Childcare options in Wanaka
Wanaka has a few daycare, childcare and early childhood education options. Book a visit or enquire at any one of them with Kindello. We're here to help you find the perfect fit for you and your child.
Top-rated childcare in Wanaka
Parents agree these childcare options are highly rated for location, staff, and more.
4.83 (1)
Wanaka - Wanaka
Pinnacles Early Learning Centre
WELCOME TO PINNACLES
Nature based childcare and education for 0-5 year olds.
We are situated in Northlake just 5 mins from the town centre so call in anytime for a visit.
We offer better than MoE staff: child ratios, have a purpose built learning environment and beautiful natural resources sourced from environmentally friendly suppliers to ensure your child experiences the best start we can possibly give them on their individual educational journey.
We are part of a group of 4 privately owned early learning services who offer quality education and care programs with a focus on equity of opportunity and improved participation and educational success for all children.
At Pinnacles we have made it our mission to foster a genuine love of nature and to provide children with opportunities to be supportive and kind to each other and to the environment.
As our pre-schoolers near school age they will take part in the transition to school programs at both Wanaka Primary School and Te Kura O Take Karara to ensure they are supported with the next steps of their learning journey.
Pinnacles Early Learning Centre is a purpose built ECE service which caters for children between 3 months and 5 years of age. We are open between 8am - 5.30pm to meet the needs of working parents but also offer a shorter day or sessions for families who may be looking for different care and education requirements.
We have chosen to follow a 'BYO lunch-box' model rather than provide food onsite as we believe this caters to each child's individual dietary requirements and current food preferences much better than a one option fits all approach of a weekly Menu and helps children to have authentic choices around what they eat and how much they eat each day.
We grow our own vegetables in our awesome veggie patch and kaiako help children to cook all sorts of yummy healthy smoothies, muffins and soups with the harvested goodies. Out staff are experts in making sugar free, gluten free, whatever you like free versions of favourite foods !
We employ experienced, qualified, registered ECE and Primary teachers and also caring childcare workers who have a special affinity with our under 5's.
Licensed for
80 children
Wanaka - Wanaka
Aspiring Beginnings Early Learning Centre
Aspiring Beginnings Early Learning Centre was purpose built in 1997 with the support of the local Wanaka community, whose vision was a childcare provider that supported families living and working in our community.
Our Vision: To be the early childhood learning centre of choice in our community of Aotearoa, providing every opportunity to be highly effective learners.
Our Purpose: To provide all families and whanau with quality early childhood care and education in a small family-focused environment, valuing:
- Positive and respectful relationships
- Ako – both teaching and learning
- Children & adults as competent & confident learners
- Sustainable practices in all areas of operation
- Community involvement
- Creative thinking and innovation
- Excellence in governance & management practice
Licensed for
40 children
Wanaka - Wanaka
Montessori Children's House Wanaka
The love of learning begins at Montessori
Montessori Children’s House Wanaka offers pre-schoolers aged between 1 and 6 years the freedom to explore in a fun, nurturing and well-resourced learning environment where they can develop independence and a respect for both the natural world and each other that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
“Never help a child with a task at which she feels she can succeed.”
Maria Montessori
Environment and Classroom
Our beautiful environment provides a balance between freedom, order and responsibility, nurturing and stimulating the spontaneous curiosity within the child, inspiring a love of nature and a love of learning. The Montessori classroom offers, to a community of children, of mixed age range, the opportunity to function freely with guidance and within a framework.
Encouraging the inquisitive mind
To facilitate the freedom to learn the Montessori environment and materials are carefully prepared for the benefit of the child. The aim of this environment is the satisfaction of the child’s natural tendencies: order, independence, exploration, creative imagination and social interaction. It was this concept which led Maria Montessori to call her first school a “children’s house”, “Casa dei Bambini”.
Respect
Our traditions are founded on respect for each child as a unique individual. Together we are on a journey of creating an environment for your child, based on respectful relationships and in harmony with nature. We are a Silver Award member of Enviroschools New Zealand and are committed to nurturing children to appreciate and respect their natural environment.
Aims
Our main aims are for each individual child are to:
Receive a holistic education based on Montessori principles, within the framework Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum.
Experience the excitement of discovery and learning at their own pace so that they develop a lifelong love of learning.
Have “aware” adult assistance when needed, so that skills can be practised and perfected i.e. helping children to help themselves.
Be respected as an individual, helping them to value this concept towards others.
Licensed for
56 children
Childcare for every family
Get the childcare option that is right for you and your child.
