Find Our Kindergarten
Why Choose Us
At Kidsfirst Hāwea, children’s learning flourishes with an amazing natural environment to explore and inspire. Inside, tamariki can learn through play with thoughtfully curated resources that spark curiosity and independent thinking, while their unique voices, ideas, and cultural identities shape each day’s adventures.
The close-knit community becomes an extended classroom, where tamariki develop a strong sense of belonging and connection. Regular visits to the neighboring church, community hall and bike park help tamariki understand their special place in the Hāwea Flat community. Friendships blossom naturally as our tamariki interact with the local playgroup and school friends next door.
In our Big Backyard, children’s natural curiosity flourishes among towering climbing trees and abundant native plantings. Tamariki learn more about their role as kaitiaki of the environment as they tend to vegetable gardens, learn about composting and care for the worm farms. This rich outdoor setting is an environment where tamariki develop deep connections with nature while building physical confidence and understanding about Papatūānuku.
Inside, fully registered, qualified kaiako thoughtfully present resources that spark curiosity and independent thinking. Both tamariki and whānau input are pivotal in shaping their learning journey, acknowledging the mana, wairua and mauri each child brings to our kindergarten community. Our programme recognises play as meaningful work, where tamariki develop a deep understanding of their world through self-directed exploration.
Tamariki delight in the ever-changing Central Otago landscape where each season brings new discoveries. From snowy peaks to autumn colours, there’s endless inspiration for play and learning in our remarkable natural setting.
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. 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
Marine magic rolls into Hāwea
As summer officially kicks off across the motu, it’s a great time to practise some kaitiakitanga and learn more about our natural world. Despite their inland setting, Kidsfirst Hāwea tamariki had an exciting opportunity to get up close and personal with some marine critters when the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre’s Aquavan came to town. Tamariki learned about river health and relished the chance to find out more about our oceans, too. The kindy wouldn’t have been able to make this happen without help from the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre, Wai Wanaka, University of Otago, and the ever-supportive Hāwea community. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou – our thanks to all of you ❤️🦀
Kaitiakitanga in our community
It’s cosy at the Matariki campfire
Getting cosy around a campfire is the perfect way to celebrate Matariki, and even more special when it involves tamariki, whānau and kaiako in a kindy Big Backyard. At Kidsfirst Hāwea, this very special season kicked off with a dawn breakfast and tasty kai, a roaring fire and a view of the stars. Everybody used the time to reflect on the year that has been, and set goals for the one to come ✨❤️ Ka mahuta a Matariki i te pae, ka mahuta ō tātou tūmanako ki te tau – When Matariki rises above the horizon, our aspirations rise to the year ahead.
A big win for Susan the Scarecrow
All of our kindergartens love their big backyards – they are places to practise kaitiakitanga, learn about the world, and have fun. That’s exactly what tamariki and kaiako at Kidsfirst Hāwea did when they entered Susan The Scarecrow into a competition at Mitre 10 Mega Wanaka, and won. The $500 prize will be used to further enrich the kindy’s garden. Ka pai tō mahi, amazing work, Kidsfirst Hawea 🌻❤️
Flourishing garden at kindergarten
Kidsfirst Hāwea’s gardens – made possible thanks to the generosity of the Wanaka Community Workshop, and Rotary Club of Wanaka – are thriving. Lovingly nurtured by tamariki and kaiako, the garden is filled with fresh produce and colourful flowers that whānau are making the most of. Koia kei a koutou, Kidsfirst Hāwea, you’re awesome 🥰🌱🌸
Special delivery of seeds spread excitement
A special delivery of New World’s special seeds made the day for Kidsfirst Hāwea tamariki, when a big van pulled up full of lovely seedlings for the kindergarten’s Big Backyard. Kia ora New World, thanks for helping us be better kaitiaki of our kindergartens 🌱🪴💚
A sense of tūrangawaewae
Having is a sense of place in the world – tūrangawaewae – matters to all of us. Just as our kindergartens are tailored to meet the needs of their local communities, each is mindful of the natural world around them. For Kidsfirst Hāwea, Mount Roy, their maunga, is an important part of who they are, as kaiako Lucy Robins, explains.
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A proudly New Zealand owned and operated not-for-profit kindergarten association with over 110 years of kiwi heritage
