For more than 100 years, AKA Kindergartens have been providing high-quality, affordable early childhood education and care for tamariki and their whānau.
With a commitment to 100% qualified teachers, our kindergartens offer an exceptional start to your child’s learning journey — fostering curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning that will support them as they move on to school and beyond.
Our kindergartens are well known for their large, natural outdoor spaces — filled with real grass, trees, and gardens — where tamariki can explore, play, and connect with the natural world. These environments encourage hands-on discovery and help children develop a strong sense of belonging and care for Papatūānuku (the Earth).
Each kindergarten follows Te Whāriki, the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum, with a focus on learning through play.
As a charitable organisation, we’re dedicated to keeping early childhood education accessible and affordable, ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
Kindergarten terms for 2026 are:
Term 1: 20 January – 2 April
Term 2: 20 April – 3 July
Term 3: 20 July – 25 September
Term 4: 12 October – 18 December
All our kindergartens are closed on weekends and public holidays. Most AKA kindergartens close during school term breaks, the exception being Fonua ‘Alaha Manongi and Glenavon kindergartens. Please refer to the individual kindergarten webpages for specific hours available at the kindergarten of your choice.
Our KiNZ Early Childhood Education & Childcare Centres are open right through the term break and offer hours from 7.30am to 5.30pm for parents looking for full day childcare options. Visit each centre’s webpage for details.
All kindergartens offer either 6 or 7 hours per day. You can choose the days that your child will attend. Availability hours for kindergarten will vary between centres.
Get in touch by filling out our quick and easy contact form. Someone from your preferred kindergarten will call or email you to talk you through the enrolment process and make sure you are on their waiting list. Even if you just want more information, we can help!
Waiting lists vary from kindergarten to kindergarten. After you get in touch, your child may be able to start kindergarten right away or you may need to wait until there is space at your preferred kindergarten. There are always children leaving to go to school, vacant spots come up all the time. This is why there are no set cut off dates for kindergarten enrolment.
It’s a good idea to visit your local kindergartens, talk with the teaching team and get a feel for the centre before you decide. You are welcome to pop in to any of our kindergartens in Auckland anytime and say hi!
We recommend that you begin the kindergarten enrolment process early on, when your child is at about 2 years old.
Most kindergartens enrol children between the ages of two and five years old, but placement is subject to availability. Kindergartens are very popular, and most have waiting lists. Their popularity is related to both their relatively low cost and their high-quality education. That’s why we strongly recommend that your child is on the waiting list at your chosen centre well before you want them to start going to kindergarten.
Get in touch with your local kindergarten to find out at what age they are accepting children.
If you are looking for childcare for children under the age of two, please contact one of our KiNZ Early Childhood Education & Childcare Centres.
Kindergarten is one of the most affordable options for early childhood education, while still providing high-quality learning experiences led by qualified teachers.
All children aged 3-5 years can access up to 20 hours of government-funded early childhood education each week.
If your child attends kindergarten for more than 20 hours each week, a small fee applies to the additional hours, typically $7 to $10 per hour. These fees are designed to remain affordable for families.
As a charitable trust, AKA reinvests all parent donations directly into children’s learning, teaching resources, and kindergarten environments. Parent donations are voluntary, tax-deductible, and help us continue to provide high-quality education and experiences for tamariki.
Additional financial support may also be available through government programmes such as the WINZ Childcare Subsidy and FamilyBoost.
As fees and attendance options vary between kindergartens, we recommend contacting your local kindergarten for information about the costs and attendance arrangements that best suit your family’s needs.
When your child turns 3, they become eligible for the Government’s 20 Hours ECE funding, which is available until they start school.
By choosing AKA for your child’s 20 funded hours, provided the same hours are not claimed by multiple services, funding is available for up to 6 hours per day and 20 hours per week.
For more information about the 20 Hours ECE scheme, visit the Ministry of Education website.
Kindergartens are inclusive places and we welcome all children and their families. Our qualified teachers are able to work with families to meet every child’s needs. Please share with the teachers if you have any learning or health information about your child. This will help the teachers be prepared to best support you and your child.
