Children are born curious. They explore, question, and delight in the world. Our job is to give them the richest environment to learn—indoors and out.
From the start, children are ready. Their minds seek discovery. Their senses open to beauty and wonder. For curiosity to bloom, children need care for body, heart, and mind.
At Kakapo Creek, we create that environment with intention. Our teachers act like master gardeners—nurturing growth so your child can flourish with joy. In this warm, nature-rich space, children learn at their own pace, held by genuine relationships. We see learning as a joyful dance between curiosity and connection.
Extraordinary spaces for discovery
Our award-winning building and nature-rich outdoor areas invite movement, exploration, and wonder.
Rich, sensory learning
From climbing and gardening to storytelling and music, children learn with their whole bodies and all their senses.
Highly qualified, deeply attuned teachers
With generous teacher–child ratios, our team offers responsive, relationship-based teaching.
Trusted attachment partners
Kaiako (teachers) are trained in attachment and provide a secure base, extending your child’s circle of connection while they are here.
Opportunities for inquiry
Children ask questions, follow interests, and grow into confident, creative thinkers.
Nature surrounds our Mairangi Bay centre—trees, ferns, and a creek with eels, fish, and ducks. Children go outside daily to explore, notice seasons, and care for living things.
For full immersion, our weekly Farm School day at our Northern Campus in Silverdale gives children time to roam bush, care for animals, and grow food. Learn more on our Farm School page.
Mixed-age classrooms consistently show advantages over single-age settings. Children learn at their own pace, practise older–younger peer mentoring (tuakana–teina [older–younger]), and experience fewer disruptive transitions.
Deep relationships, more attention
Fewer transitions mean teachers get to truly know you and your child over several years. Being known helps children feel safe and loved. Our teachers build strong bonds with each child and family.
Consistency children can trust
Transitions to new classrooms are tough on preschoolers – and parents too! Our mixed age classrooms mean that our preschoolers don’t have their teacher and classroom attachment relationships disrupted. We use consistent caregivers, who work five days a week, so birthdays do not trigger classroom moves. Stable teaching teams support emotional and social growth. Our classroom teachers work five days a week, so your child sees familiar faces every day.
Designed for all ages, rich in challenge
We choose resources that are safe for three- to five-year-olds yet stimulating for varied interests and abilities. The environment invites collaboration, leadership, and care for others. Our opt in and out enrichment programs provide tailor-made extension learning for children with various needs, interests and academic capabilities.
What research suggests
Studies of mixed-age grouping report gains in social competence, language development, and peer mentoring, along with lower stress from fewer transitions. These benefits align with our attachment-rich approach.
In addition to our general preschool curriculum we enrich learning with specialist-led sessions that extend children’s skills in a structured, teacher-led format. These optional preschool enrichment programs run in small groups so every child engages, participates, and progresses. Enrichment Programs operate during each term, taking a break for school holidays.
Examples of Kiri Enrichment Programs include:
Kiri Sports with specialist coaches
Kiri Chefs Cooking and nutrition
Kiri Carpentry and tool skills
Kiri Music and dance
STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, maths)
Children look forward to these sessions and enjoy hands-on, fun learning guided by expert teachers.
Fees: See our Fees & Options for costs.
Waitlists often apply to these programs and therefore we prioritise our waitlist according to age to ensure that all children get an opportunity before they go to school.
Our preschool cooking program turns little learners into confident kitchen helpers. Children cook hands-on recipes that highlight farm-to-table ideas, seasonal eating, and cultural diversity. Each term features a fresh theme, so children explore new flavours, techniques, and ingredients.
What children learn
Real-life skills: safe food prep, hygiene, and kitchen routines
Nutrition & healthy choices: what fuels our bodies and why
Sustainability: reducing waste and respecting where food comes from
Early academics: measuring and maths, recipe literacy, step-by-step sequencing
Every week, children take home a tasting sample and a family-friendly recipe so you can cook together and deepen the learning.
Fees: Kiri Chefs is an opt-in enrichment program with a small additional charge. See Fees & Options for details.
Our preschool STEAM program channels curiosity into hands-on experiments and design projects. Children explore the natural world, build simple machines, create art with purpose, and use numbers to measure, compare, and predict.
What children gain
Critical thinking & problem-solving: ask questions, test ideas, iterate
Collaboration & communication: plan together, share roles, present findings
Real-world connections: see how science, technology, engineering, arts, and maths work together
Field trip: At the end of each term, STEAM students go on a holiday field trip to deepen learning in the real world. Additional excursion fees apply.
Fees: Kiri STEAM is an opt-in enrichment program with a small additional charge. See Fees & Options for details.
Meet Mr Eric. He’s one of our next-door neighbours and a retired builder. He’s one of our Enrichment teachers who run opt-in sessions each week to enhance our preschooler’s learning and development.
