Kakapo Creek Children's Garden — Local services in Hibiscus and Bays

I am simply grateful for the fortune of having my son attend this institution. My son suffered at his previous kindergarten due to a violent peer, yet he did not receive sufficient support or intervention from the teachers, leaving him emotionally wounded. It must have already been challenging for him to come to a foreign country where he couldn’t speak the language, but this experience made him fearful of forming friendships and unable to trust adults.

We had to be extremely careful in choosing his second kindergarten. From the beginning, we could sense Kakapo Creek’s genuine care for children and their commitment to supporting them through its system. The teacher-to-child ratio was exceptionally high, ensuring that children were always within the teachers’ sight. The environment was not only safe but also thoughtfully designed to align with Kakapo Creek’s philosophy. We also appreciated that all teachers were fully qualified, with many holding primary school teaching certifications, and that they worked full-time. Additionally, the home visit from the teachers during the enrollment process helped my child feel reassured and allowed us to build a meaningful connection with them. The daily meals, carefully planned with health, cultural diversity, and sustainability in mind, were another aspect we valued. The warmth and kindness in the expressions, words, and attitudes of all staff members were truly evident.

Since joining Kakapo Creek, my child has regained his confidence and happiness. He initially had no knowledge of English, but with special support, he achieved remarkable language development within five months. As a result, his social skills improved significantly, and his circle of friends expanded. The diverse preschool programs, which stimulate children’s interests without being coercive, have fostered his intellectual growth and motivation to learn. He absolutely loves the farm school program, which connects children with nature and greatly enhances their ability to engage in self-directed play. Additionally, he enjoys every other program offered here, from cooking and art to crafts and dance.

I am delighted that my child now loves his friends and trusts his teachers. Within a stable and nurturing environment, he has undergone significant development and transformation in a short period. I also feel fortunate that he has learned to respect diversity within a multicultural setting. The teachers come from various backgrounds and fully respect the diverse backgrounds of the children, allowing my son to explore the wider world without feeling intimidated.

My husband and I talked about how much effort this institution puts into our child’s well-being. I would like to express my special gratitude to Kaye and Joy, who have always been there with warm and caring eyes. The fact that a child’s experience at an institution shapes who they become feels like a great responsibility. I deeply respect how you understand this better than anyone and work tirelessly to turn your vision...

A wonderful oasis for Children. Our 15month old son started here a month ago and he loves it. Under 2’s just started in September 2022. Lots of free play, with an indoor/outdoor flow. The design of the centre is an oval, with special plants growing on the roof and the rain drains down the chains into the pot plants with palms. All the rooms open up into the centre with a wooden playground and a really cool water play station. There are art easels outside too under shelter and so many toys and carts. There is a sleep room with stretcher beds. Then there is a natural mini forest/garden and another slide and mini climbing wall and rope area by the sandpit with mini hobbit houses. The rooms on the right side have a view of the creek which runs right beside it and the left side rooms have a view of the garden. Lots of parking too. Free baking for the parents in the morning. Although the food is vegetarian during the day, it is nice, with rice & chickpeas etc. Afternoon tea is usually fruit and crackers. We are doing half days and they save lunch for us as it is served at 11.30am. Lots of natural wood toys in the rooms, with a huge panda soft toy and mini kitchens, playhouses, sinks, magnetic toys, dress ups, soft play, books, building blocks, natural pinecones etc, sensory objects, mini animals, felt objects, drawing, playdough and so much more. The teachers are all lovely and experienced. They read and sing to the kids. The kids get to mix with each other (over and under 2) during the day, while supervised too. Nice toilet and changing stations. Nappies and wipes supplied by Kakapo creek. A beautiful spot in Mairangi Bay, just up from the beach. We are really enjoying it so far. The older kids go to the forest/farm in silverdale during the week to learn about nature and animals. Looking forward to...

My daughter has attended three different daycares and preschools for about a year each. Our experience at Kakapo Creek has been unparalleled. In the beginning, I enrolled my daughter in a nearby center for convenience, but we found some of the teachers there lacking in love and empathy. My daughter wasn't happy there, so we switched her to Kid's Cove, which was better in many ways than the first center. While passing Kakapo Creek's fence one day, my daughter was captivated by its beautiful backyard. We talked to the teachers through the fence, and when they invited us in to play, my daughter enjoyed there and didn't want to go out. Although Kakapo Creek was a bit further from home, my daughter couldn't forget about it. Months later, we decided to switch her there, despite the longer commute. It was worth it. Kakapo Creek is not just a daycare or a preschool, it's a special place where children are truly valued. The founders are idealists pursuing their dream, not just business people looking for profit. Kaye is always there, meeting with the manager or caring for the kids. It is common for me to see Kaye holding a crying kid and coaxing it, read for kids, or play games with kids. The location and construction of the center are a testament to their commitment to excellence. While it's a new center and may have some thing in managerment for improvement compared to more established ones, it's a beautiful, loving environment with enriching activities. My daughter loves woodworking, nature school in farm, and Playball. Some parents may think the fees of Kakapo creek are high, but considering the additional activities included, it's comparable to others good centers. Overall, Kakapo Creek has been a fantastic...