Service type
The Wilderness is an education and care service — the most common ECE type in New Zealand, typically operating all day, year-round.
20 Hours ECE
The Wilderness participates in the 20 Hours ECE scheme, which funds up to 20 hours a week of early childhood education for children aged 3 to 5.
Authority
The Wilderness is privately owned, operated by an individual, company, or other private entity.
Equity Index
The Wilderness has an Equity Index rating of "EQI > 5" on the Ministry of Education's 1–4 scale for early childhood services. A lower number means the service draws more of its enrolled children from lower socio-economic communities, making it eligible for additional government funding. This is a different scale to the schools Equity Index (344–569) and the two should never be compared directly.
Children by age
As at July 2025, based on 174 children on the roll.
Children by ethnicity
Percentages may add up to more than 100%, since a child can be recorded under more than one ethnicity.
Location
View larger map →Contact details
- Address483a Yaldhurst Road, Russley, Christchurch
- Phone+64 3 365 0020
- Emailmanager@thewilderness.co.nz
- ContactAmber James
Nearby ECE services
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Kidsfirst Kindergartens Broomfield Kindergartens · 1.4 km
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Russley Playcentre Playcentre · 2 km
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Kidsfirst Kindergartens Hawthornden Road Kindergartens · 2.2 km
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Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Horomako o Te Huruhuru Te Kōhanga Reo · 2.4 km
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Kidsfirst Kindergartens Wigram Kindergartens · 3.6 km
Explore ECE in Christchurch
Browse Christchurch early childhood services by type.
What comes next
Primary schools closest to The Wilderness — most children move into a primary school after early childhood education, though families are free to choose any school.
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Our Lady of Victories 3.5 km
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Waimairi School 6.8 km
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Paparoa Street School 8.1 km
Data source
- SourceNZ Early Childhood Services Directory — Ministry of Education / Education Counts
- Ministry data last checked6 September 2026