Little KauriEarly Learning Centre · Whanganui
Licensed for 45 tamariki · ERO rating: Well Placed · Ministry licence EL-1247
Nature-based education for tamariki aged 0–5 in Whanganui
We have three rooms. Availability changes weekly — these numbers are live as of this morning.
| Item | Rate |
|---|---|
| Standard hourly rate | $6.50/hr |
| 20 Free Hours (3–5s, up to 6 hrs/day) | Funded by MoE |
| WINZ Childcare Subsidy | Up to $5.48/hr |
| Optional lunch programme | $8/day |
| Sunscreen, nappies, wipes | Included |
Most families with a 3–5 year old attending 6 hours a day pay nothing out of pocket. Under-3 families on a WINZ subsidy typically pay $1–$2 per hour after funding.
Select sessions to build a personalised weekly plan. The builder will flag any time clashes.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Select sessions from the schedule to build your child's week.
Every teacher, reliever and volunteer holds a current safety check under the Children's Act 2014. Renewed every three years.
Pēpē 1:3 (minimum 1:5), Teina 1:5 (minimum 1:6), Tuakana 1:7 (minimum 1:10). We never go above our own ratios.
Keypad entry for authorised people only. CCTV on all gates and the car park. Visitor sign-in at the front desk.
SPF50 applied at 9am and after lunch from September to April. Hats compulsory outdoors. Shade sails over all play areas.
Individual plans for every child with allergies, asthma, or medical conditions. Epi-pens stored and two staff trained in each room. Nut-free centre.
Earthquake, fire, and tsunami drills every term. 72-hour survival kits in every room. Tsunami zone evacuation route practised twice yearly.
| Credential | Body | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Early learning licence EL-1247 | Ministry of Education | Current |
| ERO evaluation: Well Placed | Education Review Office, Nov 2024 | Next review 2027 |
| Enviroschools Silver | Toimata Foundation | Since 2022 |
| 100% qualified teachers | Teaching Council of Aotearoa NZ | All hold current practising certificates |
| First aid certified (all staff) | St John | Renewed annually |
"Aroha started at Little Kauri at eight months. She is four now and can name every native bird in Bason Reserve. The bush walks are not a gimmick — they are the programme. She asks to go on weekends."
"We moved from Auckland and the waitlist was two months for the Pēpē room. Worth it. The ratios are better than anywhere we looked in the city, and the teachers actually know our daughter's sleep patterns."
"My son has a severe egg allergy and they manage it without making him feel different. His medical plan is on every fridge, and they check every packed lunch. I have never had a single incident call."
"The 20 Free Hours plus the WINZ subsidy means we pay $4 a day out of pocket for our three-year-old. I did not think we could afford quality childcare, but Little Kauri proved me wrong."
A named water bottle, a hat (wide brim or bucket), a full change of clothes, nappies and wipes if applicable, and any comfort item. We supply sunscreen, sheets, and art materials.
Three free visits before the start date. The first is one hour with a parent present, the second is two hours with a parent nearby, and the third is a full morning without a parent. We adjust if your child needs more time.
Pēpē tamariki stay on-site. The bush walks are for Teina and Tuakana rooms, always with a 1:4 ratio, first aid kits, a mobile phone, and a signed risk management plan. Routes are on formed tracks in Kowhai Park and Bason Reserve.
Parents are welcome any time. Ring the bell, sign in at the front desk, and a teacher will meet you. We ask that you avoid the first 30 minutes of the morning session (9–9:30) as this is when children are settling into their activity.
Yes. We are open 50 weeks a year, closing only for the two weeks over Christmas/New Year (23 Dec – 5 Jan) and public holidays. There is no change to fees during school holidays.
Children must stay home for 24 hours after the last episode of vomiting, diarrhoea, or fever. We will call you to collect within the hour if symptoms appear during the day. No charge for sick days with a doctor's note.
Te reo is woven through the day — greetings, commands, waiata, and kai-time karakia. Monday and Wednesday afternoons have dedicated te reo sessions led by Whaea Mere, a fluent speaker. We follow a bilingual approach, not immersion.
Four weeks' written notice. If your child is starting school, we coordinate with local primary schools (St Anne's, Whanganui Intermediate, Carlton) for a smooth transition in Term 4.