Sara Stewart owns this absolutely delightful kindergarten on the way to Muriwai Beach. Adjacent to her home and on her farm, she and her husband have created The Cottage Kindergarten. It's a small, homely early childhood centre surrounded by gardens and a lovely playground. The hurricane wire fencing is no accident but rather an invitation for children to be a part of their outside world and notice the comings and goings of the lifestyle property and change of seasons. Daily activities incorporate the slice of rural life, this may be a running race on the expansive lawn, excursions to feed the pet sheep, visit the horse or see the dog. When the children aren't playing outside they retreat indoors for a quieter place of reflection where there are plenty of peaceful spaces and a focus on New Zealand's natural world. read more