Find Our Kindergarten
Why Choose Us
Children develop a strong sense of belonging through regular exploration of these neighbouring spaces. As young kaitiaki, they discover their special role within the community while exploring local environments.
In light-filled spaces with a calm and friendly wairua, children’s creativity shines through displayed artwork and projects. Thoughtfully arranged resources inspire curiosity and discovery, while fully qualified, registered kaiako honour each child’s unique mana, wairua and mauri, supporting their individual learning journeys.
The rich multicultural fabric of Hei Hei comes alive as whānau share their skills, languages, and cultures. Children experience hands-on learning about sustainability in the vegetable garden, from planting seeds, to harvesting and preparing nutritious kai.
Strong relationships with local primary schools help create smooth transitions when children are ready for their next learning adventure.
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
Lion Dancing for Lunar New Year
As they have for many years now, Kidsfirst Hei Hei played host to vibrant and exciting lion dancing to celebrate the Lunar New Year, enthralling tamariki. Along with special creative projects for the Year of the Snake, tamariki have also been practising their Chinese calligraphy, and loved sharing the experience with whānau 🐍❤️
Waka for Māori Language Week
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori is an opportunity for all of us to practise using existing words and phrases, learn new ones, and give te reo a go in more places. Kidsfirst Hei Hei tamariki decided a waka would be the perfect focus for this year’s Māori Language Week, and so they set about building it out of old boxes. That opened the door to a world of box-transport options, including turning the boxes into a pahi – bus, and tereina – train. Te reo Māori versions of familiar songs were sung, including Ngā Wira o Te Pahi – The Wheels on the Bus, and Hoea Te Waka – Row Your Boat. And once that fun and exploration was over, the boxes became soccer goals, places to hide and slides. There’s nothing like a simple idea leading to grand adventures, and they happen every day at kindy. Tau kē, Kidsfirst Hei Hei, it’s a great way to bring the spirit of Te Wiki o te reo Māori to life.
Celebrating sibling connections
Kidsfirst Hei Hei has been serving its local community for more than 60 years, and families just keep on coming back. Many sibling sets pass through the kindy gates each year, and the kindy is so close-knit, many stay in touch throughout the school years. “These precious tamariki were cherished members of our vibrant learning community not so long ago,” says teacher, Ngam Brown, “and it fills our hearts to welcome back so many familiar faces at pick up and drop off times.” Always welcome, too, are the littler ones, eagerly awaiting their opportunity to start kindy themselves. Poipoia te kākano kia puāwai – nurture the seed, and it will blossom 😊🌱❤️
Getting colourful for Holi
It’s the most colourful time of the year at our kindergartens, and Kidsfirst Hei Hei really got into the swing of it for Holi, the Festival of Colour. Parent Sowjanya Kolli helped kaiako look the part of the day with traditional saris, and wowed everybody with a traditional dance performance. Tamariki got into the swing of things, and loved it so much one of them asked “is she coming back to do another dance?”. We love celebrating all the cultures that make up the wider Kidsfirst whānau. Thanks to parents like Sowjanya for helping us to bring them to life 🎉❤️🌏
Welcoming the Year of the Dragon
This is the Year of the Dragon, and we wish everyone a Happy Lunar New Year. Every year, there’s a flurry of activity in our kindergartens, and they got in earlier this week at Kidsfirst Hei Hei. Tamariki, whānau and kaiako got into the spirit of the season with amazing food, crafts, stories, and even Dragon dances! There’s always a lot going on at kindy, no matter the time of year 😊🧧
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 🌴❤️
Hāpara with dominoes
At kindergarten, tamariki learn through play – at their own pace, and in their own time. Dominoes are a fun way to explore a raft of mathematical concepts, and to explore the laws of motion, force, movement, and more, as these Kidsfirst Hei Hei tamariki discovered. It all adds up to a lifelong love of learning – ka pai tō mahi, Kidsfirst Hei Hei, what great work ❤️😊
More firefighter fun
It was a day to remember at Kidsfirst Hei Hei when a big red firetruck from Fire and Emergency NZ/Whakaratonga Iwi rolled up to the kindy gate. Kia ora to the firefighters who took so much time with tamariki – you made their day 🚒🧑🚒🚨
Building blocks bring BIG learning
They’ve been building with blocks at Kidsfirst Hei Hei. Although it looks like simple play, block building can support tamariki’s development in mathematics, science, and creative thinking, and encourage problem-solving. It’s also a great way to spend some time having fun with friends. Koia kei a koutou, Kidsfirst Hei Hei, you’re awesome ❤️😊
Autumnal adventures for tamariki
They’re making the most of their big backyard this autumn at Kidsfirst Hei Hei. It’s a great time of year to explore the sights, smells, and experiences the season brings, as well as catch up with old friends and make new ones after the term break. Ka mau te wehi, Kidsfirst Hei Hei, what an awesome start to the term 🍁🍂
Lunar New Year Celebrations
A troupe of Chinese waist drummers performed for excited tamariki and their whānau at Kidsfirst Hei Hei last week, as part of the kindergarten’s Lunar New Year celebrations. Tamariki have also been practising Chinese calligraphy, making special red envelopes and much more ❤️🐰
Start of term launches fun, laughter and learning
Today was the first day of Term 3, and tamariki had a great time connecting with friends, and getting into the fun, learning and laughter of kindergarten. It was a big day for Kidsfirst Wigram and Hei Hei, who have shared some photos with us – kei runga noa atu – what awesome mahi.
Creating sustainable stars
Matariki brings us all closer to te ao Māori – and with this year’s inaugural holiday weekend still fresh in everyone’s minds, tamariki have been busy bringing this special time to life. Kidsfirst Bush and Hei Hei have brought a good dose of kaitiakitanga to their celebrations, using recycled materials and paint to create their own versions of the Matariki stars. As always, precious time with whānau, and good kai was a feature of a very special week. What an awesome way to recognize this special time period – kei hea kē mai koutou – you’re fantastic
Stuffed animal get-together raises spirits
Kidsfirst Hei Hei weren’t about to let the pandemic get in the way of a kindy get together – even if COVID restrictions meant the only guests that could be there were their stuffed animals. Tamariki brought along their lunchboxes, and stuffed toy friends, and enjoyed strengthening whanaungatanga (relationships) and mana whenua (belonging). Kā pai, Kidsfirst Hei Hei, what a great way to say, “he whānau kotahi tatou” – we’re all one big family.
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!
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A proudly New Zealand owned and operated not-for-profit kindergarten association with over 110 years of kiwi heritage
