Kakapo Creek Children's Garden

About Kakapo Creek Children's Garden
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 Kakapo Creek Children's Garden, it is best to ask the centre directly how they apply 20 Hours ECE.
Community Profile
Roll & age distribution
Kakapo Creek Children's Garden currently has a roll of 93 children tamariki , with most children enrolled in the 0–5 years age band.
Ethnicity profile
European tamariki are the largest group (51% of the roll), alongside māori, pacific, asian, 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
“We feel very fortunate to have both of our children at Kakapo Creek. Ian and Kaye’s educational philosophy is outstanding, and it shows in every aspect of the centre. The curriculum is rich and thoughtfully designed, and the classrooms are beautifully set up with carefully chosen toys and resources that reflect a strong sense of quality and aesthetic taste. One of the biggest highlights is the farm program. It is such a unique and valuable opportunity for the children, and our daughter look forward to it every week. Melissa leads the farm activities with so much creativity and care, we have seen our daughter gradually grow in confidence through these experiences. The teachers all qualified here, they are warm, professional, and genuinely passionate about early childhood education. They nurture the children with patience and love, creating a safe, inspiring environment where children can flourish. Every day, we felt assured that our kids are in the very best hands. Kakapo Creek is more than just a childcare centre , it is a warm, high quality learning community, and we couldn’t ask for a better start for our children. We are so grateful to be part of this wonderful whānau.”
“Our children have been attending Kakapo Creek Children’s Garden since 2023 and we couldn’t be happier with the experience. The centre offers a nurturing, attachment-rich learning environment. One of their standout features is the exceptional team of teachers, many of whom have been there for years. Their consistency, genuine care and passion for what they do makes Kakapo a very special second home for our kids. The outdoor play spaces are beautiful and inviting and we love attending their holiday events as a family. I highly recommend Kakapo Creek to any family looking for a top tier early childhood education experience.”
“Really happy that my daughter is growing and learning at Kakapo Creek! Beautiful and welcoming environment. The managers and teachers all have a wealth of experience that gives me peace of mind. At Kakapo, I know she is in safe hands.”
“I highly recommend this kindergarten. The atmosphere is wonderful — warm, relaxed, and joyful. The children have the freedom to be themselves, and my child truly loves the teachers. The kindergarten also offers a variety of engaging activities like soccer, dancing, and even woodwork, which my child really enjoys. One of the things I especially love is the little touches at the front desk — sometimes there are fresh flowers, vegetables, or eggs brought in from a farm. These small joys left a lasting impression. Even now, seeing the thriving vegetable seedlings in our garden brings back lovely memories of those days. They also occasionally host online seminars on parenting, which I’ve found very helpful (though I wish I had more time to attend all of them). The ones I did join were insightful and supportive. It’s a special place that really cares about children and families.”
“I am simply grateful for the fortune of having my son attend this institution. My son suffered at his previous kindergarten due to a violent peer, yet he did not receive sufficient support or intervention from the teachers, leaving him emotionally wounded. It must have already been challenging for him to come to a foreign country where he couldn’t speak the language, but this experience made him fearful of forming friendships and unable to trust adults. We had to be extremely careful in choosing his second kindergarten. From the beginning, we could sense Kakapo Creek’s genuine care for children and their commitment to supporting them through its system. The teacher-to-child ratio was exceptionally high, ensuring that children were always within the teachers’ sight. The environment was not only safe but also thoughtfully designed to align with Kakapo Creek’s philosophy. We also appreciated that all teachers were fully qualified, with many holding primary school teaching certifications, and that they worked full-time. Additionally, the home visit from the teachers during the enrollment process helped my child feel reassured and allowed us to build a meaningful connection with them. The daily meals, carefully planned with health, cultural diversity, and sustainability in mind, were another aspect we valued. The warmth and kindness in the expressions, words, and attitudes of all staff members were truly evident. Since joining Kakapo Creek, my child has regained his confidence and happiness. He initially had no knowledge of English, but with special support, he achieved remarkable language development within five months. As a result, his social skills improved significantly, and his circle of friends expanded. The diverse preschool programs, which stimulate children’s interests without being coercive, have fostered his intellectual growth and motivation to learn. He absolutely loves the farm school program, which connects children with nature and greatly enhances their ability to engage in self-directed play. Additionally, he enjoys every other program offered here, from cooking and art to crafts and dance. I am delighted that my child now loves his friends and trusts his teachers. Within a stable and nurturing environment, he has undergone significant development and transformation in a short period. I also feel fortunate that he has learned to respect diversity within a multicultural setting. The teachers come from various backgrounds and fully respect the diverse backgrounds of the children, allowing my son to explore the wider world without feeling intimidated. My husband and I talked about how much effort this institution puts into our child’s well-being. I would like to express my special gratitude to Kaye and Joy, who have always been there with warm and caring eyes. The fact that a child’s experience at an institution shapes who they become feels like a great responsibility. I deeply respect how you understand this better than anyone and work tirelessly to turn your vision into reality.”
Interested?
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