More Nature.
More Play.

Children playing outdoors at Country Wonders childcare centre in Loburn
Nature-based preschool activities at Country Wonders in North Canterbury
Children working in a garden bed at Country Wonders Preschool
Group of young children gathered playing with water at Country Wonders Early Learning Centre
Play button for Country Wonders Preschool Website

LITTLE BOOTS. BIG ADVENTURES.

A nurturing space for growing minds, surrounded by open air, natural play, and everyday adventure. Where muddy hands spark imagination, and learning unfolds through play.

Young girl holding a rabbit outdoors at Country Wonders childcare centre in Loburn, North Canterbury

Haere Mai / Welcome

Our vision is to create a home away from home where tamariki feel safe, secure and truly themselves.

We are a country-based early learning centre in Loburn, North Canterbury, for children aged 0–6, offering a warm, nurturing environment where tamariki can learn, grow, and thrive.

We nurture each child within a natural environment that encourages imagination, curiosity, and a sense of wonder.

Children patting sheep during nature-based learning at Country Wonders preschool in Loburn near Rangiora

Close to Town,
a World Away

Just 7 minutes from Rangiora, our Loburn setting offers the best of both worlds. Easy for parents, peaceful for little ones.

Children running an obstacle course at Country Wonders childcare centre in Loburn, North Canterbury

Room to Roam
& Be Kids

Wide open spaces, fresh air, and freedom to explore. The kind of childhood that’s muddy, curious, and full of wonder.

Fresh homecooked meals prepared daily at Country Wonders childcare centre in Loburn

Nourishing Home
Cooked Meals

All meals and snacks are prepared fresh each day, keeping little bodies fuelled with wholesome, hearty food.

Two girls picking flowers during outdoor play at Country Wonders preschool in Loburn, North Canterbury

Small, Personal
& Nurturing

A close-knit environment where every child is known, supported, and encouraged to grow at their own pace.

Nursery child enjoying water play at Country Wonders childcare centre in Loburn near Rangiora

NURSERY 0 - 2 YRS

A gentle start for your little one

A calm, nurturing space where babies and toddlers are cared for with warmth and intention. We follow each child’s rhythm, creating a strong sense of safety as they begin to explore.

  • Our nursery is a calm, nurturing environment designed especially for our youngest tamariki. With a low child-to-teacher ratio, we’re able to provide responsive, one-on-one care that supports each child’s individual rhythm and needs.

    The space is warm, peaceful, and thoughtfully set up to feel like a home away from home. Soft textures, natural elements, and quiet areas create a sense of security, while gentle sensory experiences invite curiosity and early exploration.

    Outdoors, our nursery connects to our wider natural environment, allowing even our youngest children to experience fresh air, nature, and the changing seasons in a safe and supported way.

  • We take a respectful, relationship-based approach to care, where strong, trusting connections between kaiako, tamariki, and whānau are at the heart of everything we do.

    Each child is seen as capable and unique. We follow their cues, support their developing independence, and respond with warmth, patience, and consistency. Routines are flexible and guided by each child’s needs, ensuring they feel safe, understood, and secure.

    We place a strong emphasis on communication with whānau, working in partnership to ensure continuity between home and centre. This helps create a seamless and reassuring experience for both children and their families.

  • Each day in the nursery flows gently, guided by the individual rhythms of our children rather than a fixed schedule.

    Moments of care such as feeding, sleeping, and changing are unhurried and meaningful, providing opportunities for connection and communication. In between, children are free to explore, play, and engage with their surroundings at their own pace.

    You’ll often find our pēpi enjoying sensory play, spending time outdoors, listening to music, or simply observing the world around them. These everyday experiences lay the foundation for learning, development, and a growing sense of belonging.

Preschool children doing a hands-on learning experiment at Country Wonders in North Canterbury

PRESCHOOL 2 - 6 YRS

Growing Confident, Curious Learners

A space to explore, create, and grow, where curiosity leads and learning unfolds through play. Surrounded by nature, children build confidence and independence every day.

  • Our preschool offers a rich, engaging environment where children are encouraged to explore, create, and grow with confidence. Both our indoor and outdoor spaces are thoughtfully designed to support curiosity, independence, and a strong connection to the natural world.

    Children have access to a wide range of resources and experiences, from open-ended play and creative exploration to opportunities that challenge and extend their thinking. Our outdoor environment plays a big role in daily life, giving tamariki the freedom to move, discover, and connect with nature.

  • We take a holistic, child-led approach that supports each child’s development socially, emotionally, and cognitively. Our kaiako create a supportive and responsive environment where children feel confident to take risks, express themselves, and build meaningful relationships.

    There is a strong focus on preparing children for their next step, with gentle support around independence, confidence, and social skills. We also maintain close connections with whānau, working together to ensure each child feels secure, capable, and ready for the transition ahead.

  • Each day in the preschool is a balance of structured opportunities and free play, allowing children to follow their interests while also being guided through meaningful learning experiences.

