Active Explorers Kaiwharawhara is an early learning centre at 172 Hutt Road, Kaiwharawhara, Wellington, part of the Evolve Education Group. The centre focuses on cultural connection, kindness and curiosity, offering care and education for infants, toddlers and preschoolers in a light-filled space with views over Wellington Harbour, where children can watch trains, planes and boats pass by.
The centre is led by Centre Manager Rebecca, whose journey in Early Childhood Education began over 25 years ago as a nanny, and who has since taught in various roles in New Zealand and abroad. She is a mother of two and brings both her parenting and educator experience into creating the centre's environment. She's supported by Assistant Manager Christy, Centre Admin Sonish, and a team of kaiako including Mary, Mara, Cameron, Oli, Tejal, Lizzie, Venus, Lu and Kees.
The centre currently welcomes infants, toddlers and young learners into mixed-age spaces — Whātaitai (0–18 months), Te Keo (18 months–3.5 years) and Ngake (3.5–5 years) — with plans to expand into dedicated age-based rooms as it grows. Days are filled with creativity, storytelling, music and movement, with large classrooms, glass partitions and covered outdoor decks allowing all-weather play.
Active Explorers Kaiwharawhara offers lunches/food, excursions, school transition support, Storypark updates for families, a large outdoor area, and both standard ECE and extended hours. The centre also participates in the 20 Hours ECE scheme for children aged 3–5.
Overlooking Wellington Harbour on Hutt Road, Active Explorers Kaiwharawhara has built its reputation on turning everyday moments — a passing train, a boat on the harbour, a plane overhead — into small, magical learning opportunities for the children in its care.
Centre Manager Rebecca's path into early childhood education started more than 25 years ago as a nanny, and since then she has taught in a range of roles both in New Zealand and abroad. As a mother of two, she brings both a parent's and an educator's perspective to the centre, aiming to create a warm, welcoming space where children can grow and thrive. She's supported by Assistant Manager Christy, Centre Admin Sonish, and a team of kaiako — Mary, Mara, Cameron, Oli, Tejal, Lizzie, Venus, Lu and Kees — who the centre says bring heart, humour, and personal passions ranging from messy play and art to storytelling.
The centre itself is light-filled and spacious, with large classrooms, glass partitions, and covered outdoor decks that keep play going regardless of weather. Its position by Wellington Harbour means children get to watch trains, planes and boats pass by throughout the day — a detail the centre highlights as part of what makes ordinary moments feel special for young learners.
Active Explorers Kaiwharawhara currently welcomes infants, toddlers and young learners into mixed-age spaces, with plans to expand into dedicated age-based rooms as the centre grows. Whātaitai rūma serves babies from 0 to 18 months, offering a calm space built around sensory play, music, and hands-on activities. Te Keo rūma takes over from 18 months to 3.5 years, giving toddlers room to get messy with paint, listen to stories, and use the centre's big outdoor deck for running and jumping. Ngake rūma, for children 3.5 to 5 years, leans further into creativity and curiosity through messy play, storytelling, and group projects.
Active Explorers Kaiwharawhara publishes a clear fee schedule built around three session types: a morning session (8:30am–12:30pm), an afternoon session (1:00pm–5:00pm), and a 6-hour session (9:00am–3:00pm). For children under 3, sessions, 6-hour blocks, and full days are all charged at $10.50 per hour, with a discounted full-week rate of $420. For children over 3, the same $10.50-per-hour rate applies once a child's 20 Hours ECE entitlement has been used, with a discounted full-week rate of $290.
The centre participates in the 20 Hours ECE scheme, meaning childcare for children aged 3 to 5 can be fully subsidised for up to 6 hours a day and 20 hours a week, once parents complete an Attestation Form allocating their full entitlement to the centre. New families can also currently ask about a 30 Hours Free promotion, valid for 3 months for new enrolments starting from 1 January 2026, subject to terms and conditions.
Parent reviews consistently describe a warm, family-feeling environment with strong communication. One parent described her daughter, who started at 9 months old, thriving under "amazing" teachers who go "above and beyond," with daily reports and photo updates keeping her informed throughout the day. Another praised how the team kept them updated on their son's new skills and milestones, while a parent of a 19-month-old described the extra comfort and support the Infants Room team provided during a difficult settling-in period.
Active Explorers Kaiwharawhara is open Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 6:00pm. Families can book a tour, get in touch directly by phone or email, or follow the centre's day-to-day activities on Facebook.