The Karaka Learning Centre, which has centres in Auckland, Timaru and Temuka, expanded into the Maniototo late last month.
The fee-free centre consists of a roll of about 35 children and three teachers.
The youngest pupil on the roll is 13 months. Infants and toddlers can be enrolled.
A key distinction for the setup is an after-school service the centre is providing.
Head teacher Katarina Alexopoulos said the demand is ''increasing rapidly'' with a handful of children on a waiting list at present.
''There are a lot of young families.
''Locally there is no after-school care. I think that is a point of difference.''
The Kidsfirst Kindergarten and a Playcentre on Brute St were previously the only pre-schools in Ranfurly. The playcentre is limited to one day a week.
Sara O'Neill, of Ranfurly, has two toddlers at the centre and is thrilled with the new facility.
''It is awesome that they do under-2s. There is nothing for before the age of 2,'' she said.
''It's nice that they do actual working hours,'' Ms O'Neill said.
The rural breadth of the area had made it difficult for families before the centre opened, Ms Alexopoulos said.
''A lot of people here are out on farms,'' she said.
''So in terms of getting out, you're looking at 20 minutes to half an hour.''
