Co Kids Moorhouse Ave is a Christchurch childcare and early learning centre, part of the wider Co Kids group which also operates centres in Auckland (Lincoln Road, Henderson, since 2016) and Wellington (Thorndon Quay, since late 2018). At Moorhouse Ave, the centre blends elements of the Emmi Pikler and RIE approaches for its youngest children with a Reggio Emilia-inspired approach for children over three, built around respectful, responsive care and learning through exploration and play.
A standout feature of the Christchurch centre is its onsite vegetable garden, which children help tend and gather from to contribute seasonal vegetables to the centre's nutritious, sugar-free daily menu, prepared by an onsite chef. The centre also has a dedicated, separate Babies Room and outdoor area designed specifically for its youngest learners, offering a calm, secure space suited to crawling, walking and early exploration before transitioning into the wider preschool programme.
Co Kids aims to maintain strong teacher-to-child ratios during peak learning times — 1:3 for under-1s, 1:4 for under-2s, 1:6 for over-2s and 1:8 for over-3s — and says around 80 percent of its teaching team are fully qualified, with many having been part of the Co Kids community for more than five years. The centre supports families with FamilyBoost and WINZ subsidy guidance, offers flexible fee options (full day, 8 hour, and 6.5 hour), a 10 percent sibling discount, and a daily 30-minute Transition to School programme for children over four.
Co Kids Moorhouse Ave is the Christchurch centre within the wider Co Kids group, which also runs centres in Auckland (Lincoln Road, Henderson) and Wellington (Thorndon Quay). At Moorhouse Ave, the centre's teaching philosophy draws on the Emmi Pikler and RIE theories for its youngest children, built around respectful education and care practices, while children over three are guided by an approach inspired by Reggio Emilia — encouraging creativity, problem solving, and learning through exploration and play.
One of the centre's distinctive features is its onsite vegetable garden, which gives children a hands-on opportunity to grow and gather seasonal vegetables that go into the centre's nutritious, sugar-free menu, prepared by an onsite chef. It's framed as more than just a gardening activity — it's designed to build a sense of community and responsibility as children see their contribution reflected in what ends up on their plate.
The centre's Babies Room, along with its own outdoor area, is located separately from the rest of the centre, giving the youngest children a nurturing, secure environment tailored to their stage of development — from crawling and walking through to exploring and discovering. This separation allows staff to tailor care and activities specifically for babies while also keeping them safe as they build early motor skills, before a gentle, gradual transition into the wider preschool programme. For toddlers and preschoolers, individual classrooms sit alongside two spacious shared play areas, designed to minimise transitions, let siblings share in each other's day, and let older children mentor younger peers.
Co Kids aims to maintain teacher-to-child ratios of 1 teacher to 3 children under 1, 1 to 4 for under 2s, 1 to 6 for over 2s, and 1 to 8 for over 3s during peak learning times. Around 80 percent of the teaching team are fully qualified, and many have been part of the Co Kids community for more than five years. Nappies and wet wipes are provided, and children are served a fresh daily menu for morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea, made without refined sugar.
The centre helps families navigate financial support options, including guidance on the Government's FamilyBoost payment — which can return up to 40 percent of childcare fees, with rebates of up to $120 per week for eligible families — and assistance completing the centre's section of the WINZ subsidy application. Flexible fee options are available across full day, 8 hour, and 6.5 hour care, and families with more than one child enrolled can access a 10 percent sibling discount. At the time of writing, new families joining Moorhouse Ave can also access 50% off their first two months, though promotions are subject to terms and conditions best confirmed with the Centre Manager.
For children over four, the centre runs a daily 30-minute Transition to School programme, designed to build confidence and help ease the move into primary school life.
Parent reviews describe teachers as trustworthy, nurturing and respectful, praise the spacious and well-designed indoor and outdoor areas, and highlight staff going the extra mile to meet each child's individual needs so they feel safe and valued.