Quality early childhood education and care
He wāhi mō te katoa—A place for allWe provide safe, nurturing, high-quality early childhood education across Aotearoa New Zealand, where children are encouraged to explore, grow and flourish in body, mind and spirit. Caring for people, equipping children for life and nurturing spiritual growth and wellbeing. As part of The Salvation Army, Rātā Educare centres offer quality education and care grounded in Christian values and a heart for whānau.
Early Childhood Education Centres
Explore our locations
Why families choose us
It takes a village
We support all whānau; whether you need to access Salvation Army support services, you don’t have whānau nearby, or you’re a newcomer to Aotearoa New Zealand—we can support you. It takes a village to raise a child.
A welcoming space
We welcome everyone! An important part of our community is welcoming and making space for everyone, regardless of their background, culture or faith.
Home away from home
Our centres are a home away from home, where we value free play and a relationship-focused approach to teaching and learning. We believe that our tamariki are masters of learning through play. We support their autonomy to explore, learn and grow in a spacious, well-prepared environment and enormous outdoor play space.
Holistic care and Christian values
Underpinned by Christian faith, our learning environments integrate respect, kindness and inclusion—supporting spiritual, emotional and social growth
Whānau-centred approach
We partner with parents and caregivers, sharing learning stories, daily updates and maintaining open communication so whānau always feel involved and valued.
High-quality programmes
Our kaiako are trained, registered and dedicated. We use evidence-based early childhood pedagogy, ensuring children receive strong foundations in literacy, numeracy, social skills and identity.
Safe, beautiful environments
Indoor and outdoor spaces are thoughtfully designed to be safe, stimulating and responsive to the needs of young children—with natural light, outdoor play and rest spaces.
Support beyond education
As part of The Salvation Army, we offer wraparound support when needed, including pastoral care, practical family assistance and faith-based encouragement.
About our Early childhood centres
The Salvation Army’s Early Childhood Education Centres are more than just care and learning. They are places where:
Every child is known and treasured for who they are.
Learning is joyful—through play, relationships, discovery and creativity.
Teachers (kaiako) foster growth, curiosity, resilience and confidence.
We live out a mission to serve families, walk with them in challenges, celebrate in successes, and bring hope and transformation through the love of Jesus.
Who we are
We offer:
Passionate and qualified teachers, low child-to-carer ratios, nutritious meals, and child-centred teaching and learning to develop growing minds and bodies.
We’re proud of:
Our warm, nurturing, safe environment where pēpi and tamariki are loved and supported to learn and grow alongside others, through respectful, responsive relationships and inviting play spaces. Tamariki are empowered to be leaders in their own learning.
We’re trusted:
Feedback from ERO reports, parents and other agencies are evidence of the high-quality care and education we provide.
