Our Story

Having identified a demand for high quality childcare, Gemma and Mike Smith created a purpose built early childhood education facility to meet the needs of their community. They opened it in Lake Hayes Estate, Queenstown in 2012 and called it Little Rockets (Educare).

They created a ‘natural environment’, a ‘home away from home’ that families, staff and children enjoy and want to be a part of. A place where children have a strong sense of belonging and form lasting and meaningful relationships with friends and teachers.

Inspired by the theories of Pikler and Reggio where the environment is the third teacher, they believe that children will develop as independent thinkers and learners through a play based programme where children are free to explore, socialise, communicate and investigate. In other words, a “natural start in life”.

It is more than stories and sandpits, and includes a unique farm school, and a kitchen garden where the children grow the food they eat.

The Kitchen philosophy is based on ‘Grandma’s Kitchen’ where everything is prepared from scratch, good old nutritious home-style food! Lunches are usually cooked, taking pressure off families at the end of the day. See our Sample Menu for a taste!

Our Mission

“We provide authentic and wholesome educational childcare in a beautiful, natural environment, with the convenience and benefits of nourishing food produced on site. Our child-led, emergent education curriculum is facilitated through a fun, outdoorsy, creative and committed team of educators. We aim to bring out the best of everyone we are involved with... especially the children in our care.”