Active Explorers vs Kindercare:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Kindercare had more branded searches than Active Explorers among early childhood education providers in New Zealand. Kindercare had about 3,100 branded searches, while Active Explorers had 2,630. Kindercare made up 16.5% of all early childhood education provider searches we track, and Active Explorers accounted for 14%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about early childhood education providers, Kindercare appeared in two of the five answers and Active Explorers in one. Active Explorers and Kindercare were each mentioned first in one of the two answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Kindercare, about 18% more searches than Active Explorers
Who does AI mention more?
Kindercare, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Active Explorers in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 1 of 2 answers.
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Top early childhood education providers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Kindercare was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Active Explorers was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Active Explorers and Kindercare were each listed first in one of the two answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
BestStart2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Kindercare2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Remuera Montessori2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Busy Bees2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers- Smart Start Montessori2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Active Explorers1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Evolve Education1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Barnardos Early Learning0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about early childhood education providers
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which early childhood education provider should I join in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best early childhood education providers in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best early childhood education provider in New Zealand for a young child?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“early childhood education nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“kindy nz”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Active Explorers or Kindercare more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Active Explorers and Kindercare by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight early childhood education providers we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Kindercare, Active Explorers. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | BestStart | Kindercare | Active Explorers | Barnardos Early Learning | Evolve Education | Remuera Montessori | Busy Bees | Smart Start Montessori |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 46.5% | 19.8% | 12.4% | 13.8% | 4% | 3.1% | 0.31% | 0.16% |
| Nov 2025 | 50.5% | 18.3% | 12% | 11.4% | 4% | 3.1% | 0.42% | 0.21% |
| Dec 2025 | 46.3% | 24.1% | 11.8% | 11% | 3.3% | 3% | 0.38% | 0.13% |
| Jan 2026 | 46.9% | 18.5% | 15.9% | 11.3% | 4.2% | 2.6% | 0.43% | 0.16% |
| Feb 2026 | 47.5% | 19% | 14.6% | 11.5% | 4% | 2.5% | 0.63% | 0.16% |
| Mar 2026 | 47.2% | 18.4% | 14.1% | 13.4% | 3.4% | 3.1% | 0.34% | 0.09% |
| Apr 2026 | 47.5% | 19% | 14.7% | 11.4% | 4.2% | 2.6% | 0.33% | 0.16% |
| May 2026 | 46.9% | 18.7% | 13.5% | 14% | 4.2% | 2.1% | 0.43% | 0.16% |
| Jun 2026 | 46.4% | 19.5% | 15.5% | 11.2% | 4.2% | 2.6% | 0.43% | 0.16% |
| Jul 2026 | 49.9% | 17.8% | 13.7% | 11.7% | 3.5% | 2.7% | 0.45% | 0.22% |
| Aug 2026 | 47.9% | 17.7% | 14.7% | 11.6% | 4.3% | 3.3% | 0.34% | 0.17% |
| Sep 2026 | 47.8% | 16.5% | 14% | 13.8% | 4.1% | 3.1% | 0.43% | 0.16% |
How has the Active Explorers and Kindercare comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Kindercare was ahead of Active Explorers in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Active Explorers’ share of searches among early childhood education providers in New Zealand moved from 12.4% to 14%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.4K to 2.6K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Kindercare’s share of searches among early childhood education providers in New Zealand moved from 19.8% to 16.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 3.8K to 3.1K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand early childhood education providers in September 2026?
2 changes

In September 2026, Kindercare lost share of searches among early childhood education providers in New Zealand, from 17.7% to 16.5%.

In September 2026, Active Explorers lost share of searches among early childhood education providers in New Zealand, from 14.7% to 14%.
How are branded searches counted?
18 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Active Explorers’ and Kindercare’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Active Explorers
6 branded search terms
- active explorers
- active explorers farnborough
- active explorers highbrook
- active explorers preschool
- active explorers swanson
- activeexplorers
Kindercare
12 branded search terms
- kindercare
- kindercare albany
- kindercare botany
- kindercare cbd
- kindercare childcare
- kindercare daycare
- kindercare learning
- kindercare pakuranga
- kindercare pebble
- kindercare preschool
- kindercare three kings
- my kindercare
Other head-to-heads among early childhood education providers

BestStart vs Kindercare: compare popularity
BestStart vs Active Explorers: compare popularity
BestStart vs Barnardos Early Learning: compare popularity
BestStart vs Evolve Education: compare popularity
Kindercare vs Barnardos Early Learning: compare popularity
Kindercare vs Evolve Education: compare popularity

Put your own brand in this comparison
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