Amelia WilliamsDropping your little one off for the first time brings plenty of big emotions and second-guessing. You want a safe space where caring teachers comfort them and celebrate their daily wins.
If you’re searching for the best daycare in Auckland, it’s important to find a place that feels safe, nurturing, and works with your daily routine.
To make your childcare search easier, we’ve reviewed the top centres across the city to find those offering fantastic support and engaging education for your child. Here are the best daycare centres in the city that truly stand out!
How much does daycare cost in Auckland?
Full-time daycare in Auckland typically costs between $250 and $450 per week for children over three, but infant fees can reach $620 weekly before government subsidies.
1. Bambinos Early Childhood Centre
Website: https://bambinos.co.nz/
Address: 123 St Lukes Road, St Lukes
Contact: 098151206 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Long workdays make finding flexible childcare stressful, but Bambinos Early Childhood Centre eases that pressure with over 30 years of family ownership.
The Grgicevich family runs this second-generation service with a personal warmth that larger corporate chains often miss. Every educator is fully qualified, and the kitchen cooks fresh meals on site that meet Gold Healthy Heart standards.
Plus, their St Lukes and Manukau locations stay open 11 hours a day, giving busy parents a dependable schedule.
A coworker whose daughter attends here told us the warm atmosphere immediately put her at ease.
But keep in mind that you still have to pay regular fees if your child stays home sick, and late pickups trigger extra charges.
Customer Reviews
They created a warm and safe environment where our little one thrived
We had a wonderful experience with Bambinos! Our baby attended for 7 months, and during that time, we felt truly supported and reassured as parents. The staff are incredibly caring, professional, and attentive—they created a warm and safe environment where our little one thrived. Even though we’ve now moved to another area, we’re so grateful for the time we had with the daycare. Our baby grew so much socially and developmentally, and we always appreciated the regular updates and open communication.
- Shima Moghadam | Google Review
We’re so grateful to the team at Bambinos
Our son Darby attended Bambinos Early Childhood Centre for four years. Bambinos offers an excellent range of engaging activities and thoughtful care. He was able to develop trusting relationships with both his teachers and the other children. It was always so reassuring to know that while at daycare, he was happy, engaged, and safe. We’re so grateful to the team at Bambinos for giving Darby such a positive start with his early learning.
- Thalia Henry | Google Review
2. Daystar Childcare
Website: http://www.daystarchildcare.co.nz/
Address: 76 View Road, Mount Eden
Contact: 09 630 5571 | [email protected]
Hours: Morning session: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Afternoon session: 12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. | Full-day and 6-hour care available for a fee
Families comparing preschools in Auckland will find a different approach at Daystar Childcare, which operates as a non-profit community centre.
An incorporated society runs the centre alongside members of Eden Community Church, with funds going back into supporting local families and children.
The Education Review Office (ERO) rated the team as excelling across all evaluation areas. Older children can also join Afternoon Discoveries, which helps build early literacy and problem-solving skills as they prepare for school.
For kids who enjoy being active, optional weekly Playball sessions can also help develop coordination.
However, Christian values and teachings are part of the daily programme, which may not suit secular families.
Customer Reviews
Their teamwork and well-structured approach to each child’s learning goals are outstanding
We’re truly grateful for the amazing team at Daystar Childcare. Their teamwork and well-structured approach to each child’s learning goals are outstanding. The transformation we’ve seen in our único hijo has been just amazing — from confidence to curiosity and kindness, everything has grown beautifully. You can really feel that every teacher and staff member works together with care and purpose. Highly recommended for any parent looking for a nurturing and goal-driven environment!
- LM Basister | Google Review
Daystar team teachers prepared my son ready for school
My son attended Daystar and significantly improved his focus, attention, communication and social skills. They have structure routine based on my son needs and positive behavioral approach that may son can adapt to build his confidence and independence. Updates on the progress and activities were send to us via email. Teachers are highly commendable for their work, love, dedication and patience. Daystar team teachers prepared my son ready for school. Thank you so much and kudos to all.
