Find Our Kindergarten
Why Choose Us
Our skilled and experienced teaching team is committed to supporting each child to grow their capacity to work, learn and share with others in a caring, stable and happy environment. We aim to support and guide your child’s curiosity and nurture a natural love of learning that will endure long after kindergarten years.
The kindergarten’s Big Backyard is a special feature and reflects the unique West Coast environment. There’s lots of natural shade from wonderful and mature trees, and our playground provides challenges and endless opportunities for curiosity and exploration.
Inside, is a large, child-centred and modern learning space that is accessible and engaging for all children to explore and play in with and alongside each other. There’s a wide range of resources and equipment to spark creativity and discovery. Quiet, creative and imaginative play and learning areas support tamariki to develop through their own interests, in their own time.
We strengthen our West Coast community connections through regular local excursions where tamariki grow their roles as kaitiaki of their unique environment. These experiences, combined with our strong relationships with local primary schools, help children build confidence in their wider world.
Our fully qualified and registered teachers look forward to working with you to ensure your time at Kidsfirst Kindergartens Greymouth is full of fun, learning and friendship. It is our wairua that makes us unique, and we hope that when you walk through our gates you will feel the manaakitanga from kaiko and tamariki alike.
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
Sharing culture in the kindy kitchen
Whānau help make te ao kindy the very special place it is, and tamariki love learning more about the many cultures around them. Two Kidsfirst Greymouth mums brought their whanaungatanga to the kindy kitchen in Term 3, turning flour and water into roti bread that tasted great and sparked a world of wonder for tamariki, too. Ka rawe, Kidsfirst Greymouth – what a way to bring the learning to life
Busy budding artists
They’re building, painting and drawing up a storm at Kidsfirst Greymouth, with tamariki so busy trying their hand at different artistic styles, kaiako had to find more space to showcase it all. There’s so much to explore and learn at kindy, with loads of fun along the way, and the best thing is – the mess that’s made at kindy stays at kindy. Kei hea kē mai koutou Kidsfirst Greymouth, we can’t wait to see what you’ll come up with next ❤️🎨
Creepy-crawlies spark curiosity
There’s nothing like a bucketload of creepy-crawlies to spark the curiosity of tamariki. A sampling of drain-dwellers brought in by a Kidsfirst Greymouth dad opened up a world of wondering about what else might be dwelling in the depths, including the possibility of ‘mosquito fish’, which were the topic of much discussion. Thanks to all the whānau who take time to bring new ideas and experiences to te ao kindy every day – ka mau te wehi – you help make our kindergartens an awesome places to be 🦞❤️
Windy Whacky Wednesday hits the shelfs
We are so proud of Kidsfirst Greymouth Head Teacher, Tracy Jennings, whose children’s book, ‘The Windy Whacky Wednesday’ now graces the shelves of Paper Plus Greymouth and Wānaka. Kindergarten tamariki played a big part in the process, with advice and feedback along the way. Tracy says their input was invaluable, “Children are the best critics!” Kei hea kē mai koe, Tracy, what fantastic mahi.
Sun, sprinklers & fun on the West Coast
There’s nothing like a good water fight to stay cool on a hot West Coast day. Kidsfirst Greymouth had been waiting for a day of water play since the end of last year, and finally got their chance last week, when the weather cooperated. Tamariki relished the opportunity to get their teachers, as well as their friends wet with water soakers, water balloons, a water slide and a sprinkler. Kaiako, whānau and tamariki made sure togs and a change of clothes came to kindy that day, so everybody went home dry and happy.
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A proudly New Zealand owned and operated not-for-profit kindergarten association with over 110 years of kiwi heritage
