Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, he toa takitini
My strength is not mine alone, but the strength of many.

At Stoke Kindergarten, we believe in the power of working together. Our approach is grounded in collaboration — with tamariki, whānau, and our wider community — to build strong foundations for learning in a fun, supportive, and inclusive environment.

We foster respect, kindness, and care for one another and the world around us, creating a place where every child feels valued, connected, and empowered to thrive.

At Stoke Kindergarten, our environment is thoughtfully designed to support hands-on, real-world learning, blending the natural world seamlessly with our day-to-day teaching and play. The outdoor space is a true extension of our indoor environment, offering tamariki plenty of room to explore, grow, and develop their physical, emotional, social, and creative skills.

Purpose-built gardens give tamariki the opportunity to connect with nature through gardening experiences, nurturing curiosity and care for the world around them. These shared moments also foster a strong sense of whanaungatanga — a feeling of connection, community, and belonging.

A beautifully carved taonga, Haumiatiketike, stands proudly in our garden, anchoring our connection to te ao Māori and watching over our tamariki as they play and learn.

Our outdoor space features large, established trees and fruit trees that offer natural shade and seasonal learning opportunities, an oversized sandpit for imaginative and open-ended play, and a significant natural landmark representing the Boulder Bank. Nearby, a whare iti (small house) made from driftwood invites tamariki to engage with pūrākau — traditional stories that build cultural understanding and connection.

Together, these elements create a rich, inspiring environment where tamariki feel a deep sense of belonging and are empowered to learn through nature, play, and meaningful relationships.

At Stoke Kindergarten, our kaupapa is grounded in a bicultural framework with a strong commitment to te ao Māori. Te reo Māori is spoken naturally by both kaiako and tamariki, alongside other home languages that reflect the rich cultural diversity of our community.

We are proud of the strong sense of whanaungatanga shared between our teaching team and whānau. Families are always welcome to be part of our learning environment — whether by sharing stories, kai, language, or simply spending time with us.

Our Ara ki te Kura Rōpū (Pathways to School Group) helps prepare our four-year-olds for school through fun, intentional sessions that build on their interests and whānau aspirations. These experiences grow confidence, independence, and a strong foundation for future learning.

We are lucky to have a reserve just behind our kindergarten, which supports our weekly Nature Play sessions. Tamariki explore te taiao through hands-on learning in the bush and on regular hīkoi to places like Isel Park, Mara Te Wheke, and the local shops — sparked by children's interests and suggestions from whānau.

Kapa haka is a regular part of our programme, where tamariki learn pūrākau, waiata, and tikanga from our rohe and beyond. We also embrace the diverse cultures of our families through shared kai, music, dance, and language.

Creative expression is highly valued. Tamariki are encouraged to explore painting, drawing, clay work, screen printing, tapa cloth making, and more — experiences that support imagination, identity, and storytelling.

Through all of these rich learning opportunities, tamariki develop a strong sense of culture, respect, belonging, and pride.

This is their place — their tūrangawaewae.

Most sessions are free under the Ministry of Education’s 20 Hours ECE policy. Some fees may apply for additional hours or children under two. Family contributions are requested to cover extra activities.

Learn more about fees and funding

Nau mai, haere mai – a big welcome to all tamariki and whānau.

At Stoke Kindergarten, children can begin their learning journey with us from the age of two. We’re open Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 2:45pm. Our kindergarten operates from mid-January through to late December, with breaks during the school holidays and over the Christmas period.

Before your child officially starts, we encourage three settling visits. These help tamariki feel comfortable in their new environment and give you time to build a relationship with their key teacher — supporting a smooth and positive transition into kindergarten life.

We look forward to meeting you and sharing our wonderful kindergarten with you.

Read the latest Education Review Office report for Stoke Kindergarten.