Find Our Kindergarten
Why Choose Us
Your child will experience the magic of coastal learning at Kidsfirst Sumner, where our unique Ngahere room, featuring murals of the local landscape, provides a special gathering space where tamariki connect with their seaside environment.
As young kaitiaki of the seafront steps, children’s learning extends naturally beyond our gates. Through regular beach visits, tamariki actively learn to protect marine environments by participating in beach clean-ups while developing deep connections with their coastal heritage.
Our expansive Big Backyard invites children to explore in a sustainable environment rich with natural and recycled materials. Here, your child will discover seasonal changes through native trees, while the insect hotel and worm farm bring the wonders of natural lifecycles to tamariki.
Sharing a fence with Sumner School creates unique opportunities for siblings and friends to maintain connections throughout the day. These casual catch-ups through the fence compliment our formal school visits, supporting natural transitions for tamariki when they are ready to take the next step.
A Tiriti-based curriculum weaves local cultural histories and stories into daily experiences, while web-based portfolios enable whānau to actively participate in their child’s learning journey.
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.
What Families Say
Latest News
Sharing the aroha to our firefighters
It’s been a busy time for Canterbury firefighters, and a stressful start to the year for those affected by recent fires. Tamariki at Kidsfirst Sumner were very aware of what was happening on the other side of the hill, and were concerned about the impact on people, animals, insects and the environment. In the spirit of whanaungatanga, they created cards to show their whakawhetai – gratitude – to brave and hard-working local firefighters. A big ngā mihi nui to the Sumner Volunteer Fire Brigade. Thanks for keeping us all safe ❤️😊
Tamariki’s garden tour fundraiser
It’s a big day for Kidsfirst Sumner tomorrow as they get ready for a fundraising Garden Tour, with all koha going towards enhancements of the kindy’s Big Backyard. Tamariki are excited the big day is nearly here – their mahi has grown their sense of contribution by adding to the beauty of the environment, getting parents, friends and extended whānau involved, and building local awareness of the event. Kei runga noa atu – what great mahi 🌷❤️
Tamariki learn fire safety
There’s nothing like a fire truck to get the excitement going at kindy. Recently, Kidsfirst Sumner were lucky enough to be visited by Rae, Paul and Jack from the Sumner Volunteer Fire Brigade along with their awesome fire truck. Tamariki learned all about the importance of smoke alarms, what to do if they see or smell smoke, and how to get to a safe place outside if a fire happens. Handy hint – the letterbox is a great spot for this. Each child had the chance to have a turn squirting the fire hose and climbing into the fire engine! The sirens and lights were a particular highlight. Thank you, Whakaratonga Iwi, Fire and Emergency NZ, it’s always great to see you 🚒❤️
All our aroha for our fundraising star
Here’s to our incredible parents
It’s the UN Global Day of Parents – where would we be without them? As well as doing the hard work of being tamariki’s first teachers, they give so much to our kindergartens every day. We were excited to recognise Kidsfirst Sumner dad, Nik Colley, with a Kidsfirst Community Champion award at our AGM last week. Ngā mihi nui, to you and all our wonderful whānau, for all you do ❤️😊
Totara tree for King’s Coronation
Kidsfirst Sumner’s big backyard just got bigger. As part of the Department of Conservation’s He Rā Rākau Tītapu (an initiative to plant 100,000 native trees nationwide to commemorate the coronation of King Charles III) the kindergarten was gifted a totara tree by the Christchurch City Council. Tamariki were so excited to help choose a spot and plant the tree. Ka rawe, Kidsfirst Sumner 👑🌱❤️
Back into the fun, learning & friendship
Local community support playground revamp
Mega fundraising efforts at Mitre 10
They’re hard at work at Kidsfirst Sumner, getting ready for a big day of fundraising tomorrow, for an even better #betterbecause Big Backyard. Head on down to Ferrymead Mitre 10 Mega, between 9am and 4pm tomorrow, and grab a fresh-off-the-BBQ sausage, or bacon butty. You’ll be supporting a great cause in the process. See you there!
Sunflower surprises in the garden
Kidsfirst Sumner’s big backyard had a surprise for tamariki when they returned from their summer break – the sunflowers they planted last August had grown to an enormous height. The children learned about the seeds and their life cycle, from birds eating and distributing them, to the children collecting and planting their own. This is the perfect opportunity to learn about being kaitiaki in one of our #BigBackyards.
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A proudly New Zealand owned and operated not-for-profit kindergarten association with over 110 years of kiwi heritage
