Childcare options in Whakatane

Garaway Kindergarten

For over 50 years Central Kids Garaway Kindergarten has been providing quality early childhood education and care for children and their families in Whakatāne.

Our team are passionate registered teachers who promote respectful and genuine partnerships with whānau/families and the wider community.  Our key teacher practice ensures a safe and secure transition for each child through a strong, warm and supportive relationship. Teachers are trained in the Incredible Years programme that promotes calm, consistent behaviour management strategies to support children’s social and emotional development.

At Central Kids Garaway Kindergarten each child experiences an environment that stimulates children’s engagement and learning. Our expansive indoor and outdoor spaces allow children to learn through play and explore at their own pace. We celebrate each child for who they are and what they bring to the learning environment. We are rich in oral language and literacy and believe that every child can grow into a confident and competent lifelong learner.

You and your whānau are welcome anytime to visit and explore our learning environment and experience the difference that is Central Kids Garaway Kindergarten.

Strathmore Kindergarten

Ngā mihi nui ki a koe. We welcome you to visit Central Kids Strathmore where we focus on giving our whānau/families a sense of belonging.

You will find us down the road from the Whakatāne Hospital. You enter our gate into a large playground with beautiful shade trees. The tamariki call this area “the park”. New families are invited to choose a “buddy teacher” to help settle their child and family into Kindergarten. Once settled, the teachers support children to build relationships with each other, promote ako, tuakana-teina and guide children through the complexity of learning social skills while in a safe environment.

Our experienced team of Teachers have been together since 2013. We operate a Kindergarten van, which enables us to support seven children with transport to and from Kindergarten; while also being able to take small groups of children for trips into the community. Trips include visits to the bush, library, airport and local landmarks of significance. Our large and natural resourced outside environment provides children with challenges and space to explore and investigate – come have a look for yourself.

Our children are supported to become confident, competent self-directed learners through play based around their interests. Our children gain knowledge through play, participation and positive guidance.

Our Children’s curiosity and creativity is nurtured through the fun range of experiences provided … no two days at Playcentre are the same.

Our children develop nurturing and social skills which have lifelong benefits. Siblings attend together, allowing older children to mentor younger children and practise empathy and caring.

Our parental relationships developed through Playcentre provide support from parents and help them develop new parenting and life skills.

Our parents are actively involved in providing our children’s learning programmes. The high adult to child ratio allows a good balance for group and individual support during each session.

There is no other organisation for early childhood education and family development quite like it in the world. Thousands of kiwi children, and their parents too, have grown up with Playcentre … book in for your three visits today and come and join the fun.

Playcentre is an awesome place to come along with your children and watch them grow and learn in a safe and happy play based environment. We are mainly a farming community and our kids are all very caring and down to earth. Together the parents all care for and look after all our children during our sessions. It’s a great team of parents! Its a great place for new parents to meet other local parents too. 

We aim to go on two trips per term to various locations. We also have a good relationship with the primary school next door. We participate in their school events when applicable and have also gone to visit different classes to join together for activities. 

We have a well resourced center and offer a wide range of activities every session. Our children always love being at playcentre. 

At Otakiri we cater for all ages in each of our 3 sessions. We always welcome new parents and would love to see you for a visit any day. 

Nau mai, haere mai and welcome to Mananui 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!

Te Kōhanga Reo

The kōhanga reo movement is a unique initiative based on total immersion in Māori language and values with the aim of passing on Māori culture to future generations.

Kōhanga reo emphasise the revitalisation of the culture through te reo Māori and are dependent on the active participation of the whole whānau. The kaupapa of kōhanga reo aims to strengthen whānau capabilities in cultural, social, economic, spiritual and political matters. Education, health and wellbeing are inherent within all aspects of the kaupapa. The prime focus is the whānau – its collective development, growth, accountability and wellbeing set within a Māori cultural context.