Education and Care
Teacher-led and at least half of the educators will be qualified early childhood education teachers.
Kindergarten
Community-focused childcare, where the teachers seek to involve families and whānau.
Playcentre
Parent-focused and family-orientated approach to childcare. Play-led learning.
Popular features for Wanaka childcare centres
Other great childcare options in Wanaka
Wanaka - Wanaka
Wanaexcel Education Hub
Education & Childcare in Wanaka
Hidden in the heart of Wanaka, an educational environment like you've never seen before!
Why our centre?
Providing meaningful learning experiences
No matter where you come from or whatever your background may be, experience has taught us that there is no better form of education than that provided through life experience.
Positive early experiences in a safe, nurturing, happy, stimulating environment shape the way children learn, think and behave throughout their lives and we are excited to host a wide variety of educational and cultural experiences for the children at WanaExcel. With specialised areas and staff catering to the needs of babies, children and young adults of all ages, WanaExcel will provide the best learning opportunities to support your child’s individual requirements.
Learning Community
Where its good to get lost in the right direction
WanaExcel is a leading-edge concept where meaningful learning and care are paramount and is the culmination of our family’s lifelong dream. We are fortunate to have purposefully built our innovative Centre on Cliff Wilson Street, within walking distance of all the local schools and right in the heart of Wanaka.
Licensed for
70 children
Wanaka - Wanaka
Kanuka Corner Early Childhood Centre
Kanuka Corner in Lake Hawea is a warm, welcoming home-away-from-home for young children. We are nestled amongst the mountains and kanuka trees, a stone’s throw from the Hawea river and lake. We are a licensed Early Childhood Center, nurturing babies (9 months+) through to school-ready children across two learning rooms and an expansive outdoor area.
Our nature-based philosophy makes us special. From our outdoor exploration programme and amazing outdoor playscape to our natural resources and organic food garden that contributes to the wholesome, nourishing food we provide.
We are a qualified, caring and passionate team of educators . It is an honour and privilege to be working with young people throughout their formative years.
Children are capable and competent. We will work with them on a level of mutual respect, promoting a love of learning and life. Our programme is a combination of structured and free play time, of child-led and teacher initiated enquiry-based learning.
Licensed for
35 children
Wanaka - Wanaka
Cardrona Nursery & Ski Kindy
The Cardrona Ski Kindy is a fully-licensed early childhood education facility with highly experienced & qualified teachers. The centre caters for children aged 3mths up until their 5th birthday, so whether you want your children to experience snow & learn to ski, or are after somewhere snug & comfy for them to hang while you hit the slopes, we have the perfect place for your family!
Licensed for
50 children
Wanaka - Wanaka
Wanaka Pre-School Early Childhood Centre
We deliver a child led programme guided by the Early chidhood curriculum Te Whāriki together in partnership with families and the community to achieve our vision.
VISION
We will create collaborative partnerships with our families, teachers, children and community to build our capacity as an innovative learning community leading in sustainability with a strong moral purpose for everyone’s wellbeing.
OUR LEARNING PRIORITIES
- Empowered Learners
- Respect for Diversity
- Sustainability
- Connected Communities
Te Ao Māori
Wānaka Preschool operates two well resourced programmes with indoor and outdoor environments to cater for different ages, diverse needs and children’s interests.
We employ trained, ceritified and experienced teachers and enjoy teacher : child ratios of a high standard to ensure adults know children well with their best interests at our heart.
KORIMAKO PROGRAMME (BELLBIRD)
is for children aged
12 months to 3-3.5 years
with a maximum of 17 children.
KERERŪ PROGRAMME (WOOD PIGEON)
is for children aged
3-3.5 years to school entry
with a maximum of 27 children.
We have established collaborative relationships with local schools and and all our children are supported with transition to school. Those attending Wānaka Primary School are accompanied by a teacher initially for the Te Ara Hono Transition to School Programme for up to 10 weeks prior to starting school. We will similarly support children’s transitions to Holy Family School and Te Kura Take Karara.
We achieved the highest Enviroschool reflection, Green/Gold, empowering children and families to act in ways that nurture people and nature, now and in the future, to maintain the health and viability of our environment, society, culture and economy.
We run Explorers and Discovery Programmes for all our children to venture into the local parks and community. These programmes compliment our philosophy and sit wonderfully under our Enviroschool umbrella, both of which strongly support the values of working alongside families to create a healthy, peaceful and sustainable community.
Licensed for
65 children