Thorndon Quay

Childcare Centre

Welcome to Co Kids, Wellington

Nestled on 170 Thorndon Quay in the historic and vibrant suburb of Thorndon, our centre offers spacious and thoughtfully designed early childhood education for tamariki aged 0 to 5 years. Set in the heart of Wellington’s inner-city community, our space is warm, welcoming and built with children in mind.

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A young girl with dark hair in a ponytail, wearing a pink fuzzy sweater and yellow shirt, sitting at a desk in a classroom, looking outside with a contemplative expression, holding a purple crayon, with art supplies visible nearby.

OUR WELLINGTON CENTRE

At Co Kids Wellington, we draw on the principles of Emmi Pikler and RIE, shaping a teaching philosophy built on respect, calm interactions and responsive, unhurried care. Our kaiako take the time to observe, support and truly understand each child, allowing them to lead their own learning with confidence.

Our centre is organised into three distinct learning areas, each thoughtfully designed to meet children where they are developmentally. These spaces create a sense of flow while still giving tamariki the security, freedom and room they need to explore, grow and form strong relationships.

Meals are freshly prepared onsite each day using wholefoods and no refined sugars, reflecting our commitment to nourishing kai and overall wellbeing. Children share in a calm, predictable meal routine that supports independence and healthy habits.

Our dedicated Babies Room, with its own indoor and outdoor spaces, provides a peaceful and secure environment for our youngest learners. This separate area allows us to tailor care, routines and experiences to suit their stage, supporting everything from early movement and motor skills to gentle exploration and discovery.

Each step through our centre is designed with purpose, warmth and connection in mind — giving every child the space and support to flourish.

A young girl with braided hair, wearing a black hoodie with unicorn and star patterns, is writing or drawing on a red paper at a table. A potted plant with green and reddish leaves is on the table, and papers and a booklet are also visible.

Why Parents Choose Co Kids Thorndon Quay

Learning Environment

Our centre offers bright, open learning spaces designed to create a calm and engaging environment where children can explore, discover and grow with confidence.

Our Approach to Learning

For our youngest children we follow the RIE philosophy, which focuses on respectful, responsive care and supporting natural development. For children over three we are inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, encouraging creativity, curiosity and learning through exploration and play.

Teacher to Child Ratios

We aim to maintain excellent teacher to child ratios during our peak learning times so each child receives the attention and support they need.

Under 1 – 1 teacher to 3 children

Under 2 – 1 teacher to 4 children

Over 2 – 1 teacher to 6 children

Over 3 – 1 teacher to 8 children

Meals and Daily Essentials

Children enjoy a fresh daily menu for morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. Our meals are naturally sweet and made without refined sugar, focusing on wholesome ingredients that support healthy growing bodies. Sunblock and wet wipes are also provided for your convenience.

Our Team

Our team is made up of passionate and experienced educators who genuinely care about each child’s wellbeing and development. Around 80 percent of our teachers are fully qualified, and many of our team members have been with Co Kids for more than five years.

Financial Support

We are happy to help families understand the financial support options available.

We can guide you through the FamilyBoost rebate, which may help reduce your childcare costs.

We also assist with the WINZ subsidy application process by completing our section of the form.

Flexible Fee Options

We offer flexible options including full day and 8 hour sessions to suit different family schedules.

Transition to School

For children over four we run a Transition to School programme designed to help build confidence and prepare children for the move to primary school.

Sibling Discount

We offer a 10% sibling discount. Please speak with our Centre Manager to learn more about current promotions and availability.

A young child with blonde hair and blue eyes smiling and leaning on a table, engaging with another child in a striped sweater, in a brightly lit indoor setting.

In our Babies Room, you’ll find:

• A calm and soothing atmosphere that gives little ones the confidence to grow and develop at their own pace.

• Experienced, caring kaiako who provide personalised attention and build strong, responsive relationships with each baby.

• A range of thoughtfully chosen toys and activities to support early movement, sensory play and gentle exploration.

• A safe and secure space set apart from the older groups, allowing babies to explore freely without the noise and pace of the larger areas.

A woman interacts with three young girls in a classroom or library setting.

For our Toddlers and Preschoolers, you’ll find:

We have thoughtfully designed individual classrooms, along with two spacious shared play areas that allow children to come together throughout the day. This setup keeps transitions calm and predictable, helping to reduce anxiety and support smooth routines.

These shared spaces encourage:

• Siblings to spend time together and share parts of their day.

• Older children to mentor and care for younger peers.

• Younger children to learn from and emulate positive role models.

• A strong culture of empathy, kindness and community among both children and teachers.

Join us in our supportive and inclusive environment, where every child can flourish and grow

 

Enquire Today
A woman holding a young boy at a pediatric clinic. The woman is smiling, and the boy has a slightly worried expression. They are in a brightly lit room with a lime green couch and a window in the background.
Three young children sitting at a table in a classroom, engaged in conversation, with a potted plant and colorful markers on the table.
Bright, spacious classroom with wooden floors, large windows, and colorful child-sized furniture. Art supplies and educational materials decorate the walls, with a table set for activities and playful decorations hanging from the ceiling.
Two young boys are working together on a craft project at a table, with one helping the other cut a red piece of paper. A third child is partially visible on the left, and another girl with red hair is in the background. A potted plant sits on the ta
Interior of a bright, spacious daycare or preschool classroom with play areas, small tables and chairs, shelves with toys and supplies, yoga mats on the carpet, and large windows letting in natural light.

What the parents think

  • CoKids-Preschool-Early-Childhood-Education-Day-Care-Near-Me

    “My daughter settled in so well. I admire the teachers for being trustworthy, nurturing and respectful. They will always endeavour the best care possible to the children they look after. Thanks Co Kids! ❤”

    Tina Sarmago

  • CoKids-Day-Care-Preschool-Daycare-Auckland-Education

    “My son loves going here, they provide fun and new environments constantly, nurture their growth and the outdoor and indoor areas are spacious and well designed. Highly recommend.”

    Amanda Pires

  • CoKids-Day-Care-Near-Me-Childhood-Centres

    “I feel comforted knowing that I am leaving my daughter with people who really care about her and who go the extra mile to make sure her individual needs are met and that she feels safe and valued.”

    Lyndsay Macauley

Contact Us

Get in touch with us or click on the frequently asked questions to find out more.

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Frequently Asked Q's