Kōhanga reo do not regard tamariki in isolation, but as important members of the whānau. The kōhanga reo philosophy is that tamariki will benefit when whānau successfully operate according to the kaupapa. Tamariki are an integral part of whānau development.

The following key goals are the foundation of te kōhanga reo kaupapa established in 1982:

• total immersion in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga in daily operations
• whānau decision-making, management and responsibility
• accountability
• health and wellbeing of mokopuna and whānau.

The key goals of te kōhanga reo assure that there will be:

• security in te reo Māori
• a supportive, caring environment for mokopuna
• whānau (collective) sharing of responsibilities, knowledge and expertise
• greater respect and appreciation of each other.

Te Kōhanga Reo

The kōhanga reo movement is a unique initiative based on total immersion in Māori language and values with the aim of passing on Māori culture to future generations.

Kōhanga reo emphasise the revitalisation of the culture through te reo Māori and are dependent on the active participation of the whole whānau. The kaupapa of kōhanga reo aims to strengthen whānau capabilities in cultural, social, economic, spiritual and political matters. Education, health and wellbeing are inherent within all aspects of the kaupapa. The prime focus is the whānau – its collective development, growth, accountability and wellbeing set within a Māori cultural context.

Kōhanga reo do not regard tamariki in isolation, but as important members of the whānau. The kōhanga reo philosophy is that tamariki will benefit when whānau successfully operate according to the kaupapa. Tamariki are an integral part of whānau development.

The following key goals are the foundation of te kōhanga reo kaupapa established in 1982:

• total immersion in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga in daily operations
• whānau decision-making, management and responsibility
• accountability
• health and wellbeing of mokopuna and whānau.

The key goals of te kōhanga reo assure that there will be:

• security in te reo Māori
• a supportive, caring environment for mokopuna
• whānau (collective) sharing of responsibilities, knowledge and expertise
• greater respect and appreciation of each other.

Te Kōhanga Reo

The kōhanga reo movement is a unique initiative based on total immersion in Māori language and values with the aim of passing on Māori culture to future generations.

Kōhanga reo emphasise the revitalisation of the culture through te reo Māori and are dependent on the active participation of the whole whānau. The kaupapa of kōhanga reo aims to strengthen whānau capabilities in cultural, social, economic, spiritual and political matters. Education, health and wellbeing are inherent within all aspects of the kaupapa. The prime focus is the whānau – its collective development, growth, accountability and wellbeing set within a Māori cultural context.

Kōhanga reo do not regard tamariki in isolation, but as important members of the whānau. The kōhanga reo philosophy is that tamariki will benefit when whānau successfully operate according to the kaupapa. Tamariki are an integral part of whānau development.

The following key goals are the foundation of te kōhanga reo kaupapa established in 1982:

• total immersion in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga in daily operations
• whānau decision-making, management and responsibility
• accountability
• health and wellbeing of mokopuna and whānau.

The key goals of te kōhanga reo assure that there will be:

• security in te reo Māori
• a supportive, caring environment for mokopuna
• whānau (collective) sharing of responsibilities, knowledge and expertise
• greater respect and appreciation of each other.

Little Sprouts Montessori Preschool provides a quality early childhood education for children from 9 months until 6 years. We offer 20 hours free education for children three years and older.

Considering a preschool is not an easy decision – you want to be sure you are giving your child the best possible start in life. This is why we have created Whakatane’s most nurturing preschool, where infants and children love to learn.

Little Sprouts Montessori Preschool gives your child a head start in life – setting the foundation for learning and success. At Little Sprouts each child’s needs, interests and abilities are woven into the learning program. This helps them develop to their fullest potential and become independent and confident with a love of learning.

THE MONTESSORI WAY

BRINGING OUT A CHILD’S TRUE NATURE

Our preschool is centred around the Montessori method of teaching. Montessori education is concerned with the development of the child with the underlying belief that self-directed learning activities will bring out ‘the child’s true normal nature.’