    You’ll find children engaged in a mix of indoor and outdoor play, creative activities, group experiences, and moments of quiet connection. Time outdoors is a key part of the day, supporting both physical development and a deeper connection to the environment.

    As children grow in confidence, they begin to take on more responsibility, build friendships, and develop the skills that support a smooth and positive transition into school.

Parent Information

We’ve gathered all the important details here to help you feel informed and at ease. From fees and policies to daily rhythms and opening hours, it’s everything you need to know as you get started.

  • Country Wonders offers 20 hours free for all children 3 years and older not receiving 20 hours free elsewhere. Maximum 6 hours per day. Outside of the 20 hours free our fee schedule is as follows:

    Over 2 years: $7 per hour
    Under 2 years: $7.50 per hour

    A childcare subsidy may be available from Work and Income NZ (Please ask at the office for further information) Fees are payable within 7 days of invoice, by means of internet or automatic payment.

  • We are pleased to include in this price the supply of all nappies, wipes, milk/formula and early and late snacks.

  • Storypark & Online access to your child’s learning journey.

    Not only can you view your child’s learning journey in their printed profile folder, but you can also securely access learning stories, photos, videos, and community posts online. We will send you an email link to get you logged on. There is also an App for you to download so you can keep up to date with what your child/children are up to during their time at preschool.

    https://nz.storypark.com/

  • The education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008, The licencing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care in Centres, and a procedure you can follow if you believe we are non-compliance with the regulations in any way, can all be found displayed in the foyer along with our centre philosophy and budget. You can find our latest Education Review Office report on www.ero.govt.nz.

    Each year our centre policies are reviewed by our teaching team, this is something we encourage our whānau/families to become a part of by sharing these with you over Storypark.

    We would love your feedback and contributed ideas to help create policies that are meaningful to our families and local community and best suited to our tamariki. If you would like to be more involved in any way within our centre please reach out.

  • Our opening hours are:

    Monday to Friday
    7:30 AM – 5.30 PM

    • We offer a 10% discount for siblings.

    • Booked holidays are at 50% with 2 weeks’ notice.

    • If your child is absent there will be a 100% charge in all age groups to keep your enrolment secure.

    • No fees are charged for statutory holidays or any closing over the Christmas period (If any).

    • A named drink bottle

    • We provide home-cooked meals daily

    • Lots of spare clothes (We love to get messy)

    • Gumboots and a coat in winter

    • Sun hat in summer

    • Anything special for sleep or comfort

    • A readiness to have fun!!

  • It is our utmost importance to ensure all our tamariki and Kaiako are kept safe from harm if your child appears obviously unwell and therefore at risk of getting worse or infecting others you may be asked to take them home or phoned throughout the day.

    • In no circumstances would we accept a child suffering from a contagious or infectious disease.

    • If your child comes down unwell during their time with us, they will be monitored closely, and you/emergency contact will be called. We will document any temperatures and records of illness for you to sign.

    • No child can return to Country Wonders until 48 hours after the last bout of vomiting, diarrhoea or raised temperature.

    • Please inform us if your child has an allergy or special health requirements so we can insure the best safest care and that plans are in place.

    • If your child did have a serious accident/allergic reaction and we believe they require immediate medical attention, we will call an ambulance.

    • If prescribed medicine is required for your child to have while in attendance, please see a teacher and fill out the appropriate medication form. (Medication needs to be prescribed to that child and have correct dosage amounts stated.)

    • Please let us know if your child won’t be in attendance due to sickness or being unwell

  • Click here to download our enrolment form.

  • Please feel free to pop in to our centre at any time or if you’d like to schedule a visit please contact Mel:

    mel@countrywonders.co.nz
    021 748 435

Meet Our Kaiako

Our Kaiako/teachers are chosen for their dedication and experience, to provide a warm, caring, and supportive environment for families/whānau.

  • "We feel truly grateful every day we send our daughter to Country Wonders. Mel and the staff are fantastic and we know that our daughter is receiving the best care possible."

    Holly

  • "Such a warm welcoming and natural environment Country Wonders is for our kids you couldn’t want anything better."

    Preschool Parent

  • "I love how my child is excited to get to preschool in the morning it just shows how fantastic country wonders really is. He has grown wonderful bonds with his teachers which has made it a smooth transition for us."

    Preschool Parent

  • "Having my child come home excited to tell me all the wonderful things he has done through the day is fantastic it just shows how everyone at Country Wonders makes such a great impression on our children."

    Preschool Parent

  • "Mel and the amazing teachers at Country Wonders create a warm, friendly environment filled with fun, learning and new experiences. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this centre to families, it’s a truly special place."

    Lally

  • "A beautiful, enriching environment with fantastic indoor and outdoor opportunities to explore and learn. Strong links to the neighbouring school make the transition easy, our children are flourishing here."

    Wendy

Get in touch

Phone: 021 748 435

Email: mel@countrywonders.co.nz

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 5.30pm