KiNZ Ōtara provides exceptional education and childcare for tamariki aged 2-6 years old, conveniently located close to Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) in Ōtara. We’re open from 8am until 4pm, perfect for families needing that extra bit of flexibility and for those with school aged tamariki. We offer our families 40 hours childcare a week, including all meals for just $25. 

Strong connections – At KiNZ Ōtara we pride ourselves on our strong relationships with tamariki, parents and whānau. Many of our whānau have been involved in the centre for several years, enrolling siblings and other whānau members, such as cousins. Some of our parents and whānau used to attend the centre decades ago when it was Clydemore Kindergarten. The team love enhancing these connections over time.

Committed teaching team – Many of our own kaiako (teachers) have been at KiNZ Ōtara for up to 15 years – as long as the centre has been open. The consistency of care and learning support is important to the team and is appreciated by parents and whānau.

Community learning – We have strong relationships with some local community groups such as Ōtara Health and Ōtara Library. We are very proud to be involved in the Pūoro Pīrere Programme with Sistema Aotearoa, which works to unleash the potential of tamariki, whānau and communities through orchestral music making. Our tamariki love these music sessions, learning with talented musicians who play the violin and other instruments in the sessions.

Health and wellbeing – We support the health needs of our tamariki by having the dental van come to the centre a few times each year and check the teeth of tamariki and do some minor treatments on site. We hold monthly Plunket Clinics on site too for the B4 School Checks.

KiNZ Ōtara holds the Pā-Harakeke (Gold) Level of the Healthy Heart Award. We have received it four successive times as it is very important for us to promote healthy eating and physical activity for tamariki and whānau. We provide nutritious morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea daily.

Freedom to play – Our large outdoor space gives tamariki lots of opportunities for moving including running, climbing, swinging, skipping, digging (in our two big sandpits) and riding child size bikes. Movement supports brain development as we believe a moving child is a learning child, which is the heart of the Moving to Learn Programme, which we embed in our Programnme.

Specialist care – Our kaiako are skilled in implementing the Incredible Years Programme which supports young children with their social, emotional and academic competence. All of our qualified kaiako have completed the Incredible Years training.

Kaiako also support the self-regulation of tamariki with their implementation of the ENGAGE Programme, which supports three domains of learning: emotional (feeling), cognitive (thinking) and behavioural (doing). The Programme is implemented by playing ENGAGE games each day, with an intentional focus on supporting tamariki to develop specific skills that they need to thrive in an early learning setting (and later at school) and to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.

We would love to meet you and show you around our wonderful centre, contact us today to book a time that suits.