Wakefield Village Kindergarten is a play-based kindergarten at 20 Whitby Way in Wakefield, in the Tasman region near Nelson. The kindergarten's programme uses children's natural motivation to play, with child-initiated and teacher-supported learning. Loose parts play is central to it, with moveable materials that encourage children to explore, build and solve problems. The kindergarten also teaches sustainable living through modelling and experience, such as reducing its ecological footprint.
Children make frequent trips into the community, and the kindergarten is close to Faulkner Bush, Wakefield Homestead and Wakefield School. Its teachers see themselves as co-learners who work alongside children, and it describes its aim as a relaxed place where children, parents and teachers feel part of the community. Its food guidance follows the Ministry of Health advice on reducing food-related choking in young children. The site shows opening hours of 7.45am to 5pm and says the kindergarten is closed on public holidays. Families who want to see it are invited to visit and meet the kaiako.