Find Our Kindergarten
Why Choose Us
At Kidsfirst Diamond Harbour, our innovative eco-building reflects our commitment to sustainability and connection with the natural environment. Built-in 2015 using renewable materials, our award-winning architecture harmoniously blends with the harbour landscape while generating clean energy for our community.
Our unique two-room design caters to different stages of early childhood:
The Mānuka Room welcomes our youngest tamariki (0-2 years) with its peaceful atmosphere and high teacher-to-child ratios. Here, infants and toddlers explore thoughtfully designed spaces that respect their individual rhythms and development needs.
In the Kahikatea Room, older tamariki develop as confident learners with guidance and support from fully qualified, registered teachers through a wealth of inspiring resources and activities.
We value kanohi ki te kanohi relationships, creating daily opportunities for whānau to engage in our programme through sharing skills, knowledge, and time. Our strong connection with Diamond Harbour School supports natural transitions while fostering ako and tuakana-teina relationships.
Through manaakitanga, we nurture a community where every child and their whānau feels valued and welcomed.
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.
Latest News
Learning about pacific culture
Bula vinaka, and fakaalofa lahi atu, as we enter the long weekend. Language weeks are always big events at our kindergartens, and offer tamariki a chance to share their own culture and learn about others. Ka pai, to Kidsfirst Diamond Harbour and Kidsfirst Hei Hei, who did a great job celebrating Fiji Language Week and Niue Language Week 🌴❤️
Special blessing for the start of term
Carving magic from a power pole
“We’ve discovered that you can do some amazing things with an old power pole or two, and the awhi and support of the special people in our whānau and community,” says Kidsfirst Diamond Harbour teacher, Rebecca Thomas. Whānau and members of the community all pitched into to help as kindy koro, Wally Hemapo, carved a decorative waka from an old power pole recently. He Waka Eke Noa was then finished with colourful paint and drawings by the tamariki before its ‘maiden voyage’ in Purau Stream. Local kaumātua, John, blessed the waka with a karakia as the children set out on an imaginary journey. He Waka Eke Noa is now at its new home in the kindergarten’s big backyard, and the tamariki are busy creating another taonga from an old power pole. Watch this space!
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A proudly New Zealand owned and operated not-for-profit kindergarten association with over 110 years of kiwi heritage
