Educare Kaiapoi is a great location for working families close to Rangiora and Christchurch. Our brand new centre is designed to be a home away from home for your tamariki with lots of natural resources and large outdoor area to support your children’s inquiring minds.                          

Great location with easy access off the motorway for working families, only around 20mins away from Christchurch and 10mins away from Rangiora. Waimak Junction is a new development area with great shops coming close by. Lots of parking for easy drop off and pick up of your tamariki.

About Kaiapoi Nursery

Specialising in individualised and responsive care for infants and children from 0 to 3 years old, Portobelo Kaiapoi Nursery opened in February 2010. Originally a private residence, it has been extensively remodelled to suit the needs of our youngest children. We are tucked away on a quiet residential street, with our outdoor play areas at the back and well away from the street. Here there are trees, grass, swings, a sandpit and mudkitchen, gardens and decking, with spaces designed to encourage children's curiosity and exploration of their natural environment at their own pace. Our babies and toddlers can also see through the fence into the Preschool children’s playground, allowing for connections and interaction with their siblings as a natural part of their day.

Our indoor areas include underfloor heating (especially nice for the babies over winter time), lots of play nooks within a large space, and separate café, art room, and sleep rooms. Both indoor and outdoor environments are freshly set up several times each day by teachers, to have lots of interesting and inviting play spaces with resources that encourage children to explore deeply, all with a natural feel.

We understand how special your child is and we will work hard to ensure the settling in process takes account of what’s important to you and your whanau. We offer free orientation visits for you and your child so that relationships can be built between us all. To ensure we get to know each child and family well, and can meet each child’s individual preferences and needs, we work to ratios of 1 adult to 3 babies (under 12 months) and 1 adult to 4 toddlers (12 months and over).

When it is time to move “over the fence” to the Preschool, we will work with you to put in place an individual transition plan to ensure your child has plenty of time to become familiar with the new environment and teachers. We take our lead from the child as to how best to pace this.

About Kaiapoi Preschool

We are located in a quiet residential street in Kaiapoi, well away from the industrial area and motorway. Our adjacent nursery is able to be accessed either by walking through our walkway, or from a separate street address.

The preschool was once a private house, on a large section, which has been adapted to meet the needs of our preschool. Indoors we have a number of cosy inviting areas thoughtfully set up by teachers each day, that encourage children to engage in sustained creative play. We also have a separate café area where the children eat together and take part in larger group activities. We have a wide range of ever-changing resources that invite cooperation and joint work on projects of various natures and sizes. Children learn about respect, responsibility and community, while developing friendship skills, creativity, problem solving, along with literacy and numeracy. For our older children, we have a specially designed ‘Ready for School’ programme, which ensures each child is well set up for success when they enter formal schooling.

The outdoor area is a large natural space, with fruit trees, decking, edible gardens, swings and a slide, a playhouse, and plenty of space for exploration and activities. Every day the children use this space for swinging, digging, running, climbing, playing ball games, riding their bikes and tending our gardens. They learn about challenge and risk, problem-solving, working with others, perseverance, and responsibility for the environment, while making discoveries in this rich environment.

We love getting out and about in our local community, and there are local parks, a primary school, the Community Garden, a rest home, shops and a library for us to walk to regularly.About Kaiapoi Preschool

BestStart Kaiapoi is a gorgeous, specially designed childcare centre set against the stunning rural backdrop of Kaiapoi. We are a large centre and have ample room for your child to play in a safe and nurturing environment where learning is driven by children’s interests. We currently have limited spaces available.

Respecting The Early Years To Build Foundations For The Future

Our caring and qualified teachers will nurture and extend your child’s social, emotional, cognitive and physical development.

We have loads of excellent age-specific resources to help your child learn and develop to their full potential.

We believe that to effectively guide children into school, both teachers and parents/whānau need to be active participants in the journey. Because of this we welcome family contributions at any time.

What makes us different:

• We have three large playgrounds for children to explore and discover
• We have five large classrooms – providing ample space to extend children’s learning. This include a separate room for our under ones.
• Our under two bedroom has full stand-alone cots with a home away from home feel
• Qualified, passionate and experienced staff with low teacher to child ratios
• Bright, clean and well-resourced centre

Come and visit us!

We understand that it can sometimes be hard leaving your child in our care for the first time and know that it is important for you to be happy when leaving your children. Therefore we encourage you and your child to visit the centre as many times as you like, until you’re both comfortable.

Visiting the centre gives you the chance to see our teachers working with the children and in turn this is how they will interact with your child. You don’t need to book for a visit, simply drop by or call us for more information.

Who is BestStart?

BestStart is for families who want more from early-childhood education. Safe, nurturing and educationally focused, we’re committed to growing caring people with curious minds.

Together we teach, learn and nurture.

Our vision is to work in partnership with families, whanau and communities to enable children to achieve their learning potential.

Ko tō mātou tirohanga hei mahi ngātahi i te taha o ngā whānau me ngā hāpori, kia āwhinatia ngā tamariki, kia tū pito mata ai rāatou, hei rangatira mō āpōpō.

We are committed to being a progressive and responsive leader in early-childhood education. We do this by enhancing our services, investing in our people, developing our support structure and continuously improving the educational outcomes and experiences of our children, families and the communities we serve.

Some facts:

• We’re licensed to educate and care for 15,000 full-time children daily.
• 18,000 families use BestStart services annually.
• We have over 270 centres nationwide located from Whangarei to Invercargill.
• Each centre is managed by a Centre Manager who is supported by a local Area Manager. This gives our centre teams ongoing quality training and support.
• Te Whāriki, the world-wide acclaimed national early childhood education curriculum, is used in all centres.
• We have over 4500 permanent teachers nationally. Over 90% of our permanent teaching staff are either fully qualified with a diploma or bachelor of teaching (ECE) or higher, or are in training. These figures are very high by national standards within the ECE sector.
• We provide a two-year Advice and Guidance Programme for all recently certified teachers, providing further mentoring and training. This gives strong support for teachers from provisional registration to full teacher registration with the NZ Teachers Council.
• We regularly spend around $4 million on teacher training per annum.

We’re for children

At our heart is our commitment and passion for children. Central to this belief is our focus on the holistic development of children. We support children to explore the world around them, learning through relationships, creating a love of learning in an ever-changing world. Exploration, friendship and fun are part of the journey.

We’re for good

BestStart is a registered charity owned by the Wright Family Foundation. We support initiatives and programmes within BestStart and the wider early-childhood education sector (ECE) that support good outcomes for all children. We do this because we want to make a positive difference to the lives of all children.

Innovation leads us

At BestStart, innovation guides our thinking. We advocate positive change for learners through our research and practice. We’re proud to be thought leaders within ECE, openly challenging ourselves to think differently to provide the best for our children, families and staff.

We’re responsive

Our centres reflect their children, staff and communities. We celebrate individuality, uniqueness and diversity, encouraging a spirit of empathy, understanding and collaboration. Through our responsive relationships and our curriculum, we support learners to choose their own path.

Our people matter

At BestStart people come first. When we grow and develop our people, everyone benefits. We strive for whakamana/empowerment, nurturing a culture of excellence with engaged, talented professionals. Their commitment, skill and passion light our way.

Thinking about Home Based childcare with Home Grown Kids?

All of our Educators are carefully selected and screened including Police Vetting, identity checks, an interview that assess their attitudes and values toward children and an overall assessment of risk.

Enquire today and we’ll be in touch with you soon to provide the perfect option for your family.

Choosing the Best Educator for Your Child

We stand strong alongside our Educators. We care about them and we’re committed to the work they do, supporting and communicating with them every step of the way. We understand that engaged, fulfilled Educators make for happy families and even happier tamariki who thrive in these small group settings.

Small Group Setting

Our Home Based childcare groups are capped at a maximum of four children under the age of six, including Educators’ own children. This means we can offer each child the individual attention they need to flourish.

The best fit for your whānau values

Our Educators offer a range of different programmes based around their beliefs, values, culture, background and philosophies. Over 90% of our Educators hold a recognised ECE qualification. Some of our Educators are mothers and grandmothers with fantastic life skills, experience and knowledge. We’ll listen to your needs and then offer, where possible, a range of Educators. You will get to choose an Educator that you and your whānau connect with and trust.

Exceeding educational standards

An education programme that reflects New Zealand ECE curriculum - Te Whāriki. We are a Ministry of Education approved and licensed Early Childhood Education provider. Regularly reviewed by the

Education Review Office to ensure all our Home Based environments not only meet, but exceed the Ministry of Education’s Licensing Criteria for Home-based Services (2008).

Subsidies available

We’re an approved Work and Income provider and can support you to access a childcare subsidy if you are eligible.

20 hours ECE scheme

The Government subsidises all children aged 3-5 years (or 6 if not enrolled in school) who attend an ECE facility, making access more affordable for all.

Leaders in development practices for each child

All our Educators are supported and guided by our Visiting Teachers who are Qualified certificated ECE teachers with many years’ experience and expertise in early childhood education. Our Visiting Teachers regularly attend professional development to keep up-to-date with current research and theory for best practice for Education and care for under fives.

Our philosophy, vision and mission

• Our Vision– The why – The reason we exist:

To provide a family friendly wrap around support service that enables all tamariki/whanau to learn, grow and thrive in a home-based setting. Investing in cultivating kindness, strong and professional relationships, in all our people to continue growing as lifelong learners

• Mission Statement – The How -How are we going to achieve the Vision?

We will achieve our Vision through ensuring that every team member is emotionally invested in the well-being of our people including tamariki, whanau, Educators, communities and our Edubase family. We value successes and that these are not ours alone, the greatest success comes from the strengths of many. Our passion, knowledge and commitment will be the catalyst that enables everyone to learn, thrive and achieve.

• Philosophy Statement

Edubase is a Home Based Early Childhood Education service that is committed to providing nurturing learning environments where tamariki thrive as individuals through an authentic play-based, natural learning education and care programme, in a home setting.

To enrich the learning of each tamariki we form strong community connections, developing links within the home and the learning environments of our Kaiako. Tamariki learn respect for people, places and things, shaping Aotearoa and developing an appreciation of New Zealand’s dual heritage. We continually strive to develop knowledge and an understanding of the cultural heritages of both partners to Te Tiriti o Waitangi – supporting a holistic approach to learning which is guided by our NZ Early Childhood Curriculum, Te Whāriki.

Educators and Nannies offer comfortable, small group sizes, fostering respectful and reciprocal relationships, promoting tikanga Māori within their practice.

As an Organisation, we pride ourselves on cultivating strong, professional relationships, strengthening capability in all our people to continue growing as lifelong learners.

Edubase celebrates the diversity and uniqueness of each tamaiti, whanau and Kaiako and the gifts they bring. They are taonga, a treasure or gift. All things cultural are affirmed and celebrated, aiming to support children in gaining a positive awareness of their own and other cultures.

Tiaki nga tamariki – take care of the children

HoNey BeeZ Preschool & Nursery is a childcare centre in Kaiapoi. 

We offer high quality early childhood education in a homely like setting with a very large outdoor area. Our hive is always buzzing!!!

We are licensed for 35 children.

Welcome to Tuahiwi Preschool 

Located 5 minutes drive from Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Pegasus Town and Woodend, Tuahiwi Community Preschool attracts families from across North Canterbury. Our philosophy is that every child is special and unique and requires acceptance and respect in order to develop to their full potential. Children will experience a supportive and challenging environment where their individual holistic growth is paramount. Qualified teachers and auxiliary staff provide an age appropriate programme that lays the foundation for the formal learning that takes place at school. Children are encouraged to play within set limits and boundaries through a balance of structured activities and free play which promotes self-esteem, fun and empowers them to learn. 

Adults and children will create a dynamic environment in which care and respect for themselves, others and equipment is promoted. Families/whanau and community are warmly welcomed and experience an environment where their contributions are valued and partnership is fostered.

Sovereign Star Preschool and Nursery was established in 2013. It is a privately-owned preschool committed to providing care and education for children aged 3 months to 6 years old.

We believe having a dedicated, qualified and experienced teaching team and support staff ensure a safe, nurturing and trusting environment; where your child has the opportunity to grow and develop a love for lifelong learning.

At Sovereign Star, we believe that the early years are a special time in a child's life: an exciting period of discovery and learning.

We are committed to providing the best care and education for your children.

What We Offer

• A stimulating educational based programme for tamariki aged 0 - 6 years.
• Specialised music, dance and drama programme for tamariki aged 0 - 6 years.
• An opportunity for children to develop imagination and creativity through daily experience.
• Before (B4) school program, for four-year olds which focuses on readiness for school.
• Swimming program: Tamariki are able to participate in small focused experiences to develop self-management, independence and motor skills in conjunction with Waimakariri District Council at Kaiapoi Aquatic Centre.
• Enjoyable experiences for tamariki that promotes learning in numeracy and literacy.
• An environment where tamariki are able to follow their interests and develop an enquiring mind.
• Develop language and communication by interaction, participating and co-operating with other tamariki and adults.
• Our child-teacher ratio ensures that your child will always have the individual interaction necessary to develop a lifelong love for learning.

Karanga Mai Early Learning Centre was established to provide education and care for the infants, toddlers and children of young parents while they attend Karanga Mai Young Parents College.  

We work together to recognise and respond to the specific social and educational characteristics of young parents and their children. The learning community works holistically to provide an environment where our young parents can continue their educational journey while being supported in their role as young parents.    

Teachers at the early learning centre focus on establishing responsive and trusting relationships. We work together with the young parent to ensure that their child’s Well-being - Mana Atua is cared for and they develop a sense of Belonging - Mana Whenua enabling them to thrive and learn within their whanau and community.  

At Karanga Mai we are committed to nurturing the potential of each child and supporting their development and growth. Our Approach is based on Te Whariki (NZ Early Childhood Curriculum) with the following aspirations for children underpinning all that we do;  

To grow up as competent and confident learners and communicators, healthy in mind, body, and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging and in the knowledge that they make a valued contribution to society.

The Rainbow Early Learning Centre was established in May 2001 to meet the needs of the local community. The Rainbow provides quality education and care programmes and facilities for children from age 6 months until they start school. The inside layout of The Rainbow provides maximum space and excellent visibility which helps to ensure child safety. The spacious outside play areas are designed to give your child a wide range of play experiences in a safe and natural environment.  

The Rainbow team believe in providing a warm, caring and supportive environment for all our children and their families/whanau.  This is in line with our gentle Christian philosophy and values.  Each child will receive individual attention and experiences, while at the same time have opportunities to be involved socially within group activities.

In one of the paddocks adjacent to The Rainbow we have a small farmlet - our current animals are chickens, ducks, sheep, a pig and a couple of mischievous goats.   Our vegetable patches, composting and worm farm are also in this space - and we spend time out in the paddock most days enjoying and caring for our farm animals.  

We also have other pets at The Rainbow; budgies and guinea pigs in the preschool, and fish and rabbit.