A kindergarten for children aged 2 to 6 at 51 Edinburgh Street in Spreydon, formerly Building Blocks Community Kindergarten and now part of Te Whare Rama. It is licensed for 30 children, and its large, grassy outdoor area has a whare and pā, vegetable gardens and trees. Children help plant and harvest the vegetables. Te ao Māori and te reo me ngā tikanga Māori run through the programme, and the centre offers leadership and decision-making roles to children, with links to feeder schools to ease the move. It supports children with diverse needs, holds parent evenings and whānau events, and offers 20 free hours. Phone 03 338 5465.
Parents say the teachers are caring and patient, and that their children have grown in confidence and social skills. One says the warm atmosphere welcomed their son with open arms. Others describe the staff as hands-on and kind, and say their children feel safe, happy and engaged each day. Nearby, BestStart Barrington, 0.9 km away, has the same rating with 23 reviews, and Te Whare Rama's Lyttelton Street centre is 0.6 km away. Our pick in Spreydon for a Māori-focused start for four-year-olds.