Find Our Kindergarten
Why Choose Us
At Kidsfirst Avonhead, we create a welcoming, child-centred environment where tamariki discover the joy of learning through play. Day-to-day kindergarten life emphasises exploration, creativity, and kaitiakitanga, fostering a strong connection with the natural world.
Children deepen their connection to nature and community as they explore Stavely Reserve and their neighbourhood on daily adventures. Regular community experiences nurture a sense of whanaungatanga and an understanding of their place in the world.
Our registered, qualified kaiako practice manaakitanga, responding thoughtfully to each child’s interests, strengths and capabilities. We take time to know tamariki and their whānau well, creating strong partnerships that support each child’s learning journey.
We maintain strong relationships with local primary schools, supporting a smooth transition when your child is ready to take the next step in their education journey. Our commitment to sustainability weaves through all aspects of our programme, helping tamariki develop as kaitiaki of their environment.
In our spacious Big Backyard, children engage in hands-on experiences that nurture curiosity about the natural world. Inside, carefully chosen resources and activities provide opportunities for focused exploration and creative expression.
Nau mai, haere mai – make a time to visit us and remember, you’re always welcome at Kidsfirst.
Why Kidsfirst Kindergartens
With over 100 years of proud legacy, Kidsfirst Kindergartens is a not-for-profit organisation that supports and leads kindergartens across Canterbury, the West Coast and Central Otago. Generations of South Island tamariki and whānau have passed through our gates, and we have strong ties to local communities.
Our kindergartens are down to earth places with warm, nurturing teachers with a rich range of resources and environments to explore.
One of the hallmarks of our kindys is that you’re always welcome here – whānau are encouraged to visit and stay, and take part in kindergarten life. We love it when families share their skills, and culture too – our kindergartens are some of the most diverse learning environments around, and children learn best when teachers and whānau work together.
Te Whāriki, the New Zealand Curriculum, guides our teaching and learning programmes, while the kindergarten philosophy underpins all we do. Tamariki learn through play in their own time, through their own interests, guided by trained teachers who are registered with the Teaching Council of New Zealand. You’ll often find our kindergartens located on, or near, local primary schools. Preparation for school and a smooth transition are a key part of the work for our kaiako.
Our kaiako are overseen by Professional Leaders with a focus on quality and ensuring the highest educational standards. Formerly known as the Canterbury Westland Free Kindergarten Association, Kidsfirst – and its kindergartens – consistently receive strong reports from the Education Review Office. You can read more about their assessment of our governing organisation here.
What Families Say
Latest News
Bright Holi fun at Avonhead
Every year, Holi, the Festival of Colour, just gets brighter at kindy, and this year was no exception. Kidsfirst Avonhead tamariki enjoyed a fun-filled time in their Big Backyard, with colourful Holi powder and traditional music. There’s so much to learn about cultural traditions and the world around us at kindy 🌏❤️ ka pai, Kidsfirst Avonhead.
Spreading aroha this Kirihimete
During the last week of kindy, Kidsfirst Avonhead tamariki, kaiako and whānau visited their local rest home, Elms Court. Singing Christmas songs and giving out fresh bunches of flowers was such a great way to share whanaungatanga and aroha at this time of year – koia kei a koutou, Kidsfirst Avonhead, that’s some awesome mahi 🎄💐❤️
Kindy yard grows from local love
We’re always grateful to those in our kindy communities who give back to us, and it’s a great example of kotahitanga for tamariki. Kidsfirst Avonhead recently renovated their Big Backyard with an upgrade to the sandpit and the addition of a new water feature. This was fundraised by the kindergarten, along with generous contributions from their community. The team wants to give a shout-out to Natureflow, Air Rescue, Christchurch City Council and Pub Charity Limited. Ka rawe, Kidsfirst Avonhead ☀️❤️
Getting stuck into sensory play
So much happens in our brains when we feel, hear, smell, taste and look at the world around us. Kidsfirst Avonhead tamariki made their very own sensory playground last week when they got stuck into a great big pile of gloop, a sea of bubbles and some collaborative ‘ball painting’. It looks like fun, and it is – but these sorts of activities are also a fantastic way to encourage creativity, problem solving, and curiosity while keeping those language and motor skills moving along. Best of all, what happens at kindy, stays at kindy, so the cloths, buckets and mops can wait for another day 🧼❤️🧽
