Free Kindergarten 20 Hours ECE

Waiwhetu Kindergarten

Lower Hutt, Lower Hutt CBD

Ages

2–5 years

Roll Size

53 children

Subsidies

20 Hours

Rating

5/5

About Waiwhetu Kindergarten

Waiwhetu Kindergarten is a free kindergarten in Lower Hutt CBD, Lower Hutt, with children currently enrolled aged 2–5 years. It’s well suited for parents seeking community-based, not-for-profit early education led by qualified teachers, usually with sessional hours. This centre offers 20 Hours ECE funding.

About Free Kindergarten

Free Kindergartens typically offer sessional or part-day early learning programmes led by fully qualified teachers, following Te Whāriki and emphasising learning through play, social interaction, and community involvement. These centres cater to families seeking high-quality education in a not-for-profit, community-based setting with strong ties to local whānau.

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 Waiwhetu Kindergarten, it is best to ask the centre directly how they apply 20 Hours ECE.

Community Profile

Roll & age distribution

Waiwhetu Kindergarten currently has a roll of 53 children tamariki , with most children enrolled in the 2–5 years age band.

Ethnicity profile

European tamariki are the largest group (38% 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

Kamden Yates

October 2022

“I used to go here and it was one of the best learning places I have gone to”

Moe Dahlan

November 2018

“One of the best KGs I ever had to deal for my kid with between Auckland and the Hutt. Trish was amazing dealing with my son and they looked after him with real family care style and kept me well informed for all his activities and development with the “Families App””

Piratheepan Nagaratnam

June 2018