Ruby and Rose were stolen from BestStart Hei Hei early on Friday morning.

Children at a Christchurch preschool are distraught after thieves broke in and stole their two pet rabbits.

BestStart​ Hei Hei centre manager Melitta​ Fielding said children and parents are upset the two rabbits, 2-year-old sisters Ruby and Rose, were taken in the burglary.

She said the thieves were caught on security camera during the early hours of Friday.

SUPPLIED The thieves were caught by a security camera about 6.20am on Friday.

Two hutches, rabbit food, and a wooden baby fence were also taken.

It was the second break-in at the preschool in two nights. During the first one, a Civil Defence kit and two bright blue triangle shade sails were taken. The sails form a 64-square-metre square when combined.

SUPPIED The offenders were also filmed at the preschool earlier.

Fielding said a suspicious car was seen in the nearby Hornby Primary School car park between 8.30pm and 9pm on Wednesday. A man was also seen pressing up against the preschool window.

Parents of children at the preschool are upset anyone would steal from them and want the rabbits back, Fielding said.

One of the rabbits has a small piece missing from one of her ears.

Fielding said police were involved and had taken fingerprints.

Anyone with information about the burglaries should contact the preschool or Hornby police, she said.