Find Our Kindergarten
121 Northcote Road
Northcote
Christchurch
New Zealand
Why Choose Us
In light-filled indoor spaces at Kidsfirst Northcote, 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 and at their own pace, with guidance from fully qualified, registered teachers.
Thoughtfully curated indoor spaces reflect our commitment to a calm learning environment. Resources are deliberately chosen and presented to spark investigation and wonder while supporting the mana, wairua and mauri each child brings to our kindergarten community.
Outside, established trees in the Big Backyard provide natural shelter for year-round exploration, creating spaces where children set their own physical challenges with others, and on their own. These thoughtfully designed spaces inspire children to develop awe and respect for their world while learning more about their role as kaitiaki of the natural environment. Quiet areas balance with active zones, allowing tamariki to choose experiences that match their energy and interests.
Regular excursions into our local community help tamariki understand their place in the wider world. Through strong connections with our local primary school, we create natural pathways for transition 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
Mural gift from high school
It will be a colourful start to the new kindy year when tamariki at Kidsfirst Northcote return to their play in a few weeks time. Last year, kaiako received an offer from Papanui High School art students who wished to take on the project of painting a new mural to reflect the kindy’s bicultural commitment, and display their connection to Aotearoa. After months of planning and painting, the students and their teachers delivered the kindergarten’s new taonga, complete with performances of waiata and a karakia from tamariki to welcome their new painting. What a fabulous way to show he whānau kotahi tatou – we’re all one big family at Kidsfirst ❤️😊
Kaitiakitanga for marine life
It was a day to learn all about the kaitiakitanga of our marine mammals at Kidsfirst Northcote when Project Jonah New Zealand came to visit. Volunteers from the organisation shared information about whales and dolphins, and how we can help them, and tamariki even got to respond to a whale rescue in the kindergarten sandpit. Tino pai tō mahi, Kidsfirst Northcote – great work 🐋🐬❤️
Tock the robot teaches Papatūānuku
Two of the most important ideas underlying the kindergarten philosophy are kaitiakitanga and whanaungatanga – and that is the spirit that was embraced by Kidsfirst Northcote when they invited their new friend Tock the Robot along to help them learn more about caring for Papatūānuku, our planet. Tock was accompanied by their friend, June, from the Christchurch City Council. Tamariki learned songs and enjoyed some environment-related activities. They are now experts in reducing, reusing, recycling, and reinventing their waste, to make their big backyard more sustainable, and care for their neighbourhood. Ka rawe, Kidsfirst Northcote – that’s awesome.
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A proudly New Zealand owned and operated not-for-profit kindergarten association with over 110 years of kiwi heritage
