Whānau Manaaki Kindergartens

Whānau Manaaki offers early childhood education through its 110 kindergartens situated from Waiouru to Balclutha.

Their regions include the Central Plateau, Whanganui, Northern Manawatu, Horowhenua, Kapiti Coast, Porirua, Wairarapa, Upper Hutt, Petone, Eastbourne, Wellington and South Otago.

Each Whānau Manaaki kindergarten is different, and is nestled in its community, and their programme responds to the needs and aspirations of the families that belong to that community. They have kindergartens in large and small cities, towns, rural communities, on the army base at Waiouru, and at Te Papa Tongarewa National Museum in Whanganui-a-tara, Wellington.

Some of the Whānau Manaakikindergartens take babies and toddlers as well as two- to five-year-olds, some are open for longer days, and most are open in the term breaks (school holidays).

They are not-for-profit and they work hard to keep our services affordable, with 20 hours free for most children (regardless of age) and low fees after 20 hours.

Around 5,000 children are enrolled in their kindergartens, and they also offer a Pasifika focused homebased early childhood programme, Etu Ao, in Porirua and Horowhenua.

They have a variety of contracts that provide social services to support our families, in areas including health, housing, financial literacy, and employment. They have a Pasifika unit, Piri’anga Alofa, that enables us to employ community and social workers and provide Pacific and Community services that make a positive difference to the lives of others in ways that empower and build communities.

Their Piri’anga Alofa services include a transport service, Le Fale jobs and skills hub based in Cannon’s Creek in Porirua, and various social service and health contracts in our communities

. Children and families engaged in Whānau Manaaki services get a great start in a caring community environment.

Link to Whānau Manaaki Kindergartens: