Find Our Kindergarten
533 St Asaph St
Phillipstown
Christchurch
New Zealand
Why Choose Us
Kidsfirst Phillipstown’s multicultural community creates a uniquely diverse learning environment. Fully qualified, registered kaiako support tamariki to celebrate their cultural identities while building an understanding of others’ traditions and perspectives. 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.
You’ll often see us out and about in our community, using the opportunity to help our tamariki make connections to the wider community, and supporting them to make sense of their place in it. We have strong links with our local primary schools, which supports the transition to school for you and your child, as he/she moves on from Kindergarten.
Kidsfirst Kindergartens Phillipstown is a well-resourced kindergarten with a spacious, welcoming, and attractive and child-centred environment for children. Inside we provide lots of opportunities to try new things, inspire curiosity and develop creativity through play. We work to provide an atmosphere full of fun in a beautiful and natural environment that gives our children independence and sense of belonging.
Our beautiful, Big Backyard has wide, open spaces for children to be challenged, to explore and to develop their physical skills, with a variety of moveable equipment that allows children to set their own challenges. Green grass, gardens, areas to experience physical challenges such as climbing trees, and equipment specially designed to support children’s physical growth and development are features, and our big trees provide shelter outside in all weather.
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
