Co Kids Thorndon Quay is an early childhood education centre in the historic, vibrant Wellington suburb of Thorndon, catering to tamariki aged 0 to 5 years. Opened in late 2018, it has become a well-regarded early learning centre for families in the Wellington community, and is part of the wider Co Kids network alongside centres in Auckland (Lincoln Road) and Christchurch (Moorhouse Ave).
The centre draws on the principles of Emmi Pikler and RIE for its youngest children, building a teaching philosophy around respect, calm interactions, and responsive, unhurried care, with kaiako taking time to observe and support each child so they can lead their own learning. For children over three, the approach shifts toward Reggio Emilia-inspired learning, encouraging creativity, curiosity and discovery through play.
The centre is organised across three distinct learning spaces connected by a modern kitchen, plus a dedicated Babies Room with its own indoor and outdoor areas, kept separate from the older groups so infants can explore at their own pace. Meals are freshly prepared onsite each day by a dedicated cook using wholefoods and no refined sugars, with a fresh daily menu covering morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.
Co Kids Thorndon Quay maintains defined teacher-to-child ratios, offers flexible full-day and 8-hour session options, and helps families navigate financial support including the FamilyBoost rebate and WINZ subsidy applications. A Transition to School programme supports children over four as they prepare for primary school, and a 10% sibling discount is available for families with more than one child enrolled.
Co Kids Thorndon Quay sits at 170 Thorndon Quay, in the historic and vibrant inner-city Wellington suburb of Thorndon, offering early childhood education for tamariki aged 0 to 5 years. Opened in late 2018, the centre has grown into a well-regarded part of the local early learning community, and belongs to the wider Co Kids network, which also runs centres in Auckland (Lincoln Road) and Christchurch (Moorhouse Ave).
Co Kids Thorndon draws on the principles of Emmi Pikler and RIE for its teaching approach with the youngest children — a philosophy centred on respect, calm interactions, and responsive, unhurried care. Kaiako take time to observe and understand each child, allowing them to lead their own learning with confidence, rather than following a rigid, adult-directed structure. As children move past age three, the centre shifts toward a Reggio Emilia-inspired approach, encouraging creativity, curiosity, and learning through exploration and play.
The centre is organised into three distinct learning spaces, connected by a modern kitchen at its heart, each designed to meet children where they are developmentally while still creating a sense of flow across the centre. A dedicated Babies Room, with its own indoor and outdoor areas, gives the youngest learners a peaceful, secure environment set apart from the pace and noise of the older groups — supporting everything from early movement and motor skills to gentle exploration. For toddlers and preschoolers, individually designed classrooms sit alongside two spacious shared play areas, which bring siblings together, let older children mentor younger peers, and build a culture of empathy and community.
Meals at Co Kids Thorndon are freshly prepared onsite each day by a dedicated cook, using wholefoods and no refined sugars. Children share in a calm, predictable meal routine across morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea that supports independence and healthy eating habits from an early age.
The centre maintains defined teacher-to-child ratios during peak learning times — 1 teacher to 3 children under one, 1 to 4 for under twos, 1 to 6 for over twos, and 1 to 8 for children over three — aimed at ensuring each child gets the attention they need. Around 80 percent of the teaching team are fully qualified, and many have been with Co Kids for more than five years.
For families navigating the cost of childcare, Co Kids Thorndon offers flexible full-day and 8-hour session options, and can help guide families through the FamilyBoost rebate and the WINZ subsidy application process. Families enrolling more than one child can also access a 10% sibling discount. For children over four, a dedicated Transition to School programme helps build the confidence and early skills needed for the move to primary school.
Across the wider Co Kids network, the centres honour the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi by weaving te reo Māori and tikanga Māori into daily practices and centre environments, creating a shared bicultural foundation for children to grow up with an understanding and appreciation of Aotearoa's heritage.
Families can enquire about enrolment, current promotions, and availability directly with the Co Kids Thorndon Quay centre manager, or reach out through the centre's online enquiry form.