Carpentry is offered on Wednesdays to all children and is included in your fees. Children sometimes construct items for special occasions that Mr Eric has created as ‘kit-sets’, such as bird houses, pen holders, picture frames… Other times they use various sizes and shapes of wood to nail, screw, hammer and drill into using their own creativity and imaginations. Children can take these creations home with them.
Kiri Carpentry is included in our fees.
Join our joyful preschool music and dance sessions with Raychel—our ukulele-playing, music-loving teacher. Children sing, move, and play real instruments while exploring rhythm, tempo, and musical styles from around the world.
What children gain
Gross and fine motor skills: jumps, spins, claps, finger plays
Coordination & balance: patterned movements and simple routines
Rhythm & timing: beat keeping, call-and-response, echo games
Confidence & expression: performing in small, supportive groups
Musical appreciation: props, percussion, and diverse genres
Children adore the lively songs, colourful props, and hands-on instruments—and they leave buzzing with confidence and joy. They also perform their dance and songs at our Kakapo Creek special events.
Kiri Music is included in our fees.
Our preschool sports program builds gross and fine motor skills through fun, structured games each week. Children practise:
Ball skills: throwing, catching, kicking, dribbling
Balance & coordination: hopping, jumping, rolling, core strength
Agility & spatial awareness: obstacle courses, relay games, movement patterns
Teamwork & sportsmanship: turn-taking, sharing, encouraging others
Led by our sport-loving teacher, sessions use specialist equipment sized for young children—cones, balance beams, hoops, balls, and targets. We run activities indoors and outdoors with clear safety routines and positive coaching.
Why it matters
Regular movement strengthens muscles and posture, improves hand–eye coordination, and boosts confidence, focus, and self-regulation. In an age of screens and passive activities, building balance, coordination, and strength helps children trust their bodies, move with confidence, and develop lifelong healthy habits.
Included in fees: Kiri Sports is available to all children at no extra cost. Participation is warmly encouraged.
We teach early literacy with a structured phonics approach and build numeracy with a sequenced program. Several teachers are primary-trained and use this expertise to prepare children for a strong start at school.
No child is pushed. Teachers watch for readiness and invite children in when interest appears. Most learning still happens through play, projects, and rich conversations.
The Tuakana program (for children nearing school age) offers small-group, formal sessions four times a week in our studio. We focus on:
phonics, early reading, and writing
number sense and problem-solving
self-help, confidence, and other “soft skills”
This gentle structure supports applications to private schools and sets children up for a confident transition to any primary school.
Fees: Tuakana School Readinessis an opt-in enrichment program with a small additional charge. See Fees & Options for details.
Once a week, Kakapo Creek Children are invited to an excursion to our Northern Campus—a day spent at our exclusive 1.2ha Farm School in Silverdale.
Here, children explore our one-acre bush, care for and learn about our animals—chickens, sheep, and fish—grow vegetables in our glass house and walled vegetable garden, and pick organic fruit from our orchard.
Preschool children can roam and explore our native bush and roll down grassy hills. This one-day-a-week farm school is in addition to our frequent exploration walks to the local playground and Mairangi Bay beach.
Note: our Farm School program is only for children over three and is an optional extra with additional charges.
What ages are in the preschool?
Children aged 3–5 in mixed-age classrooms.
What is your teacher–child ratio?
Approximately 1:8 for ages 3–5.
How often do children go to Farm School?
Once a week during term time at our Northern Campus in Silverdale.
How do I enrol in an Enrichment Program?
Enrichment programs run during term time and we have a waitlist based on parent wishes and the age of the child. Eldest children on the waitlist are prioritised. Bookings are per term and you can opt in or out at the end of each term (with notice).
Do you offer school-hours or long days?
Children may be enrolled either for school hours or long days – see our Fees page for enrolment options.
Starting school can feel big—for children and parents. Our Tuakana program eases the transition. Four days a week, our four-year-olds enjoy stress-free, play-based preparation for school.
Children practise:
pencil grip and early writing (including writing their name)
number and letter recognition
using a school lunchbox and opening wrappers
short mat times and simple group routines
Teachers use an internationally recognised, phonics-based approach for early literacy and numeracy—always through engaging, hands-on experiences.
Every child is unique. We pace learning to each child’s readiness and interests. Through ongoing conversation with families and careful observation, we offer the right next steps so children feel capable and proud.
We value the New Zealand Ministry of Education’s view that not all children are ready for school on their fifth birthday. Starting formal school too early can dent curiosity and confidence. At Kakapo Creek, children are welcome to remain with us until their sixth birthday when families feel extra time will help them mature and thrive. Our curriculum ensures they keep progressing—and often flourish as a result.
Need to know more about choosing a primary school for your child? We’ve created this useful information guide: “Choosing a School” to briefly inform parents about the NZ education system and give options.
