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Kakapo Creek Children’s Garden | Premium, Attachment-Rich Early Childhood Education
With consistent long-term caregivers, our weekly Farm School, an environmentally responsible playground, and bespoke architecture designed specifically for young children, Kakapo Creek Children’s Garden offers an exceptional early childhood care and education experience. Many parents are looking for something more—more consistency, more warmth, more quality, more nature, and more intentional learning. Kakapo Creek offers this for discerning families.
Relationships Matter (Attachment-Rich Practice)
Children thrive when they feel safe, loved, and deeply known. Evidence-based research shows that children’s most meaningful learning—and their strongest memories—happen in relationship with trusted adults. That’s why we prioritise stable staffing and continuity of care, so your child can build secure attachment relationships that support emotional wellbeing, confidence, and learning.
At Kakapo Creek, you can expect:
- Consistent, long-term caregivers to strengthen your child’s sense of belonging and security
- Teachers who are present every day, so children can depend on familiar, trusted adults (not rotating split-shift staffing)
- 100% qualified, experienced teachers who are warm, responsive, and genuinely enjoy children
- A culture where children are hugged, nurtured, supported and truly known
- Excellent child:teacher ratios, increasing the individual attention and meaningful interaction your child receives
- A strong family community supported through regular social events and parent workshops
Learning Programme (Enriched Experiences, Every Day)
Every day offers a balance of indoor and outdoor learning experiences, supported by teachers who know your child and your family. We protect childhood through rich play, while also extending learning through intentional teaching, conversation, and carefully designed environments.
Children experience an enriched curriculum with a wide selection of quality resources and equipment—thoughtfully selected to support curiosity, creativity, problem-solving and deep engagement. For more detail and to book a tour, please visit our website.
Early Literacy and Numeracy (Readiness-Led)
We use a phonics-informed approach alongside an integrated numeracy programme to support early literacy and mathematics. Children are never forced—our teachers watch for readiness and interest, then respond with encouragement and gentle teaching at the right time for each child.
Most learning happens through intentional play, planned experiences, and rich conversations. Our school readiness programme provides additional support for children approaching school age.
Specialist Itinerant Teachers (Weekly Variety and Extension)
Each week includes specialist, developmentally appropriate “adventures” led by itinerant teachers in areas such as:
- STEAM
- Sport and movement
- Woodwork
- Music and dance
These experiences are engaging and fun, and ensure that children of different ages, strengths and interests are intentionally supported within our multi-age, family-style environment.
For Children Aged Three to Six
Children over three are placed in family-style classrooms that best fit their personality, maturity and stage of development. Each classroom has three teachers, and we prioritise continuity so teachers can remain with children across their journey at Kakapo Creek.
This consistency reduces unnecessary classroom changes and supports children’s emotional and social development. Strong bonds form not only between teacher and child, but also between teachers and parents—we work in partnership and “journey together”.
Under Three Years (The First 1000 Days Matter)
We understand how important the first years of life are for development. Our under-three environment is supported by highly experienced, qualified teachers and excellent ratios, enabling the close, responsive care infants and toddlers need.
We also provide eco-friendly biodegradable nappies and wipes, included in the fee.
Our Planet Matters – Farm School
Nature is essential for wellbeing, curiosity, resilience and a sense of calm. That’s why we created a learning environment rich in nature, including our own Farm School.
Once a week, children can attend Farm School at our 1.2ha farm-bush in Silverdale (optional extra). Children will:
- Explore native bush and open green spaces
- Care for and learn about animals (including chickens, sheep and fish)
- Grow vegetables in our glasshouse and walled garden
- Pick fruit from our orchard
- Roam, climb, explore and experience the seasons in real ways
Meals (Cooked Daily)
Our professionally trained chef prepares nutritious cooked meals every day, alongside morning tea, afternoon tea and extra snacks for children in extended hours. We also enjoy celebrating birthdays—our chef can prepare a special birthday cake on request.
We cook with our planet in mind: our menu is vegetarian, supporting both health and sustainability.
Parent Support and Community
Kakapo Creek parents have access to amazing family social experiences, attachment- and neuroscience-informed parenting workshops. We also offer additional support for families navigating relationship challenges—simply ask at reception to book an appointment with our family therapist. Regular parent socials and events create genuine community and connection.
Fees
Because we provide enhanced staffing, exceptional environments, enriched programmes and premium resourcing, we do not compete on price. If you are seeking a lower-cost option, there are many good centres nearby. If you are seeking something truly exceptional, we invite you to visit Kakapo Creek to see whether we are the right fit for your child.
Fees and tour bookings: www.kakapocreek.school.nz
PHILOSOPHY
Kakapo Creek Children’s Garden is devoted to attachment-rich, nature-filled early childhood care and education, delivered within a sustainable, award-winning environment purpose-built for young children. At Kakapo Creek, children are surrounded by warmth, consistent nurturing care, and daily connection with the natural world.
Our practice is grounded in modern, evidence-based neuroscience and attachment research, rather than outdated theories. We intentionally design our environments, routines and teaching approach to support children’s wellbeing, secure relationships, and deep learning—because when children feel safe, they can explore, engage and thrive.
