Early Childhood Education

We have eight Early Childhood Education centres across the Bay of Plenty, Te Tairāwhiti, and Hawke’s Bay. Every Waiapu Kids centre offers warm, professional, play-based learning where your child’s culture, strengths, and interests are at the heart of everything we do.

20 free ECE hours are available at most of our centres, with competitive fees beyond that. Our centres welcome children from as young as six months through to school age.

Our teachers are skilled, passionate, and committed to growing their knowledge, so your child benefits from both warm personal care and professional excellence.

Waiapu Kids Philosophy

All of our centres incorporate the Waiapu Kids Philosophy into their practice and teaching:

“Waiapu Kids early childhood education services believe that each child is unique and created in the image of God. Jesus showed a special care and respect for tamariki. This belief guides our practice and our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, tangata whenua, and the wellbeing of children and their whānau.”

Whānau Aroha

Three of our centres (Merivale in Tauranga, St Francis in Rotorua, and Te Hapara in Gisborne) operate under the Whānau Aroha kaupapa. These centres go beyond Early Childhood Education to provide wraparound whānau support services, walking alongside tamariki and their whānau.