Education & Care Service 20 Hours ECE

Atawhai Kids

Nelson
5|
Ages
0–5 years
Roll Size
43 children
Subsidies
20 Hours
Rating
5/5

About Atawhai Kids

Atawhai Kids is a education & care service in Nelson, with children currently enrolled aged 0–5 years. It’s well suited for families needing flexible full-day or part-day childcare with a balanced, mainstream early learning programme. This centre offers 20 Hours ECE funding.

About Education & Care Service

Education & Care Services are mainstream early learning centres that offer full-day or part-day care with a structured curriculum, qualified teachers, and a focus on learning through play. They cater to families needing flexible childcare options and wanting a balanced approach that supports social, physical, and early academic development in a diverse environment.

What Is 20 Hours ECE funding?

20 Hours ECE is a government-funded initiative that helps reduce the cost of early childhood education for families with tamariki aged 3–5. Eligible children can receive up to 20 hours of funded care and education each week at participating services. Centres can set their own enrolment patterns and may ask for optional charges, but the funded hours themselves should be free of compulsory fees. If you are unsure how this works at Atawhai Kids, it is best to ask the centre directly how they apply 20 Hours ECE.

Community Profile

Roll & age distribution

Atawhai Kids currently has a roll of 43 children tamariki , with most children enrolled in the 0–5 years age band.

Ethnicity profile

European tamariki are the largest group (83% of the roll), alongside māori, other children.

Roll and demographic figures are based on data supplied by the Ministry of Education and were last updated on 01/07/2024.

Parent Reviews

Google Verified
JD
Jamie Dunbar
March 2025

“Atawhai Kids Preschool has been an amazing fit for our whānau. A warm and relaxed environment where kids are offered a range of amazing learning experiences inside and outside of the classroom. The huge natural outdoor space allows for play regardless of the weather, and we have been delighted to watch our boys grow in confidence and connection during their time at AKP. At pick-up time, I’m often asked if they can stay “just a bit longer”! Thank you to the kaiako for the safe and happy learning environment you create for our tamariki ❤️”

MS
Mario Schimanski
March 2025

“Atawhai Kids is the perfect preschool - supportive and caring teachers, endless activities, plenty of outdoor space and a fun, positive environment. After just our first few visits we knew we'd made the right choice and we could already see changes in our daughter's development and that she was so happy being there. Highly recommend Atawhai Kids!”

ZK
Zealand Kyle
January 2024

“We lived in Atawhai at the time we enrolled our son, we’ve now moved into town and will keep our kids at the preschool. We love all of the teachers, the environment inside and out (big outdoor space). We’re constantly amazed by how much he’s grown, mentally, physically and emotionally! Our boy’s always excited to go to preschool and always asks to go on the days I have him home. We all really appreciate AKP. Highly recommend to everyone 😊”

MV
Mel’s Vblog 128
March 2023

“Inviting,beautifully and homely invironment .Teachers are caring,respectful and knowledgeable . I'm feel very comfortable leaving my child at preschool. I know my son is having a fantastic care. I couldn't ask for a better preschool for my child to attend. All of the staff are supportive, warm and accommodating to our personal needs there. It's a lovely environment to be in with a beautiful modern building and plenty of activity choices to suit the Tamariki. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Atawhai Kids Preschool to anybody thinking of enrolling their child/ren there.”

RB
Ryan Bennett
April 2022

“We have just had the privilege of staying at this Preschool for 5 weeks and it was absolutely amazing! The staff were very accommodating for such a short time. They were also very welcoming, friendly and respectful of our 2 children both enrolled here. For the short time that we were here I was confident that my children were safe and loved by the amazing staff. The outdoor and indoor space for both the older and younger children is such a great space. We are all very sad to be leaving and wish we could stay! So a big thanks to all the staff here....What an amazing preschool to have been!”

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Contact Details

8 Hodgson Place, Nelson

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