A home-like kindergarten on Hazelmere Crescent in the rural township of Te Awamutu, with a large outdoor area for children to run, explore and climb. Indoors it is calm and inviting, with room for small groups to play. The kindergarten is part of Central Kids, a non-profit association that has run early childhood education since 1951 and has 47 kindergartens across the central North Island. Te reo Māori and its customs are woven through the day, and the kindergarten holds bronze Enviroschools accreditation, so children spend a lot of time learning about the natural environment. The teaching team is fully qualified and works with families to build relationships. Te Whāriki guides the learning, and the play is child-led, so children move at their own pace. A parent whose son attended for a couple of years says he thrived, became more independent, and was ready for school, and that the kaiako are dedicated.