OUR TEACHERS
We believe learning begins with relationship. A close, responsive teacher–child bond creates the sense of safety that enables children to take risks, extend their thinking, and confidently participate in their world. That is why we invest considerable time and resourcing into staffing stability and relationship-based practice.
At Kakapo Creek:
- Our teachers work five days a week—we do not use job-sharing models—so children can rely on consistent, familiar caregivers
- We are proud to have 100% qualified teachers who are experienced, warm, and genuinely enjoy working with children
- We maintain excellent teacher-to-child ratios to maximise attention, connection and high-quality interactions:
1:4 for under twos
1:6 for two to three-year-olds
1:8 for over threes
TEACHING, LEARNING AND CURRICULUM
We provide a developmentally appropriate balance of intentional teaching and child-led play. Our teachers plan carefully and observe closely, using children’s interests and learning needs to shape experiences. While our planning is structured and deliberate, children experience it as joyful, meaningful learning through play.
In addition to our daily programme, we offer specialist learning experiences across the week to ensure a richly varied and genuinely enriched curriculum:
- Monday: STEAM
- Tuesday: Playball (sport and gross motor skills)
- Wednesday: Carpentry
- Thursday: Playball (sport and gross motor skills)
- Friday: Dance and Music
Get Ready for School (Tuakana)
Our Tuakana “Get Ready for School” group meets four days a week for our four-year-old children. This programme supports school readiness through literacy foundations, early maths concepts, independence, and practical self-help skills—building confidence for a smooth transition to school.
Farm School (Optional)
Children aged three and over are invited to opt in to our weekly Farm School excursion to our private 1.2 hectare farm and forest. Children spend the day with their classroom teacher and a specialist Farm School teacher in a stunning outdoor environment, developing resilience, problem-solving skills, physical capability, and a deep connection with nature—experiences rarely available in an urban setting.
Farm School enrolments are managed term-by-term.
Kakapo Creek Children’s Garden offers premium early childhood care and education with exceptional personalised service for families, 100% qualified ECE teachers, low ratios and substantial extra curricular activities.
Our fees are published online - we are a bit pricey. But you get so much for the extra price!
Check out our fees online: https://kakapocreek.co.nz/enrolment-options/
ADMINISTRATION FEE AND BOND
There are no enrolment application fees. However, upon acceptance and to secure your enrolment we charge a non refundable $100 administration fee and a $500 refundable bond payable at the time of enrolment. This bond will be refunded when your child leaves Kakapo Creek provided the appropriate notice has been given and all fees are paid in full.
INCLUSIONS
Bamboo biodegradable nappies, nutritious cooked meals, morning tea and afternoon tea, specialist teachers (carpentry, music, dance, playball, STEAM), lower teacher:child ratios, our parent portal app, Kakapo Creek events and parent support.
DISCOUNTS
50% discount for up to 15 days holidays per annum, pro rata. Full fees are charged for additional holidays. Holiday discounts can be applied to sick days by request. We offer a 10% sibling discount off the eldest child’s fees.
20 HOURS ECE* AND OPTIONAL CHARGES
Services over and above MOE regulation are able to be charged for during the 20 Hours ECE subsidy hours for children aged 3 years and over. If attending less than 20 hours per week, additional optional charges apply for the following services: Bamboo biodegradable nappies (where applicable), nutritious cooked meals, morning tea and afternoon tea, specialist itinerant teachers (music, dance, carpentry, playball), lower teacher:child ratios and our parent portal app in addition to the extra non-funded hours. For children aged over three years of age, attending over 20 hours per week these fees are included in the above rates. If attending less than 20 Hours optional charges apply. Further information on this is available on your tour or at reception at any time. If your child attends more than 20 hours, the above services are provided within your fees. See our website for full fee information.
FARM SCHOOL
There are 30 Farm School vacancies each term – 10 on each of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Farm School is available to children aged three and over who are toilet trained on a first come, first served basis each school term. Parents enrol in farm School for a full school term, and can opt in or out at the end of each term. Farm School does not operate during school holiday times. There are no refunds or discounts if your child is absent.
LATE FEES
Late pick up fees apply as per the parent handbook.
MINIMUM ENROLMENT
3 days per week (minimum 6.5 hour days).
INTERNATIONAL FEES
Please inquire directly via email, phone or during your tour about our non-subsidised fees for international children (non residents visa). We do not enrol children for short term ‘English enrichment’ type holidays due to our attachment rich philosophy and our commitment to doing what is in children’s best interests.
We serve healthy, nutritionally balanced vegetarian meals in support of our commitment to nature and the environment and to children's health and wellbeing too.
Our meals are prepared by a qualified chef who cooks with lots of fresh vegetables and fruit purchased from our local fruit and vegetable retailer. Meals are on a 4 week cycle that changes between summer and winter.
- Morning tea consists of a variety of seasonal fresh fruit, vegetables and a carbohydrate such as hummus with crackers
- Lunch is a nutritiously balanced cooked meal including vegetarian protein
- Afternoon is is a variety of seasonal fresh fruit with some home baking
- There is a late snack of fruit and crackers for children who are here after 4:30pm