About Us
At SCRATCHPAD we believe that understanding the ‘language of technology’ is a key life skill to unleashing innovation, creativity and to secure our kid’s future. We turn passion into purpose through teaching kids (and grown-ups) the foundations in coding, robotics, electronics and 3D design and printing.
With after-school, weekend, virtual classes and even school holiday programs, SCRATCHPAD caters for all Kiwi kids.
SCRATCHPAD is supported by a Board of Advisors who each has in-depth expertise and work experience in information technology and education. Our programs are delivered by our centre supervisors who all have relevant hands-on experience and are passionate about working with children. We strive to bring out the creativity of our learners and help kids grow in confidence as they develop critical life skills as they transform from users of technology to become creators of technology.
Why should your child learn to Code?
Learning to code is one of the best ways to prepare your child for the future. It helps your child develop academic skills along with critical life skills like organisation, perseverance and problem solving.
Coding improves your child’s academic performance – It has been proven that learning to code improves math skills.
Coding develops important life skills – As your child starts to write code, they develop life skills like focus, organisation, perseverance, logical thinking and confidence as well as learning to work with others.
Coding prepares your child for the future – It won’t come as a surprise that our children will be living in a world that is more technology rich than ever before. It is predicted that there will be more technology jobs but not enough people with the right skills.
Children learn to become creators of technology and can turn their passion into purpose.
Youngsters will also learn that technology is there to help them and not get lost in a world of anti-social behaviour.
We have children from all walks of life learning at SCRATCHPAD, from gifted kids to autistic learners, kids with ADHD or aspergers, as parents have found that technology learning helps kids focus and enable them to learn at their own pace.
SCRATCHPAD works closely with Autism NZ to understand and support the kids.
Physical environment
SCRATCHPAD Learning Centres are located at St Lukes, Botany, Albany, Northcote and Stonefields. Our learning centres are designed to be fun and bright, with friendly staff that understand how to work with kids and treat them as individuals. Parking is available at all our premises.
Not based in Auckland or not close to one of our centres? Not a problem!
Through our innovative Virtual Classrooms, we can bring the same SCRATCHPAD Centre learning experience to wherever you are. Our virtual classroom provides an online classroom that allows students to communicate with the supervisors, view presentations, interact with other participants, ask questions and engage with other resources.
Atmosphere
Our learning environment is unique. Courses are structured to be flexible and kids can join at any time during the year, programme level is determined by skill and not by age. Communication with parents and caregivers is important to us therefore we make sure they can access their child’s progress report and receive regular feedback.
You’re invited to join us at our Open Day or signup now for a free trial at www.scratchpad.co.nz
Services
Coding For Kids includes Minecraft Modding, Python, Java, C++, HTML/CSS, Android Apps/Games Development, Website Designing, Unity 3D, Roblox Programming, Artificial Intelligence, Graphic Designing.
With coding, children learn logical thinking and analytical skills as the basis for more complex problem solving skills as they progress through the course. Skills learnt are revisited in each course while diving deeper each time, achieving mastery on the way.
Robotics & Electronics includes MBOT, Edison, Self-Balancing Robots, Lego Boost, Arduino, Raspberry Pi.
Design, build and program a real robot using sensors, controllers and actuators. Kids will learn science, maths and technology disciplines including machine learning, artificial intelligence, design and engineering. The only limit here is your child’s imagination!
3D Design and Printing – Our 3D printing course will help children learn how to design, create and model a variety of objects and export them for 3D printing. These objects can also include parts for their own customised robot.
The courses above are run as weekend sessions, after school programmes and virtual classes.
Virtual Classes – If you’re not based in Auckland, don’t worry! Our virtual classroom provides an online classroom that allows students to communicate with the supervisors, view presentations, interact with other participants, ask questions and engage with other resources. We bring the classroom to you!
Parent and Child Sessions includes Website Development, Android Game Development, Python, Java, Robotics and more.
This programme has been created for parents to spend quality time with their kids, as they both explore at their own pace and gain new skills together. A great way to connect with
your kids! Choose from a variety of courses in Website development, Android game development, Python, Java, Robotics and more.
School Holiday Programmes – Our school holiday programmes will give your children a chance to try many of our exciting programmes like Minecraft Modding, Roblox, Coding and many more. You can book for as many days as you would like, and we offer discounts for these programmes.
Services
Coding For Kids includes Minecraft Modding, Python, Java, C++, HTML/CSS, Android Apps/Games Development, Website Designing, Unity 3D, Roblox Programming, Artificial Intelligence, Graphic Designing.
With coding, children learn logical thinking and analytical skills as the basis for more complex problem solving skills as they progress through the course. Skills learnt are revisited in each course while diving deeper each time, achieving mastery on the way.
Robotics & Electronics includes MBOT, Edison, Self-Balancing Robots, Lego Boost, Arduino, Raspberry Pi.
Design, build and program a real robot using sensors, controllers and actuators. Kids will learn science, maths and technology disciplines including machine learning, artificial intelligence, design and engineering. The only limit here is your child’s imagination!
3D Design and Printing – Our 3D printing course will help children learn how to design, create and model a variety of objects and export them for 3D printing. These objects can also include parts for their own customised robot.
The courses above are run as weekend sessions, after school programmes and virtual classes.
Virtual Classes – If you’re not based in Auckland, don’t worry! Our virtual classroom provides an online classroom that allows students to communicate with the supervisors, view presentations, interact with other participants, ask questions and engage with other resources. We bring the classroom to you!
Parent and Child Sessions includes Website Development, Android Game Development, Python, Java, Robotics and more.
This programme has been created for parents to spend quality time with their kids, as they both explore at their own pace and gain new skills together. A great way to connect with
your kids! Choose from a variety of courses in Website development, Android game development, Python, Java, Robotics and more.
School Holiday Programmes – Our school holiday programmes will give your children a chance to try many of our exciting programmes like Minecraft Modding, Roblox, Coding and many more. You can book for as many days as you would like, and we offer discounts for these programmes.
“Scratchpad gives kids the chance to develop skills that they don’t get the chance to learn elsewhere. We have found the programme to be structured to build skills in a systematic way, while still letting them choose which direction they want to take their coding next, and have lots of fun.” -Natalie
“My Children thoroughly enjoyed the SCRATCHPAD experience. It encourages ‘thinking outside the square’, and the benefits from doing so could be seen to improve reading, writing and mathematics at school.” -Debra
“My son is enjoying his virtual Scratchpad lessons. After each week’s lesson, he is excited to tell us the new concepts and skills he’s learnt. We’ve enjoyed seeing the results of his efforts and have been impressed with the projects he has made. The logical thinking skills he is learning to complete tasks and problem solve is also helping him in other areas of his schooling.” -Craig
“The SCRATCHPAD staff are so caring and very friendly in approach. We find the courses at SCRATCHPAD very informative and think they’re creating a good future for children.” -Katsuri
“Rather than spending time on games this is such a creative tool that our four and five year old’s look forward to going to every week. We are so pleased as parents and would highly recommend for kids to explore this educational tool.” -Andrew and Ivy
SCRATCHPAD featuring on Seven Sharp News: