Childcare options in Rakaia

Locally owned and operated, we are dedicated to providing calm and homely environments while having space outdoors to explore and discover.

A team of qualified and experienced kaiako will ensure the transition from home to preschool is a successful one for both you and your tamaiti.

We offer 3 separate learning environments with a shared outdoor space for all over two children.

Te Maru: 

A peaceful and homely setting designed for infants and toddlers to explore safely.

Hine Paaka: 

A funfilled yet calming space for those aged somewhere between 2 and 3years 9months

Taniwha: 

This newly built classroom was added in April 2021, a space designed for those in their final years of their ECE journey.

Rakaia Playcentre is a supervisor lead centre, boasting a purpose built facility neighbouring our local primary school. Our tamariki enjoy a large open indoor play area, and our outside space has a very popular bike track, Whare, sandpit and fort.  

Playcentre is all about learning through play and we are the experts!  

We offer support and education for all children and their parents. 

 We are open for two and a half hours of fun every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning.

Dorie Community Preschool is a community based early childhood centre that was opened in August 2009, built by our community for our community.   We are licenced for 36 children with up to 10 of these being Under 2's.  In our unique rural setting our purpose built centre sits within our local farming community and alongside the local primary school.  

We understand the importance of quality care for infants and young children and provide a warm caring environment for children to explore, discover and build on individual interests in an inviting learning environment, we work at a 1:3 ratio.  

The teachers at Dorie Community Preschool recognise that parents are the child’s first teachers and work alongside them to establish meaningful relationships that allow families to feel welcome and assured that the aspirations that they hold for their child are valued and respected.