Education

In Tauranga and the wider Bay of Plenty, children benefit from life-long learning. 

Early Childhood Education

There are kindergartens, play centres and early learning centres and home- based care. All centres must meet NZ government standards to operate, however they vary in the type of education they provide, the ages they cater for, the type of building they operate from, and the fees they charge. Kindergartens are government run early education providers 
Playcentres have more parent involvement and opportunities for parents to become educators if they wish to complete the training courses.
The early learning centers have longer hours which may suit working people better. Home based care is at a person's home in a family environment with limited ratios of children to carers. 
​Ultimately you need to choose the best setting for your child and the best way to make a choice is to go and visit with your child. 
Pre School Education Providers 
Kindergartens 
Arataki Free Kindergarten 
Avenues Kindergarten 
Brookfield Free Kindergarten 
Central Kids Kindergarten – Golden Sands 
Greerton Village Kindergarten 
Matua Kindergarten 
Maungatapu Kindergarten 
Playcentres 
Greenpark Playcentre 
Mount Maunganui Playcentre 
Otumoetai Playcentre 
Papamoa Playcentre 
Pyes Pa Playcentre 
Tauriko Playcentre 
Te Puke Playcentre 
Welcome Bay Playcentre 
Early childhood centres 
BestStart Early Childhood centres 
Bambinos Early Childhood centres 
Above & Beyond centres 
Inspired Learning centres 
Home based carers 
Education Angels 
Jemma's home based care 
Nurtured at home 
Homegrown Kids 
Kids at home 

 Primary

In NZ it is compulsory to attend school from the age of six, however nearly all children start at age five. There are several based primary schools.  Some of these schools have enrolment zones so it is recommended that you choose the closest primary school to your home.

Intermediate

 Intermediate schools cater for years seven and eight students. They are zoned. There are some rural schools. 

Secondary


Secondary schools cater to Year 9 to Year 13. Some high schools cater to students from Year 7 to Year 13 ​

Tertiary

Toi-Oho Mai Institute 
University of Waikato  
Bethlehem Tertiary Academy 
Pacific Coast Technical Institute 
​Te Wanaga O Aotearoa 
 

Migrant Tip

In NZ the quality of education in State Schools and Private Schools is of the same excellent quality. www.ero.govt.nz ​