Childcare options in Parua Bay

Early childhood education and care for babies through to 6 year olds.

We are a family owned and operated purpose built centre in the heart of Parua Bay. We are licenced for 60 children over two rooms, our Fantail room caters to babies through to 3 year olds and our Pukeko room 2.5 year olds through until they head off to school.

Manaia Kindergarten is set overlooking the picturesque inlet of Parua Bay on the Whangarei Heads.

At Manaia Kindergarten we see teachers, children and whanau as a community of learners supporting each other - ako in matauranga Maori. We believe children are unique and capable individuals who take an active role in determining their learning.

Our curriculum develops from children’s interests, with teachers facilitating, questioning, providing provocations and extending, to support children’s engagement and build their thinking skills and strategies for learning.

We are guided by the principles and goals of Te Whariki, He whāriki mātauranga mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa, NZ Early Childhood Curriculum 2017. 

As an Enviroschool we encourage the Maori principle of Kaitiakitanga-being nature guardians, caring for our land. Tamariki care for our community vegetable garden and learn where our food comes from, and how delicious fresh home-grown food can be. Thanks to whanau involvement new vegetables and plants are added to this garden throughout the seasons.

Collecting eggs from our hei hei and harvesting vegetables is a part of our everyday programme. Our emphasis on the natural environment is further supported by our Nature Programme which is run for our 10 oldest children, who visit our local reserve and shoreline every week throughout the year. 

Our children enjoy the outdoors, our playground offers opportunities for them to explore and develop essential gross motor and fine motor skills. Monkey-bars, swings, trucks and our sandpit all support children’s physical development whilst laying the foundations for key numeracy and literacy skills.

We value building Whanaungatanga with all our new kindergarten whanau—making positive connections and forming trusting relationships, spending time getting to know each other, and encouraging your tamaiti to find their place in this wonderful community.

Nau mai, haere mai and welcome to Parua Bay Playcentre

Playcentre is unlike any other early childhood education organisation. At Playcentre, both children and their parents / caregivers attend.

At Playcentre children get the opportunity to learn and explore in a fun and safe environment.

The curiosity and creativity of our tamariki is nurtured in a way that allows them to learn about themselves and their world.

Your child will be given a chance to explore, create, climb, read, sing, experiment, play music, wear costumes, have their face painted (or do it themselves!), garden, do carpentry with real tools, bake and cook, build sandcastles, swing, slide, dance, spend time in nature and get messy.

The activities change every day. Playcentre parents all bring different skills, interests, and cultural backgrounds to add to the rich learning environment.

We welcome families with children aged 0 – 6 years. Mixed age play allows your children to engage with others older and younger than themselves. Pre-schoolers learn how to communicate, share and negotiate with empathy for their younger peers.

At Playcentre, families come together and lifelong friendships are formed.

We welcome you to visit any time during the year. You are entitled to three free visits so come and check out what we do – we would love to meet you and your family!