“All children carry within themselves the person they will become and in order to develop physical, intellectual and spiritual potential to the fullest, the child must have freedom”.

A child’s way of learning should be active, experimental, individually paced, self-correcting, independent and unlimited in scope. The warm, supportive environment offered at Little Sprouts provides exactly that.

Te Kōhanga Reo

The kōhanga reo movement is a unique initiative based on total immersion in Māori language and values with the aim of passing on Māori culture to future generations.

Kōhanga reo emphasise the revitalisation of the culture through te reo Māori and are dependent on the active participation of the whole whānau. The kaupapa of kōhanga reo aims to strengthen whānau capabilities in cultural, social, economic, spiritual and political matters. Education, health and wellbeing are inherent within all aspects of the kaupapa. The prime focus is the whānau – its collective development, growth, accountability and wellbeing set within a Māori cultural context.

Kōhanga reo do not regard tamariki in isolation, but as important members of the whānau. The kōhanga reo philosophy is that tamariki will benefit when whānau successfully operate according to the kaupapa. Tamariki are an integral part of whānau development.

The following key goals are the foundation of te kōhanga reo kaupapa established in 1982:

• total immersion in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga in daily operations
• whānau decision-making, management and responsibility
• accountability
• health and wellbeing of mokopuna and whānau.

The key goals of te kōhanga reo assure that there will be:

• security in te reo Māori
• a supportive, caring environment for mokopuna
• whānau (collective) sharing of responsibilities, knowledge and expertise
• greater respect and appreciation of each other.

Welcome to Waiapu Kids St George’s

Waiapu Kids St George’s is a community-based early childhood centre and service of Anglican Care Waiapu. We provide quality care and education for up to 50 children in a warm and friendly centre.

Our area for infants and toddlers provides education and care for children up to three years of age, and our Wesley Room fosters education and care for children up to school age. We know all children learn and develop at their own pace, and we place importance on supporting children to transition between rooms when they are ready.

We value children’s play as the way in which they learn about the world around them. Different activities and opportunities are provided for children each day to extend their interests, develop social, emotional, and cognitive skills, and build self-confidence and creativity.

Parents and families are important to us. We want to work together with you to support your child’s development and will give regular feedback on your child’s experiences at centre and their learning focus and progress.

Our Community

We take part in community events and visit parts of the community like the library, local school, local parks, and Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi. These strong links with community enable the children to explore and connect with the wider world, making links between people, places, and things to support their sense of belonging and identity.

Our Centre Philosophy

At Waiapu Kids St George’s we provide an environment that values and respects the uniqueness of all individuals, where love is embodied through compassion, kindness, and empathy.

Te Kōhanga Reo

The kōhanga reo movement is a unique initiative based on total immersion in Māori language and values with the aim of passing on Māori culture to future generations.

Kōhanga reo emphasise the revitalisation of the culture through te reo Māori and are dependent on the active participation of the whole whānau. The kaupapa of kōhanga reo aims to strengthen whānau capabilities in cultural, social, economic, spiritual and political matters. Education, health and wellbeing are inherent within all aspects of the kaupapa. The prime focus is the whānau – its collective development, growth, accountability and wellbeing set within a Māori cultural context.

Kōhanga reo do not regard tamariki in isolation, but as important members of the whānau. The kōhanga reo philosophy is that tamariki will benefit when whānau successfully operate according to the kaupapa. Tamariki are an integral part of whānau development.

The following key goals are the foundation of te kōhanga reo kaupapa established in 1982:

• total immersion in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga in daily operations
• whānau decision-making, management and responsibility
• accountability
• health and wellbeing of mokopuna and whānau.

The key goals of te kōhanga reo assure that there will be:

• security in te reo Māori
• a supportive, caring environment for mokopuna
• whānau (collective) sharing of responsibilities, knowledge and expertise
• greater respect and appreciation of each other.