Find Our Kindergarten
Why Choose Us
Kidsfirst Mathers Road is a special place for tamariki to learn and develop in their early years. There’s loads of room for fun, friendship and learning, and for children to develop strong social skills while exploring our park-like environment.
Our fully qualified, registered kaiako place special emphasis on supporting tamariki to build and maintain peer relationships. Through thoughtful guidance, tamariki learn to navigate social challenges while developing the confidence to form lasting friendships.
Inside our light-filled spaces, children discover carefully curated resources that spark curiosity and investigation. Our approach honours the mana, wairua and mauri each child brings, allowing learning to unfold at their own pace in an atmosphere free from hurry.
In our Big Backyard, tamariki set their own physical challenges. Established trees create natural shelter for year-round outdoor exploration, while peaceful nooks offer spaces for quiet reflection.
We maintain strong connections with local primary schools, ensuring smooth transitions when children are ready for their next learning journey.
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.
What Families Say
Latest News
Cook Islands Māori Language Week
Kia Orana! It’s been a busy and exciting Cook Islands Māori Language Week for our kindergartens. At Kidsfirst Mathers Road, visitors from Kuki Learning shared Pokē Meika (Banana Poke), imene and ura – hymns and dances. The next day, tamariki and kaiako from Kidsfirst Hoon Hay joined the Mathers Road celebrations with kai, singing and dancing, and further spread aroha, kotahitanga and whanaungatanga.
Loving celebrations for Mothers Day
There was plenty of aroha for all of the māmā in the Kidsfirst whānau with Mother’s Day last Sunday. Kidsfirst Mathers Road mums, step-mums, grandmothers and aunties were guests at a high tea, where tamariki shared their love with some sign language messages practised during the week. Ka pai for spreading the aroha, Kidsfirst Mathers Road ❤️🥰
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A proudly New Zealand owned and operated not-for-profit kindergarten association with over 110 years of kiwi heritage
