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Why Choose Us
At Kidsfirst Belfast, tamariki are empowered to become confident explorers and creative thinkers, preparing them for the world ahead. Each child’s unique learning journey is supported through genuine relationships and understanding of their individual needs.
Children flourish in a thoughtfully designed learning environment, where carefully curated resources and dedicated spaces spark their natural curiosity. Every child develops differently, and at Kidsfirst Belfast, tamariki can explore their unique interests and learn at their own comfortable pace.
Fully qualified, registered kaiako guide tamariki to develop valuable life skills, including self-management and a love for learning. By fostering these qualities early, children build the confidence and competence they need to become lifelong learners.
Our Big Backyard is a space where tamariki embrace kaitiakitanga through discovery, along with regular excursions to Styx Mill Reserve which extends these experiences. Tamariki investigate and play imaginatively in nature, gathering an understanding of their role as kaitiaki. Here, your child can set their own challenges with appropriate risk-taking, while developing physical skills and confidence.
Our strong connection with Belfast School creates opportunities for shared learning and activities, role-modeling and Ako. Children nearing school age visit the new-entrants classes regularly, developing strong relationships that ensure a seamless transition when they’re ready to take the next step.
Nau mai, tauti 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. For generations, South Island tamariki and whānau have walked through our gates, allowing us to build deep and lasting connections with our local communities.
Our kindergartens are down to earth places with warm and 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, take part in kindergarten life and stay as long as you wish. 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
Kindy unveils brand new deck
Kidsfirst Belfast have celebrated the new kindy year with a brand new deck, thanks to the generosity of Perpetual Guardian and the Belfast Community Trust. The new addition looks over the Big Backyard, and offers plenty of opportunities for play, catching up with friends and keeping an eye on the outdoor action. Kia ora to our generous donors, we’re so grateful for your koha. If you would like to make a personal or business donation to support our non-profit kindergartens, visit https://www.kidsfirst.co.nz/support-us
Kindy commitment to NZSL
Kidsfirst’s values underpin the mahi our teaching teams do every day – and every year, we celebrate the teams that exemplify them. Today’s Values Spotlight celebrates Kidsfirst Belfast, who were highly commended at this year’s Values Awards for living the Passionate value with a project that deepened the use of New Zealand Sign Language at every level of kindergarten life. As a result, NZSL has a prominent place at the kindergarten, and tamariki are even taking the learning home. Koia kei a koutou, Kidsfirst Belfast.
Our thanks to One New Zealand for their sponsorship of this year’s Passionate award, and to all of our values awards sponsors for their support.
Painting the town green for St Patricks Day
Our kindergartens painted the town green last week for St Patrick’s Day. The day holds special meaning at Kidsfirst Edmonds Smith Street, who celebrated kaiako Evie’s Irish heritage. Tamariki embraced the fun, hunting for cheeky leprechauns in their big backyard, getting messy with green water, and dancing to traditional Irish music. Kidsfirst Belfast kaiako enthusiastically greeted tamariki when they arrived with music, and fabulous green outfits.
Colouring the day with NZSL
There were all sorts of great reasons for a day of colour at Kidsfirst Belfast this week. Not only was there a kindergarten birthday, but tamariki have also been hard at work practising their New Zealand and te reo Māori Sign Language. The day of colour was a great chance to extend their learning alongside friends, and to have fun celebrating. Tamariki and whānau have been superstars at weaving their learning of sign language into their day-to-day kindergarten life, practising signing their own name, and the names of their kaiako, too. Koia kei a koutou, Kidsfirst Belfast, you’re awesome!
Engaging through sign language
NZSL tips and tricks
It’s one of New Zealand’s three official languages, so we love Sign Language Week, especially when there’s te reo involved! Kaiako Alex from Kidsfirst Belfast shows us how it’s done.
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A proudly New Zealand owned and operated not-for-profit kindergarten association with over 110 years of kiwi heritage
