Childcare options in Hokitika

Nestled in the heart of the residential zone, Active Explorers Hokitika has a dedicated team of teachers who are passionate about providing quality care for our whanau and community. Our warm and welcoming centre has vibrant spaces that nurture and engage, with separate rooms specially designed for each age and stage.  Big on sustainability, we are on a journey to becoming an award-winning Enviroschool, and love the meaningful learning experiences this provides for our tamariki.

If you are looking for the ultimate start for your child, come and visit us at Active Explorers Hokitika.

Why choose us?

There are a host of reasons why families choose Active Explorers Hokitika. Here are just a few of them:

• Conveniently located in the heart of Hokitika’s residential area, close to local schools
• Purpose-built, well established centre
• We’re part of the Enviroschools programme and have a keen focus on becoming environmentally sustainable (and have implemented initiatives such as recycling practices, composting and gardening)
• Separate rooms to cater for different ages and stages
• Separate dining room
• We create a home-like environment, and use real plates, glasses and crockery
• Multicultural environment
• Cool outdoor playground that reflects our West Coast environment, including a native forest that the children have been building and planting
• Strong links with our local community (e.g. We often help fundraise for local charities)
• Yearly Matariki celebrations
• Family events held each term

Our Rooms

Active Explorers Hokitika has three separate rooms, enabling us to deliver age appropriate experiences for children at each different age and stage.

Ruma Kowhai

Our nursery caters for our under two’s and provides a warm, calm and respectful environment that follows each child’s individual home routine. Staff are highly experienced, and we have excellent teacher to child ratios.

Whare Ako

This is the playing and learning classroom for our 2 to 5 year olds. The environment is vibrant and engaging, allowing tamariki to explore and enquire at their own pace. Daily rituals encourage the children to take part in real experiences and increase their independence.

Whare Kai

It’s great to have a dedicated dining space for our tamariki as it means if they are in the middle of creating an amazing work of art, they don’t have to pack everything up at meal times! Eating here is just like eating at home – we use real crockery, plates and glasses.

Harper Park Early learning Centre is a Family owned, Purpose built Early Childhood Education Centre in Hokitika.

Kidsfirst Kindergartens Hokitika provides an engaging and exploratory environment for children to learn and play. The indoor spaces offer a variety of areas for quiet, creative, and imaginative activities, allowing learning to happen at each child's individual pace. The beautiful backyard features green grass, climbing trees, gardens, and specially designed equipment to support physical development, where children can freely choose and learn to use real resources while developing skills in managing risk and making safe choices. With a focus on freedom, connection, and play-based learning, children at the kindergarten engage with their environment and community, fostering a sense of belonging and curiosity. As an Enviroschool, Kidsfirst Kindergartens Hokitika educates children, parents, and whānau about sustainability, empowering children to become leaders and promoting understanding of Māori perspectives, diversity, and culture. The kindergarten actively participates in community events and encourages tamariki to be caretakers (kaitiaki) of the environment. Strong connections with the local primary school support a smooth transition for children as they move on from kindergarten, ensuring a seamless educational journey.