Getting started
Find a kindergarten – Explore our centres and discover a kindergarten that's right for your child and whānau.
Visit the kindergarten – Come and spend some time with us, meet our teachers, and see our learning spaces in action.
Complete the enrolment form – When you’ve found the right kindergarten for your child, simply complete the enrolment form and we’ll guide you through the next steps.
Begin your journey – We’ll work together to plan your child’s start date and support a smooth, happy transition.
20 Hours Free ECE
All our kindergartens offer 20 Hours ECE, subsided by the Ministry of Education, which helps reduce the cost of attendance for children aged three and over. These hours can be used for up to 6 hours per day and 20 hours per week.
There may still be fees or whānau contributions if your child attends beyond the funded hours or if additional services, activities, or resources are provided.
What to expect (FAQs)
As soon as you're considering kindergarten, so we can play together
Due to the popularity of our kindergartens, some services may operate a wait list. We encourage whānau to enrol their child as early as possible to help us plan for future places.
Being on a wait list does not guarantee an immediate place; however, it allows us to stay in contact with whānau as spaces become available. We believe that every child should have the opportunity to attend a kindergarten prior to starting school so places are offered based on availability, age eligibility and start date preferences.
Children can begin attending our kindergartens from 2 years of age. We welcome younger tamariki into our warm, nurturing environments, where they can build relationships, explore, and grow at their own pace. If you’d like to learn more about starting at age 2, our team is happy to help.
To help your child feel comfortable and prepared, please pack:
- A lunchbox and drink bottle - named and easy for your child to open.
- Spare clothes - kindergarten play can be wonderfully messy (water, paint, mud!).
- A sunhat and warm layers - New Zealand weather changes quickly, and we play outdoors in most conditions.
Please name everything to help teachers (and tiny humans!) keep belongings together.
We welcome all tamariki and are committed to inclusive practice. Our teachers work closely with whānau and, where appropriate, external specialists to support each child’s strengths, learning needs, and sense of belonging.
The move to primary school is an exciting and natural next step. Throughout their time with us, tamariki develop the confidence, independence, and foundational skills that help them feel prepared for school. Our daily programme weaves in early literacy, numeracy, problem solving, communication, and social skills, aligning with the New Zealand Curriculum.
We maintain strong relationships with local primary schools; many kindergartens take part in visits or shared activities so children can become familiar with school environments in a safe, supported way. Our team partners with whānau, offering guidance, organising school visits, and sharing information so tamariki leave kindergarten confident, capable, and ready for their next adventure.
We encourage a settling‑in period where whānau can stay with their child to help them adjust. We recommend at least three visits before their first booked day, but every child is different. There is no rush, we will work alongside you to find the best approach, ensuring plenty of time to get to know their kaiako and build a positive, trusting relationship.
We encourage families to talk with their kindergarten team to discuss what hours best support their child’s wellbeing and learning.
We take a thoughtful, child‑centred approach to transitions, whether moving between sessions, rooms, or on to school. Our teachers work closely with tamariki and whānau to build familiarity, confidence, and strong relationships, ensuring each transition is supported and unhurried.
