Ngā Ui Auau
FAQs
Where are our kindergartens located?
Our kindergartens are located in the communities where tamariki live and go to school. We have 24 kindergartens throughout Taranaki – Pātea, Hāwera, Eltham, Stratford, Inglewood, Bell Block, Waitara, New Plymouth and Ōakura.
Our Kindergartens are as unique as the tamariki who attend. We take pride in the fact that no two Kindergartens are the same – we would love you visit to find the one that best suits you and your tamaiti/child.
What hours are kindergartens open?
All our kindergartens (*except Koru Kindergarten) offer up to 6 hours per day with session times between 8:30am–2:00pm or 8:45am–2:45pm.
*Koru kindergarten offers up to 7.5 hours per day, with session times for pēpi and tamariki aged 3 months to 6 years. Opening hours are 8:00am–3:30pm, Monday to Friday.
Some kindergartens may offer different hours. You will need to contact your local kindergarten for more information, as availability and times will vary between kindergartens.
What are the kindergarten term dates?
You can view the kindergarten term dates by clicking here.
What does it cost?
We offer up to 30 hours free for all tamariki aged 2–6 years* (*Except Koru Kindergarten)
Kindergarten Taranaki is part of the government scheme which allows all tamariki over three years of age to receive 20 hours free early childhood education (ECE) a week. This scheme is available for everyone, regardless of whether you work or how much you earn. You can choose to use as many or as few hours of 20 Hours ECE as you want, up to 6 hours a day and 20 hours a week.
Kindergarten Taranaki have extended this scheme, offering 30 hours free ECE per week for children from 2 years of age, for all of our kindergartens (except Koru).
2–3 years – up to 30 hours free ECE. No charge if you use your hours at our kindergartens.
3–6 years – If your child attests all of their 20 hours free ECE to any of our kindergartens (can be split across our kindergartens), they can receive up to 30 hours free ECE.
3–6 years – if your child attends and splits their 20 ECE free hours with Kindergarten Taranaki and another learning centre (not Kindergarten Taranaki), there will be a charge of $6 per hour for any additional hours over the combined 20 ECE free hours.
* Koru Kindergarten operates a different fee schedule. For more information go to koru kindergarten
For more information contact Ph: (06) 759 7036
Email: admin@kindergartentaranaki.co.nz
Whānau Donations
The Ministry of Education funding does not cover all kindergarten costs. To assist with meeting the daily running costs of each kindergarten, we ask families to make regular donations.
The suggested donation is $10 per week (50 cents per hour for up to 20 hours).
Donations ensure kindergartens can maintain a high standard of education, including employing only trained and registered Early Childhood Teachers. All donations received from families are retained by each kindergarten and channelled back into children’s learning.
All donations paid to the kindergarten can be claimed on an annual basis to receive a 33% tax credit refund from IRD.
*Koru Kindergarten operates a different fee and donation structure.
Who will teach my child?
All of our Kaiako/Teachers are 100% qualified and registered Early Childhood Teachers, and are passionate and dedicated to children’s learning. Each kindergarten has a Head Teacher, Teachers and support staff.
All Kaiako/Teachers engage in ongoing professional learning, and are supported by our Senior Teachers. The Senior Teacher Team provides the supports the teachers with assessment, internal evaluation, educative mentoring and pedagogical leadership and management to ensure equitable and excellent outcomes for tamariki who attend our kindergartens.
What age can my child start kindergarten?
Our kindergartens cater for tamariki aged between 2 and 6 years.
However, Koru Kindergarten in Stratford takes pēpi/babies and tamariki from 3 months through to 6 years.
It’s a good idea to contact your chosen kindergarten early (well before your child turns 2) so you can discuss your child’s enrolment and availability.
Please contact your local kindergarten to find out more.
How do I enrol my child?
Enrolling at Kindergarten is simple – just contact your local kindergarten and arrange a time to meet with a Kaiako/Teacher or Kindergarten Administrator. They will show you around the kindergarten and answer any questions you might have.
You can complete an enrolment form at the kindergarten or complete the form at home and return it to the kindergarten.
You can also send us an enrolment enquiry online by contacting us.
The kindergarten will contact you when a space is available and arrange a suitable start date. The starting date will depend on the length of the waiting list.
You are welcome and encouraged to bring your child in for visits while you wait for your start date.
What is the teacher/child ratio?
The ratio at kindergarten is 1:10 – 1 teacher to 10 children
For Koru Kindergarten the ratio for pēpi/babies is 1:3
For 1-2 year olds the ratio is 1:4
What will my child learn?
Kindergarten follows the New Zealand curriculum, Te Whāriki, which is grounded in the Learning Through Play model. This means we support tamariki as they explore their interests at their own pace, nurturing their natural curiosity, and fostering a love of discovery.
Through meaningful play and intentional teaching, and incorporating whānau aspirations, we encourage independence, creativity and resilience – laying strong foundations for life-long learning, well-being and belonging.
“Competent and confident learners and communicators, healthy in mind, body and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging and in the knowledge that they make a valued contribution to society”.
Te Whāriki – Early Childhood Curriculum
Children will learn and develop:
- Develop early numeracy, literacy and science skills
- Feel confident about who they are and develop responsibility and a sense of independence
- Develop effective communication skills
- Be creative and expressive through activities such as painting, music, collage, movement, dance, finger painting, drawing, cutting, pasting and story sharing
- Build friendships with other children and relationships with consistent teachers
- Develop fine motor skills e.g. writing, cutting and grasping pencils
- Experiment with sand and water
- Learn about limits, boundaries, routines and tools for conflict resolution
- Participate in gross motor play e.g. climbing, throwing, kicking, balancing and lifting
- Persevere, problem-solve and take risks
- Learn through trial and error
- Explore through experimenting, questioning and curiosity
- Develop confidence and celebrate their attempts and successes
- Have fun and develop a passion for learning.
What will my child need to take to kindergarten?
Each day your child will need to bring:
• A spare set (or two) of named clothes
• A wide-brimmed sun hat in the summer months
• Nappies and bottles if required
• A small lunch box with healthy kai/food and a drink bottle
NOTE: several of our kindergartens are Food Service kindergartens. This means all food is provided at kindergarten. Your kindergarten will be able to give you more information.
• A bag with your child’s name clearly printed
• Any other items that are part of your local kindergarten’s daily routine. Please speak with your kindergarten directly.
Do children need to be toilet trained?
No, if your child is still toilet training just let a teacher know. They will be able to offer guidance and suggestions to help with the process.
Should I bring my child to kindergarten if they are sick?
If your child is feeling unwell or displaying any of the symptoms below, we ask that they remain away from their kindergarten and return 48 hours after the final symptom.
In particular, watch for:
• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• a high temperature
• an unidentified rash
• conjunctivitis (unless medical treatment has been applied for at least 24 hours)
• any other symptoms of a contagious illness
• head lice (after treatment).
If you are unsure about whether your child can attend, please discuss this with the teaching team.
Ministry of Health Infectious Diseases Chart (which includes exclusion from school)
https://healthed.govt.nz/products/infectious-diseases-1
or call Healthline for free advice on 0800 611 116.
What food should I bring for my child?
Our teaching teams promote healthy eating at kindergarten. Please bring a small lunchbox with healthy kai/food for your child. Our kindergartens are Enviroschools kindergartens – this means we try to reduce the amount of waste we produce at kindergarten. Where possible try to make ‘litterless lunch boxes’ that have enough compartments to keep foods separate and clean.
Several of our kindergartens are Food Service kindergartens. This means that snacks and meals are provided by the kindergarten. When you enrol, the kindergarten team will let you know if/what you will need to bring.
Fresh water is available at all times for children to drink.
If you would like some suggestions of healthy kai for lunchboxes then have a look the NZ Heart Foundation website.
Can I get involved?
Yes! Whānau are always welcome and we encourage you to be part of your tamariki’s learning journey – from day-to-day activities, outings, shared kai and special events, through to sharing stories from home on the online Storypark app. Talk to the kindergarten team about how you can be involved.
Committees and Whānau Groups
Committees and Whānau Groups work in partnership with our teaching teams and the wider community to support our kindergartens, particularly in the area of fundraising activities, organising social events and working bees. See your kindergarten team to find out how to join.