Where little hearts grow wings: Pegasus Nest
A thriving new preschool in North Canterbury is inviting local families to discover what makes it special during an open day on 4 July.
Responding to rapid growth in Pegasus and increasing demand for quality early childhood education, a new preschool is helping local children build confidence, curiosity and a love of learning from the very start.
Following the success of its sister school Pegasus Haven, Pegasus Nest opened in December 2025 as the second preschool in the area operated by Te Waipounamu Education. Owner Juanita Cootes, who has spent nearly 20 years in early childhood education, says the centre was built around a vision of creating an inspiring environment where children can flourish. Having previously managed 12 centres for another provider, Juanita now owns and operates eight other preschools from Christchurch to Timaru and Dunedin.
“Everything in our latest centre is handpicked to inspire children’s curiosity and invite them to play, explore and learn,” she says. “Our teaching team believes in the most respectful and beautiful practices with children, creating a place where they feel safe, valued and confident.”
Pegasus Nest’s motto, ‘Where little hearts grow wings and imagination takes flight,’ reflects its philosophy of nurturing capable, independent learners. Juanita says the children who enrolled when the centre opened are already thriving. “It’s incredibly important to us that children leave for school feeling confident, well prepared and excited about the next step in their learning journey,” she says.
Families are invited to attend the open day on 4 July to meet the teaching team, explore the facilities and learn more about the centre’s approach to early childhood education. For more information, see the website or the Facebook page.
