Testimonials

Our son Jaime has been part of the WanaExcel family for just over a year, since we moved to Wanaka in 2022. He settled in quickly, thanks to the kindness showed by the teachers. He loves his days at kindy and there is so much fun to be had in the many fantasy play areas, and also when he attends excursions and activities out of the centre. The management team are fantastic too, forward thinking and the whole place just seems to get it right, from learning, to play, to stimulation and communication. We feel privileged to be part of the centre.

Two of my boys have been lucky to attend WanaExcel and have loved it there! Kelly was helpful and prompt setting up tours/settling in visits and the transition was very smooth. The teaching staff are brilliant and have a range of talents and passions that they share with the kids. They plan a wide variety of activities outside the preschool too - like biking, dancing and swimming. The two centres prepare them well for starting school - helping with their confidence, independence and making friendships. The communication with parents from the teachers and owners is super - we love all the learning updates, photos and videos that we get regularly. Thanks WanaExcel team, our family are very grateful for everything you have done for us!

We love WanaExcel as a centre for both our children and wouldn't want them anywhere else. Each day my oldest comes home so excited to tell me about his day, the interactions he has with teachers and peers, the songs he has sung, the excursion outside of Kindy he's done for the day and most of all what he has learnt from it all. He has such a great time coming along daily that on the weekend he'd happily opt to return by choice if he could. We would like to do a big shout out to two particular teachers, Franzi and Clare who have gone above and beyond and made a real impact on our son's desire to learn, have been patient with him and helped him manage his emotions and draw a real passion for music. They are both his role models and talks fondly of them daily. We are so lucky that in our beautiful piece of paradise here in Wanaka that your centre exists knowing your team care for our children's growth and development as much as we do as parents. Thank you for everything!

A very well run centre with a caring, nurturing culture. The staff go out of their way to educate and support the children in their development. A lot of thought and creativity goes into the numerous activities and events that happen every week and the team are fantastic at communicating with parents. Both our children love it here. Well done WanaExcel.

We’ve had three children attend WanaExcel now, and I honestly don’t have the words to describe how incredible this centre has been. It’s so rare to find people who care about your children as much (or even more) than you do, but in this centre you’ll find just that. They are flexible, nothing is a problem, and the support they offer is so valued, particularly as we have no family in town. Here my kids have learned manners and table etiquette, how to share and play and verbalise feelings. They’ve also learnt how to sit on the mat and participate in group activities as they would at school. I love that the curriculum starts off play based when they’re young and gets progressively more structured as they grow. We found the school transition so easy, as WanaExcel prepares them exceptionally well for the classroom. They go above and beyond offering swimming, dance, horse riding, gymnastics and skiing just to name a few. I mean, how many day-care’s take their kids skiing? If you’re looking for a place that prepares your child for school in a fun and age appropriate way, for a place that provides both structure and play, for a place that cares about your child as much as you do, look no further.

We have really been impressed with WanaExcel. My daughter loved it from the get-go. The purpose built facility, really cool resources, yummy meals are fantastic... but most importantly the teachers are just amazing! They have also been very flexible when we needed to switch days or add more time. I highly recommend WanaExcel.

We couldn't be happier. The staff are a huge part what make us so happy with WanaExcel

Wonderful family run preschool. Amazing facilities. Our reason for loving this place so much is the 3 and 4 year old programme which gets the kids to swimming lessons, playball, breakthrough nature at the park, a dance school and various other things!!! I think they can now even go biking!!!

I love WanaExcel and am so grateful for the personalised care my daughter experiences there. The staff and owners are all extremely friendly, kind, and knowledgeable and genuinely care about my daughter and our family. It is clean and full of interesting toys, books and other educational materials. There are so many indoor and outdoor spaces for them to learn and play. The teachers communicate with us constantly about how our children are developing and provide stories and photos of their experiences. From the age of 3 they can take kids to swimming lessons, dance lessons and exercise activities in the park. Makes me want to be a kid! But mostly it just makes me happy to know my daughter is at a fantastic place that she loves to be at.

We couldn't be happier with WanaExcel. The facilities are amazing but even more so are the Staff. They are so attentive. Everyone there seems so passionate about not only caring for the children, but helping along their development”

WanaExcel has ticked all the boxes for our whanau. We have really noticed the family feel and how beneficial this is for our tamariki. The facility really is next level. An on-site gymnasium with endless opportunities... movie nights/discos, changeable rooms which we have witnessed the benefits ourselves. The investment of the staff into everything they offer is really above and beyond, I couldn’t speak more highly. Swimming lessons, dance, biking, ball skills, nutritious meals... seriously what more could you ask for? We are able to enjoy our weekends and save money and time not having to do those extra curricular activities knowing our boys have had fantastic learning opportunities and experiences with amazing friends and kaiako supporting culture, science, music and a Park right next door too. We feel blessed to part of such a great team!