Northern Auckland Kindergarten Association

The Northern Auckland Kindergarten Association was originally known as the East Coast Bays Free Kindergarten Association. Torbay was the association's first kindergarten which opened in 1954 and it is still a very active kindergarten to this day. As the association grew, the area it covered became much larger and the name was changed to better reflect the kindergartens and areas now included.

The Kindergarten Movement

• 1889 - First kindergarten opens in Dunedin, with just 14 children
• 1913 - New Zealand Kindergarten Union formed, but put on hold due to First World War
• 1926 - New Zealand Free Kindergarten Union formed
• 1994 - New Zealand Free Kindergarten Union became New Zealand Free Kindergarten Association Incorporated
• 2004 - New Zealand Free Kindergarten Association Incorporated became New Zealand Kindergartens Incorporated.  Northern Auckland Kindergarten Association Incorporated is a member of New Zealand Kindergartens Incorporated.

• 2010 - All Northern Auckland Kindergarten Association kindergartens adopt the 'kindergarten day' model of operating hours.

Kindergarten has always consisted of a partnership between:

• Teachers - Qualified, registered teachers provide and deliver educational programmes, under the guidance and support of the Teaching Services Manager.
• Local Committees - Support teachers and the Association in the day to day running of the Kindergarten and raise funds to ensure the Kindergarten has the resources/playground equipment etc. that is required for their children.
• Board of Management - Are elected from the community by members to govern the Association. The Board set the policies and strategic direction of the Association and appoints the General Manager to manage the Association on their behalf.