first baby is, and how hard it is to separate from him/her and get back to work before he/she turns 1. The manager and staff at Minimee have been fantastic to support all three of us over this transition period making it as smooth and enjoyable as possible for our baby and for us. Our baby settled in very well and in a very short time. The teachers are outstanding, they proactively want to understand the personality and the needs of every child from day 1 to best support their development. They truly care for each child's happiness and wellbeing. I breathe a joyful atmosphere when walking into the class, everytime I wish I could just sit and stay for the day.
- Marta (Leonardo’s mummy)
Minimee is our daughters home away from home which is important to us knowing that she is getting the care and support she needs to flourish into who she wants to be. The teachers are like an extension of our antenatal coffee group, I can ask them questions and get great tips and tricks in helping navigate being parents and supporting the development of our happy girl. Each day at drop off our daughter is welcomed with open arms and big smiles. I couldn't recommend Minimee enough and I feel so grateful knowing my daughter is well looked after every day by her teachers and her little friends.
- Kristy and Rob (Ella's parents)
From the moment we stepped into Minimee we felt so welcomed by Monisha and all the team. Our son felt so confident and comfortable right from his first day, he didn't even say goodbye! The support and relationship the staff make with the parents is amazing too.
- Jessy and Mitch (Wolfgang's Mum)
We moved our 3.5 year old daughter to Minimee from elsewhere and were a little bit apprehensive about how the change would go, but the transition could not have been more perfect. The environment is so welcoming and teachers are affectionate and engaged. Our daughter now often does not want to leave at the end of the day and asks to go on the weekend, as she loves her Minimee.
- Kim and Ryan (Skylar's mum)
I have nothing but great things to say about Minimee! It really is a home away from home and the staff have been so wonderful in making my daughter comfortable and feel so loved from day one. Thank you all for being so caring and so patient, it really does reflect in the children's happiness and eagerness to attend the centre! Can't recommend this place enough.
- Namita and Sashi (Aevah's parents)
We were nervous about leaving our child anywhere, but as soon we walked into Minimee we knew it was the right place for us. The day we got the phone call to say our place was confirmed we cried tears of joy. Our son started at 10 months old and has settled in quickly. He has formed an incredible bond with the teachers and goes to them with open arms at morning drop off. We get regular photos and updates about what he has been doing, it's always exciting to see those photos come through. The owner operator Monisha is very approachable and is an excellent communicator, we have never once felt like we were annoying for ringing to check on how he is doing. The in-house chef Unaiza prepares yummy nutritional lunches and snacks everyday, we wish she made our lunch too! Minimee is such a lovely centre with a real family feel. We are so grateful to have our son with Monisha and her team, we know he is getting all the love and attention he needs while we are at work.