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Where every child's potential blossoms

Kia ora e te whānau, welcome to Central Kids

When your tamariki step through our gate, they become part of our whānau – as we become part of yours.

Our kindergartens are a home away from home, a place where every tamaiti is recognised, respected and included for who they are and who they want to become.

Ko ngā tamariki te pūtake
Children are central to all we do

Our kindergartens offer a child-led, learning through play philosophy that enables tamariki to grow at their own pace.

Te arataki ā-tikanga rua
Bicultural leadership

As partners of Te Tiriti o Waitangi we are committed to growing an environment that strengthens te ao Māori.

Me tiaki, me manaaki i te taiao
Protect and enhance the environment

We teach our tamariki to be kaitiaki o te taiao, guardians of our natural environment.

Our community

Central Kids has 50 kindergartens in 27 towns across the central North Island. We've been providing high-quality, affordable early childhood education and care since 1951 and we're proud to have served many generations of whānau. 

Find a kindergarten near you

Our leadership team

Central Kids kindergartens benefit from being part of non-profit association that's dedicated to ensuring every tamaiti has access to early childhood education. Our board and leadership team provide direction and expertise to ensure our kindergartens thrive. 

Meet the leadership team

Work with us

Central Kids is a great place to start or grow your career in early learning, with opportunities for kaiako (teachers) at every level, tokotū whakahaere (administrators), kaiwhakaako (head teachers), social support, corporate services and leadership roles. 

Join our team
The future of our tamariki includes all of us - because when they grow, we all grow together.

Building connections for strong whānau foundations

Mātauranga Ake is the Central Kids social support team. The team provides free wrap around support and guidance for whānau, because we believe building strong foundations for whānau is key to giving tamariki the best start in life. 

Learn more

A very family friendly place

"My son was not happy at daycare so we decided to check out Rewi St Kindergarten and instantly we knew this was the place for him. The play area both inside and out is very large and diverse in activities. They have different activities every day and there's always something different for the kids to do. The kids do a lot of baking and food prep as well as helping in the veggie garden. It is a very family friendly place and all the teachers are absolutely amazing! My son is so happy to go there and has really grown in his one year off being there."

Rebecca Hamilton
Whānau feedback
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