Now welcoming enrolments
Portobelo Kaiapoi
🕒 7:00am – 5:30pm
🏠 107 Otaki Street, Kaiapoi
03 327 9113
📧 office@portobelo.co.nz
🕒 7:00am – 5:30pm
🏠 107 Otaki Street, Kaiapoi
📞 03 327 9113
📧 office@portobelo.co.nz
Now welcoming enrolments
A warm, welcoming early learning centre where tamariki explore, play and grow through meaningful relationships.
Tucked away on a quiet residential street in Kaiapoi, our centre offers a calm, home-like environment with beautiful natural outdoor spaces and thoughtfully prepared indoor areas. With caring kaiako and a strong sense of connection, children are supported to feel safe, confident and a true sense of belonging.
As a parent-owned centre, we understand how big this decision is – because we’ve been there too. That’s why we offer 4 months free* for new enrolments, to give your family the chance to settle in without the pressure.
*Terms and conditions apply.
See Inside Portobelo Kaiapoi
A huge kiwi backyard, home-like rooms, and a team who can’t wait to meet you.
A Place for Every Stage
Nursery (0 – 2 years)
The first 1000 days of a child’s life are among the most significant – and we take that responsibility seriously. Our nursery is a calm, home-like space where babies and toddlers are cared for as individuals, with sleep, kai and play following each child’s own rhythm rather than the clock.
Kaiako take time to truly know each tamariki – their cues, their comfort, their curiosity. Alongside warm, responsive caregiving, tamariki explore sensory, creative and nature-based experiences indoors and out, always at their own pace.
Toddler Room (2 – 3.5 years)
This is a time of enormous growth – language, independence, friendships and big feelings all at once. Our toddler room is a place where tamariki are supported to explore and discover, with kaiako close by to guide, encourage and celebrate every step.
Days are child-led and flexible. Tamariki eat when they’re hungry, play when they’re ready, and rest when they need to – with plenty of outdoor play, small group learning and uninterrupted exploration woven through every day. Every child’s learning journey is planned around their emerging interests and individual goals.
Preschool (3.5 – 5 years)
Our preschool is a vibrant, inquiry-rich environment where tamariki build the foundations for lifelong learning – curiosity, confidence, connection, and a sense of wonder about the world around them.
Grounded in Te Whāriki, our programme weaves together indoor and outdoor play, creative and sensory experiences, literacy, numeracy, music, movement and more. Our four year olds also take part in dedicated school readiness hui, and when the time comes, we work alongside their chosen primary school to ensure they walk in already known and understood.
Learning Through Play
Our programme is guided by Te Whāriki, New Zealand’s early childhood curriculum. We focus on the holistic development of each child through discovery learning, creative play and an environment intentionally designed to inspire curiosity. Our skilled kaiako use everything they learn about your child’s unique natural abilities and way of seeing the world to guide their individual learning journey.
A Gentle, Child-Led Start
Starting early learning is a big step, for tamariki and whānau alike, and we never rush it. After your tour, we invite you to bring your child back for a relaxed stay and play session so they can explore the space and begin to feel at home.
From there, settling is gradual and always child-led. Kaiako take the time to really get to know your child – their routines, their personality, what makes them feel safe. Every plan is personalised to your whānau.
And when the time comes for school, we reach out to your chosen primary school on your behalf, so your child walks in already known and understood.
What Whānau Say
We’d Love to Meet You
