Find Our Kindergarten
20 Chadbury St
Parklands
Christchurch
New Zealand
Why Choose Us
At Kidsfirst Parklands, our location creates a hub of learning between Parkview Primary School and Te Pukeko sports centre.
The focus is on encouraging a love of learning and discovery in tamariki. Fully qualified, registered kaiako use their passion and experience to spark curiosity and support tamariki to become confident problem solvers.
Day-to-day kindergarten life extends beyond our gates through regular adventures to our local forest, library, parks, and supermarket. These excursions help children build deep connections with their community while developing an understanding of their wider world.
Inside our home-like environment, thoughtfully chosen resources invite exploration and discovery. Our approach honours the mana, wairua and mauri that tamariki and their whānau bring, creating spaces where each child’s uniqueness guides our practice. The languages and cultures of our community are woven into daily kindy life, and we are privileged to have generous-spirited whānau with roots all over the world who regularly share their experiences and knowledge.
Outside, our Big Backyard is a great space for appropriate risk-taking through real tool use and physical challenges. Children build confidence as they swing, climb and dig, setting their own challenges while developing new skills.
Our close partnership with Parkview School, including regular visits and teacher exchanges, supports smooth transitions when children are ready for that all important next step.
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
Te Rā o te Whaea Celebrations
We celebrate the mahi and aroha of mothers all year round at Kidsfirst, and te Rā o te Whaea is always a special day across our kindergartens. Kidsfirst Parklands marked the big day with a specially themed morning tea this year, where tamariki shared kai, and gifted handmade cards and photo frames to the special mums in their lives. The event was themed “Aroha mai, aroha atu – Love received, love returned”. What a great way to say thanks to the mothers who do so much for us all, every day of the year ❤️🍰
Where tools meet teaching
Our non-profit kindergartens have been at the heart of communities for over 110 years, and they’re always grateful for donations from local businesses. Tamariki at Kidsfirst Parklands were excited to receive a gift of building supplies and have been busy growing their carpentry skills ever since. Ngā mihi nui, Mitre 10 MEGA Ferrymead – your generous koha is very much appreciated ❤️
Kindergarten donating in love
At kindergarten we celebrate manaakitanga every day. Kidsfirst Parklands put their heads and hearts together, and with the help of whānau donated three boxes full of clothing, along with a beautiful handmade card to local organisation Clothed in Love – Christchurch. Tino pai tō mahi, Kidsfirst Parklands, what a way to nutrure aroha ❤️😊
Cancer Society support blossoms
It’s the first day of spring, and nothing marks the change of season like a bunch of fresh daffodils. 🌼 It was a day of yellow at Kidsfirst Parklands, who also took the opportunity to give back to the The Cancer Society of New Zealand. Amazing manaakitanga, Kidsfirst Parklands ❤️☀️
Exploring nature and making discoveries
They’re embracing a world of natural wonder at Kidsfirst Parklands, where tamariki have been exploring and making lots of discoveries in their big backyard. The garden is always a hub of activity, and lately, has seen few more visitors than normal – some slugs hve made themselves at home amongst the foliage. It was a great learning experience for all, as kaiako and tamariki worked together to identify the visitors as Yellow cellar slugs, as well as an opportunity to continue to be kaitiaki of their kindy environment 🌱🌳
Birdsong from local puppeteers
The birdsong was loud and clear at Kidsfirst Parklands when Birdlife Productions – a local group of puppeteers – came to visit. They presented their show about native birds and a little boy who watches them. Tamariki sat wide-eyed as they heard the call of the Ruru, Pīwakawaka, Kererū, and Tūī. It was a fantastic way to learn about Aotearoa’s unique native birds, to connect tamariki with their place, and for them to be proud kaitiaki of their surrounding areas.
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A proudly New Zealand owned and operated not-for-profit kindergarten association with over 110 years of kiwi heritage
