early childhood centre
Welcome to Bambinos Early Childcare Centres in Auckland & Mount Maunganui
Bambinos early education and childcare centre is committed to providing you and your child with the very best early childcare education.
We have 3 beautiful centres in St Lukes, Manukau, and Mount Maunganui. Come visit us to see what we are all about. If you have been wondering “What’s the best child care near me?”, well you’ve found us. We are a trusted early education provider, loved by Auckland & Mount Maunganui parents for a reason.
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Discover Why Kiwi Parents Choose Bambinos for Early Education & Childcare in
Auckland & Mount Maunganui
Pop into our centres and see what makes Bambinos a trusted name in early education and childcare. With centres in St Lukes, Manukau, and Mount Maunganui we offer a warm, nurturing environment where your child will thrive. From confidence-building to a love of learning, it all starts here.
Bambinos Is a Place That Feels Like Home
At Bambinos, we’ve been part of the early education and childcare world for over 30 years. Our centres are warm, welcoming spaces where kids feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. We believe in creating a home away from home, where every child is known and cared for. If you’re looking for a daycare Auckland families can genuinely connect with, we’d love to show you around. Come in, meet our friendly team, and see what we’re all about. You’ll quickly see how much we care about your child’s learning, happiness, and future. Give us a call — we’re here when you’re ready.
Early Childcare Centre in Manukau, Auckland, and Mount Maunganui
Bambinos offers a unique, nurturing daycare Auckland & Mount Maunganui families trust, providing a safe and supportive environment where children can develop, learn, and grow. Our passionate and experienced educators focus on each child’s individual needs, encouraging curiosity, creativity, and confidence through meaningful play and learning experiences. We believe in being a local Auckland childcare centre focused on building strong relationships with both children and their families to support a sense of belonging and wellbeing. At Bambinos, every child is valued, respected, and supported to reach their full potential.
A sense of well-being and belonging
Confidence and independence
A love of learning and exploration
Early literacy and numeracy rich environment
Physically, socially, intellectually, emotionally and spiritually Bambinos, the daycare Auckland loves.
Our Facilities
At Bambinos, we support every step of your child’s early learning journey. Our comprehensive Education Program encourages growth through play, creativity, and structured learning. We make the First Day smooth and welcoming for both children and parents. With a strong focus on health and safety, our Wellness Procedure ensures a clean, caring environment. Ready to join the Bambinos family? Our Enrollment & Guideline process is simple and designed to get your child settled in with ease.
Education Program
First Day
Wellness Procedure
Enrollment & Guidelines
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages of children does Bambinos enrol?
We welcome children from infancy through to five years old at Bambinos centres. Our early childhood centres provide age-appropriate rooms with caring teachers and small group experiences for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. This ensures each age group thrives in a nurturing environment tailored to their developmental stage.
What are Bambinos’ opening hours?
Our childcare centres operate Monday to Friday, year-round, closing only for public holidays. Our Auckland locations (St Lukes and Manukau) are open from 7:00am to 6:00pm, and our Mount Maunganui centre runs 7:30am to 5:30pm on weekdays. We offer full-day and part-day enrolment options to suit different family schedules.
Where are your centres located?
Bambinos has three early childhood centres in New Zealand. We have two centres in Auckland – one in St Lukes (Central Auckland) and one in Manukau (South Auckland) – plus a third centre in Mount Maunganui, Tauranga. Local families searching for childcare near me will likely find one of our locations convenient to their home or commute.
What is the best age for a child to start childcare?
There’s no single “best” age – it depends on your family’s needs and the child’s readiness. Bambinos welcomes infants as young as a few months, and we offer supportive care at every stage. Some parents start around 12 months for social interaction, while others join at 3–4 years to enjoy our preschool programme. Whenever your child starts, we ensure they receive nurturing, age-appropriate learning.
What is the difference between daycare and childcare?
In practice, “daycare” and “childcare” mean the same thing – both refer to early learning centres for young children. Whether you call Bambinos a daycare, childcare centre, preschool, or ECE centre, our focus is on providing safe, nurturing education and care for your child.
How do you help children settle in at Bambinos?
We make the transition gentle and positive for each child. Bambinos encourages parents to visit with their child before the first day to meet our staff and become familiar with the environment. We work with families to create a personalised settling-in plan, follow the child’s cues and routines, and keep open communication. This helps your little one gain confidence and feel at home quickly.
What learning approach guides your programme?
Our curriculum is play-based and guided by Te Whāriki, New Zealand’s Early Childhood Education framework. This holistic approach builds on each child’s interests and strengths. Children at Bambinos explore early literacy, numeracy, language, creativity, and problem-solving through fun, meaningful activities indoors and outdoors. We emphasise relationships and caring, helping each child develop social skills, resilience, and a love of learning.
Do you provide meals for the children?
Yes. We provide nutritious meals and snacks on-site each day for all children. Bambinos has in-house cooks who prepare healthy, balanced menus with fresh ingredients – including morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea. Our centres follow Healthy Heart guidelines for childcare meals, and we happily accommodate allergies or special dietary needs as required.
How much does childcare at Bambinos cost?
Bambinos’ fees depend on your child’s age and enrolment schedule. We also offer up to 25 hours of free ECE for 3–5-year-olds through government funding. Many families qualify for a Work and Income NZ childcare subsidy to reduce costs. Our team can walk you through the funding options and provide current fee details so you know exactly what to expect.
Are your teachers fully qualified?
Absolutely – quality education starts with quality educators. Every Bambinos teacher is a qualified early childhood educator, and we only hire experienced, caring staff. We ensure there is always at least one staff member with up-to-date first aid certification on site. Our teachers also engage in ongoing professional development to stay current, so your child is always in capable and nurturing hands.
What is the staff-to-child ratio at your centres?
We maintain excellent staff-to-child ratios to give each child plenty of attention. Bambinos groups children into small class sizes with dedicated kaiako, so no child is ever “lost in the crowd.” Our ratios meet or exceed the Ministry of Education’s standards for early childhood centres. This means your little one will always have close supervision, support, and engagement throughout the day.
How do I enrol my child at Bambinos?
Enrolling is simple. Just get in touch with us to start – you can call or send an enquiry online to your nearest centre. We’ll invite you for a visit so you can meet our team and see the centre in person. To secure your child’s spot, complete our enrolment form and agreement. Our staff will guide you through each step.