Education & Care Service 20 Hours ECE

The Wilderness

Christchurch, Russley
5|
Ages
0–5 years
Roll Size
149 children
Subsidies
20 Hours
Rating
5/5

About The Wilderness

The Wilderness is a education & care service in Russley, Christchurch, 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 The Wilderness, it is best to ask the centre directly how they apply 20 Hours ECE.

Community Profile

Roll & age distribution

The Wilderness currently has a roll of 149 children tamariki , with most children enrolled in the 0–5 years age band.

Ethnicity profile

European tamariki are the largest group (71% 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

Google Verified
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Nicole Miles
July 2025

“We absolutely love The Wilderness for our boys! The setting is magical – a nature forest, lambs, pigs, chickens, and Taco the turtle – what more could you ask for, preschool days are always exciting! The teachers and staff are so warm and caring, and the chef somehow gets them eating food they simply would refuse at home (we need that secret touch!). It’s so comforting knowing they’re happy, well cared for, learning, exploring, and well fed every day. Couldn’t recommend it more!”

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Jasmine Emerton
July 2025

“I couldn’t think of a better place for my girls to go to preschool. They wake up excited every single morning, eager to get to preschool and see the lambs, pigs, chickens and of course, Taco the turtle! One of their favourite parts of the week is Forest Day. I absolutely love that they get to be outside in all weather, exploring, learning, and challenging themselves in such a natural and enriching environment. The teachers at The Wilderness are amazing. My girls have built strong relationships with each and every one of them. It’s so clear how much the team genuinely cares about every single child. I would wholeheartedly recommend The Wilderness to anyone looking for a preschool, it truly is one in a million!”

CD
Chloe Davison
July 2025

“The wilderness has been an amazing place for our daughter to spend her days! She loves going outside so this is the perfect place for her; the garden, the forest; all the animals she gets to visit. She loves the food and eats so well there! The teachers are amazing with her teached her heaps new things especially how to make new friends absolutely love this place for my baby she’s also formed amazing bonds with the teachers and feels safe to be left there highly recommend!”

JF
Jessie Fraser
July 2025

“We started at the Wilderness not long after it first opened with our first born. We had no idea what to look for in childcare centres and came across the Wilderness, conveniently 5min from our house. The minute we drove down the driveway and walked into the building we knew it was the one. Not only is it a beautiful set up located within “The Wilderness”, it has a team of teachers who are absolutely irreplaceable. With both my husband and I growing up rurally with animals we knew we wanted our son, and now daughter to get to have the same experience although living in town. Our son loves the chickens, pigs, lambs, neighbours horses and can’t forget the daily checks to say hello to Taco the Turtle. The team really made us feel at home and assured our kids are well cared for. The ratios are fabulous and the 4 different aged rooms is absolutely amazing, I can rest assured knowing my 8m old won’t get lost within the chaos of being surrounded by 2year olds only others her age. From Courtney at reception, the accounts team, manager, kitchen and teachers, they’re all so fabulous and we’d choose no other place ❤️”

JP
Jessie Prebble
July 2025

“The wilderness has been an amazing place for our daughter to spend her days! She loves going outside so this is the perfect place for her; the garden, the forest; all the animals she gets to visit. Even as a 1 year old they don’t miss out on any experience. She loves the food and eats so well there! The teachers are amazing with her, she’s formed amazing bonds with them and feels safe to be left there. Really recommend!”

Interested?

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Contact Details

483a Yaldhurst Road, Russley, Christchurch

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