We believe quality early childhood education makes a significant difference in the way a child learns and develops throughout their life.
We believe quality early childhood education makes a significant difference in the way a child learns and develops throughout their life.
Whether your family's needs are session-based kindergarten or full-day early education we have something to suit and likely not far from home. We have 29 kindergartens and 8 early education centres in Hamilton city and surrounding areas.
The latest Education Review Office report of our organisation can be found below:
Great question!
You have plenty of options for early education in the Waikato and should be able to choose the right one for your family.
We offer kindergartens, early education centres, and homebased education options to ensure we can match a service to your own specific needs. And we've been around for 80 years, so have a proud history of providing only the best preschool education.
Unlike schools, our centres are not zoned and therefore you can enrol your child at the centre of your choice.
If you are looking for quality childcare in Hamilton, Cambridge, Ngaruawahia, Raglan or Te Kowhai see our checklist on why we are the right choice.
To secure your space we encourage enrolments from birth. We can then give you an approximate start date.
We offer 20 ECE Hours - which means we are part of the government scheme which allows all children over three years old to attest their 20 ECE hours at any Kindergartens Waikato or EEW Centre.
You can get a good estimate on costs, for your own situation, by using our Fee Calculator on the right-hand side of the homepage.
Please call us 0800 CHILDREN (244 537) for a complete fee structure.
Refer to the individual service pages for specific hours available.
Your child should bring:
If your child is attending one of our Early Education Waikato centres they should also bring bottle/s of milk or formula if required. A cook prepares quality healthy and nutritious meals at Early Education Waikato centres.
If they are attending kindergarten, also bring healthy food & drink.
NB some of our kindergartens are part of the KidsCan Early Education Programme so children attending also receive a daily healthy lunch, a warm jacket, shoes and socks, dinosaur gumboots, headlice treatment and a comb. Please enquire if your preferred kindergarten is part of this programme.
Use one of the following methods:
At kindergartens and centres:
We never have a dull moment! Our qualified teachers carefully plan programmes that prepare your child for school.
Learning Activities: Teachers provide learning extensions which include numeracy and numbers, literacy and language, nature and science, computers and technology, puzzles and games, creative arts, sand and water play, trips, transition to school programme, child friendships...and more!
Mat Time: Children work together to share daily information, stories, songs, movement, drama and waiata.
At homebased education:
The children will be excited to see their educator every day, with all sorts of fun and educational activities awaiting them.
Community opportunities: Educators provide regular opportunities for children to explore the world through PlayGroup, Gym, Mainly Music, Parks and local events.
Homebased education: Educators create wonderful plans and ideas to educate and create with your child in a real world setting, with nature and science, puzzles and games, creative arts, sand and water play, trips, transition to school programme, child friendships and so much more.
Our qualified staff carefully plan programmes that fulfill the early childhood curriculum. We aim to ensure children are competent, confident and successful learners. Children will learn and develop:
Early Education Waikato offers comprehensive Homebased Education throughout the Waikato.
The latest Education Review Office reports on our homebased networks can be found below:
We have Homebased Educators in Hamilton, Cambridge and Ngaruawahia.
Check out their profiles on our Find a Place pages.
To secure your space we encourage enrolments from birth. We can then give you an approximate start date based on Educator vacancies.
We offer 20 ECE Hours - which means we are part of the government scheme which allows all children over three years old to have 20 hours at Early Education Waikato Homebased Education.
A 10% discount applies with enrolment of a second child who attends Homebased care.
Please call us 0800 CHILDREN (244 537) for a complete fee structure.
Many Educators bring significant experience, skills, interests and expertise. They are individually police vetted, referee checked and hold a First Aid Certificate.
We recommend you visit a few Educators to see who fits best for your childrens needs and interests. This will be arranged for you with our Visiting Teachers.
Each of our Educators have their own profile on our website. Visit and check out all our Educators here.
Use one of the following methods:
The children will be excited to see their Educator every day, with all sorts of fun and educational activities awaiting them.
Community Opportunities: Educators provide regular opportunities for children to explore the world through PlayGroup, Gym, Mainly Music, Parks and local events.
Homebased Education: Educators create wonderful plans and ideas to educate and create with your child in a real world setting, with nature & science, puzzles & games, creative arts, sand & water play, trips, transition to school programme, child friendships and more!
'My Journal' describes each day: Your child will receive their own personalised journal that the Educator will fill in every day with stories, activities and achievements.
Our Educators carefully plan day-to-day activities and learning experiences that fulfil the early childhood curriculum. They aim to ensure children are competent, confident and successful learners. Children will learn and develop:
We would love to have you become an educator.
Visit our Join Our Team > Homebased Educators page to see more on what we can offer you as part of the Early Education Waikato Homebased team.
