Find Our Kindergarten
19 Acheson Ave
Mairehau
Christchurch
New Zealand
Why Choose Us
At Kidsfirst MacFarlane Park, our place in this vibrant community, right next to the Shirley Community Centre, creates natural opportunities for community connection. Our weekly visits to the community garden reflect our commitment to building relationships beyond our gates while nurturing young gardeners.
Regular community walks in our bright hi-vis vests make us a familiar sight around Mairehau. These explorations help children understand their place in our neighbourhood while building relationships with local people and places.
Inside our home-like environment, children explore thoughtfully presented resources that spark curiosity and wonder. Te Ao Māori weaves through our programme, with strong emphasis on whanaungatanga and ūkaipōtanga creating deep connections within our diverse community. In light-filled indoor spaces, tamariki get plenty of time, opportunities and resources to be creative and expressive. One of the benefits of kindergarten is that they get to learn through their own interests and at their own pace.
The kindergarten’s Big Backyard invites active exploration and appropriate risk-taking, where children set and achieve their own challenges in our ever-changing environment. What sets us apart is our enthusiasm for learning in all weather – we believe rainy days offer some of our best discoveries. Our qualified, registered kaiako support tamariki to embrace every moment, whether splashing in puddles or tending to plants in the sunshine.
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.
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A proudly New Zealand owned and operated not-for-profit kindergarten association with over 110 years of kiwi heritage