- Maria Kristina Romero | Google Review
3. KiNZ Myers Park Early Learning Centre
Website: https://www.aka.org.nz/
Address: 381 Queen Street
Contact: 09 373 5635 | 09 373 2709 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
City-based parents often need childcare that’s central and connected to New Zealand’s rich culture, and KiNZ Myers Park Early Learning Centre brings both together.
The centre follows the national Te Whāriki curriculum and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, while bringing different languages and cultural traditions into everyday classroom activities.
As a result, children get a warm, culturally grounded start right in the heart of Queen Street.
The teaching team also meets strong professional standards, with every teacher holding a qualified early childhood credential. Full-day care runs for 10 hours a day, including during school term breaks, and nutritious meals are prepared on site.
However, the centre is open only on weekdays, so parents who work weekends will need to arrange other childcare.
Customer Reviews
The teachers are incredibly caring, patient, and supportive
My daughter absolutely loved attending this preschool. The teachers are incredibly caring, patient, and supportive. It’s a warm and welcoming environment, and I would highly recommend it to any parent looking for a great start to their child’s early education.
- Madushanie Sovis | Google Review
Love the community feel and the kids still have very find memories of their time there
Lovely staff at this centre. Beautiful, lush green setting in the heart of the city. My first was there for 4 years and second only moved because of logistics. Love the community feel and the kids still have very find memories of their time there.
- Jang | Google Review
4. Little Wings Early Childhood Education
Website: https://www.littlewingsece.co.nz/
Address: 88 Main Highway Ellerslie
Contact: +64 9 212 8559 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
If you want your child surrounded by nature, Little Wings Early Childhood Education offers a boutique setting beneath a huge pōhutukawa canopy.
The centre treats the outdoors as a teacher, using play-based, child-led activities to let curiosity guide each day. Babies also have a separate nursery inspired by Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE), creating a calm, unhurried space with small group ratios.
One parent we spoke with has a toddler at the centre and said the calm, grounded atmosphere made drop-offs feel easier.
Plus, their kitchen prepares fresh, completely sugar-free meals every day, giving children nutritious food throughout their time there.
Unfortunately, the strict sugar-free food policy may not suit every family’s preferences. And with only one centre in Ellerslie, families living in other suburbs may have a longer trip.
Customer Reviews
Our baby has thrived there and we feel happy leaving him in their capable hand
Little Wings is an absolute dream daycare: lovely, clean indoor/outdoor spaces, dedicated staff who really care for the children, and healthy food. Our baby has thrived there and we feel happy leaving him in their capable hands. I was so anxious about going back to work and they have helped enormously.
- Sarah | Google Review
They are professional, welcoming and very down to earth
I cannot recommend Tina and her team highly enough. They are professional, welcoming and very down to earth. The space is beautiful and very clean. I feel secure knowing our son is well looked after. He enjoys learning, playing and eating very delicious food. We feel very lucky to be part of the Little Wings extended family.
- Rebecca Grove | Google Review
5. Little Dinosaurs Childcare
Website: https://www.littledinosaurs.co.nz/
Address: 87 Onslow Ave, Epsom
Contact: [email protected] | (09) 623 8454
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Parents looking for intimate, homelike care will appreciate the quiet Epsom setting at Little Dinosaurs Childcare.
Licensed for just 27 children, this family-owned centre keeps group sizes small. This helps children build warm, close relationships.
The daily routine here encourages creativity through sensory art, music, and play-based learning. For four-year-olds, Dino Discovery Groups add more structure by using literacy books to build early reading skills and prepare children for primary school.
Families can also take advantage of promotions, including three months of free care or fixed six-hour sessions.
But remember, the three-month free offer requires a one-year enrolment commitment. To add, the free half-day sessions are limited to 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for children aged two and older.
Customer Reviews
The staff are warm, attentive, and very understanding
Our daughter loves her time at daycare! She’s made lots of good friends and is always excited to go. The staff are warm, attentive, and very understanding. We feel really lucky to have found this place. Highly recommend 🙂
- Angela Killerby | Google Review
The teachers are dedicated and caring
Our daughter has been attending this centre for nearly a year, and we are extremely happy with the experience. The teachers are dedicated and caring, and she genuinely enjoys her time here. We would have no hesitation in highly recommending this centre to other families.
- Kris Haak | Google Review
