Quality childcare in Thorndon, Wellington

Continue your learning journey at City Kids

City Kids supports families/whānau and their children over 23 months of age on both a full-time and part-time basis. We offer an incredible environment for your child, and exceptional value.

We operate with high teacher to children ratios, with a commitment to a 1:7 ratio at all times. Most of the day there are at least four teachers working with the children. Usually, at kai times there is an additional support teacher. At the quieter times in the early morning and close to the end of the day there is always at least two teachers. Additional teaching time covers all breaks, excursions, generous teacher-release time and any teacher leave.

City Kids is open all year with the exception of statutory holidays and two weeks over the Christmas period. We operate between 7.30am and 5.30pm Monday to Friday.

As a licensed early childhood care and education centre City Kids receives Ministry of Education funding for subsidised rates. We also provide a nutritious morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and late snack, all made by our onsite cook taking into account the elements of a balanced healthy diet.

We have full-time places and two part-time places for children aged two years and over at the beginning of 2022

Our Kaupapa
Our vision for City Kids is to create an environment and community that fosters relationships, enabling respectful and inclusive learning for young children and whānau of the 21st century.

We are committed to the principles of the New Zealand early childhood curriculum, Te Whāriki, He Whāriki Mātauranga mō ngā Mokopuna o Aotearoa – the strands of the woven mat for the children of New Zealand.

Be Kind, Be Safe
We place strong emphasis on our environment providing a high level of caring and kind interactions. Our "Be kind, Be safe" motto creates a strong foundation where our children experience an environment where relationships promote respect, empathy and trust.

Parent and Whānau Aspirations
Our vision and our philosophy leads our commitment to working in partnership with our families/whānau and to be responsive to their aspirations for their aspirations for their children's learning.

Heritage, Location, Community

City Kids has been operating since 1986 from a beautiful double storied double bay Villa in Thorndon, Wellington. It boasts a large natural outdoor area, which is often hard to find in the inner city.

City Kids is a not for profit early childhood centre and is owned and governed by the parents whose children attend, meaning that we are here for the families and children. Any profit goes straight back into City Kids to make improvements.

City Kids premises are owned and governed by current parents in conjunction with the teaching team.

Our Commitment

Introducing new experiences, challenges and discoveries in addition to providing educational and creative programs that are based on individual and group interests and observations.
Promoting honest and open communication with our families, respecting their rights and opinions.
Encouraging family involvement and feedback into the development and delivery of our educational programs.
Providing a learning environment where positive sense of self and confidence are instilled. Encouraging our children to work through challenges, view mistakes as part of learning, and take positive actions to solve problems.
Creating experiences that reflect and embrace the cultures of Aotearoa.
Providing a safe, fun, homelike and inclusive environment for our children to play, explore, and develop positive social interactions.

Passion, Expertise, Support
Our emergent curriculum process is based on our early childhood curriculum, Te Whāriki (2017). We use the curriculum assessment and planning filter of noticing, recognising, responding, recording and revisiting to support our spontaneous interactions and our planned experiences.

Our excellent teacher to child ratios support your child to inquire and explore at their own pace, with a teacher easily available to talk with them and extend their learning and interest by asking questions and listening to what is driving their curiosity.

A daily schedule ensures that there are "time markers" for your child to understand the pace of each day that focuses on routine times and planned daily music and literacy experiences.

We have private e-portfolios available to parents and whānau so they can see photos and videos of your child's day and special events.

Parents and whānau can also add their own stories and make comments on the children's learning stories. This e-portfolio belongs to your family, and you can take it with you when your child is ready to move on from City Kids.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for please contact our Supervisor on 04 473 1947, or email us at supervisor@citykids.org.nz