The Forest ECE

Welcome to The Forest ECE, a unique establishment located at Te Miro, Te Miro Road, 73 in New Zealand. As an early childhood education institution, we offer an exceptional learning experience for children aged 3 to 6 years, as well as one-day programs for children aged 5 to 13 years.

At The Forest ECE, we strongly believe in the concept of Free-Range children. We provide a nurturing environment where children can learn in partnership with both their teachers (kaiako) and nature itself. Our focus is on creating a free-play environment where children can explore and experience the full spectrum of education. From developing self-regulation and social competence, to engaging in numeracy, science, engineering, literacy, and the arts, our holistic approach ensures that every aspect of a child's development is nurtured.

Our curriculum is inspired by and based upon Te Whāriki, the national Early Childhood curriculum of New Zealand. However, we have also identified "what matters here" in our own unique context to ensure that our tamariki (children) achieve the best possible learning outcomes. We firmly believe that the forest environment provides the perfect setting for this.

Forest schools, which originated in Sweden in the 1950s, have been adapted and have gained worldwide recognition for their success in educating children holistically. As this concept gains momentum in New Zealand, we are proud to be pioneers of forest school education in the beautiful Waikato town of Cambridge.

In addition to our regular programs, we also offer a School Holiday Programme during each school holiday. This provides children with a fun and engaging learning experience during their break from school.

To secure a place for your child at The Forest ECE, please click below to download our Early Childhood Education enrolment agreement and join our waiting list. We look forward to welcoming your child to our unique and enriching learning environment.