Mini-elections at kindy
They’re slugging it out in Wellington, but there was no need for coalition negotiations when Kidsfirst Avonhead tamariki ran their own elections last month. It was a great way to learn about the election process, how it worked, and why it was very important for tamariki to think very carefully about who they voted for. The three candidates were Mrs Wishy Washy (who likes to clean), Eeny (who loves cuddles), and Rainbow Pony (who likes to have her hair done). Even kaiako had a vote, and the new Prime Minister of Kidsfirst Avonhead was named as… EENY! Ka pai, team, what a great way to show how it’s done 😊
Tākarokaro, katakata & music
There was much excitement at Kidsfirst Avonhead, when musical sister duo Leah and Siu from LOOPY TUNES Preschool Music paid a visit. The YouTube stars’ videos are popular with tamariki, who loved being part of a real-life musical session with them. Thanks for stopping by, Leah and Siu 🎵🎤❤️
Royal fun and fancy treats at kindy
At our kindergartens we like to connect our learning to what’s happening in the world. With the coronation on everyone’s minds, Kidsfirst Avonhead held a special day on Friday, with tamariki dressing up in paper crowns and enjoying high tea featuring fairy bread, and scones with jam and cream – and even some of the King’s Coronation Quiche. Yum! 👑🎈
All cozied up for pyjama day
Tamariki were excited to hold a pyjama day at Kidsfirst Avonhead, sharing breakfast with whānau ahead of a busy programme. Kaiako Sarah Donald said that the event was about celebrating the kindergarten’s whanaungatanga, and keeping whānau “at the foundation of our beliefs and practices.” Tau kē, Kidsfirst Avonhead, what an awesome way to spend your morning ❤️🥞
Splashing into Summer!
Kidsfirst Avonhead have been beating the Summer heat with water fun under the sprinkler in their big backyard. Wearing rash suits to stay sun safe, older and younger tamariki had a great time cooling off together. Kei runga noa atu, what a great way to spend the day. Have a great weekend from the Kidsfirst whānau ☀️💧❤️
Pom pom’s for manaakitanga
They’re doing a great job of looking after one another at Kidsfirst Avonhead, where tamariki added a pom-pom to a special jar every time they showed manaakitanga towards their peers. The special rewards were given out for helping others, and being safe, respectful and kind – and once the jar was full, there was a pizza picnic lunch in their big backyard to celebrate. Ka pai tō mahi, Kidsfirst Avonhead, what inspiring work.
Dr. Seuss dress up for wacky Wednesday
It wouldn’t be kindergarten without dress up days, and Kidsfirst Avonhead made the most of a recent one, inspired by the Dr. Seuss classic, “Wacky Wednesday”. There were exciting outfit changes and creative ways of learning, and everyone was able to share their ideas on how to make their kindergarten day extra wacky. Kaiako, Sarah Donald, said “it was such a fun day, and it was great to see the wonderment and amusement on the children’s faces, as they arrived at kindergarten to find everything looking very different!” Ka rawe, Kidsfirst Avonhead, that’s awesome.
Hello Sparkle & Sparkles!
Kidsfirst Avonhead tamariki have been putting their manaakitanga into practice – just in time for Easter. Kaiako placed some eggs into an incubator, and three weeks later, quail chicks, Sparkle and Sparkles, were born. Tamariki waited eagerly for the eggs to hatch, and once they did, learned all about the importance of being gentle, and caring for their new kindy pōtiki (pets).
Roaring into the Year of the Tiger
It’s been a busy start to the year at all of our kindergartens, and the Lunar New Year celebrations have offered fantastic opportunities for tamariki to learn more about the culture and traditions that happen as part of it. Thanks to Kidsfirst Avonhead and Hei Hei, who sent through these great photos, ka mau te wehi! Xīn Nián Kuài Lè (新年快乐) – Happy New Year!
A big week with EIGHT birthdays
A big rā whānau ki a koe (happy birthday) to eight kindergartens across our Kidsfirst network. Portsmouth Street, Redwood, Trengrove, Karoro, Hawthornden, Hei Hei, Halswell and Avonhead are all celebrating this week! It’s the perfect occasion to take a look back on some historic photos of the kindy’s over the years…
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A proudly New Zealand owned and operated not-for-profit kindergarten association with over 110 years of kiwi heritage
