Paraone Kindergarten is a Central Kids kindergarten at 4 Paraone Street in Taumarunui, in the central North Island, set among mountains, rivers and national parks. Its outdoor environment is the largest in the local area, and children can explore, play and care for pet rabbits, a turtle and an axolotl.
The kindergarten follows Te Whāriki and is bilingual, with te reo Māori used in signage, conversation, waiata and karakia. It works with the values of whanaungatanga, manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga, and takes children on regular trips around the Taumarunui community. The Central Kids association has provided early childhood education since 1951, and it runs 47 kindergartens across the central North Island. The kindergarten is supported by KidsCan, which means children receive free kai, clothing and health products, including a fleece-lined jacket, shoes, socks, daily snacks and healthy lunches. One parent says the staff are very caring, and that a second child has joined after the first.