Find Our Kindergarten
1 McCormacks Bay Road
Mount Pleasant
Christchurch
New Zealand
Why Choose Us
With its large, tree-filled backyard and state-of-the-art playground, Kidsfirst The Bays draws inspiration from its iconic setting every day.
Tamariki are inspired by the local landscape as they learn, play and connect in light-filled indoor spaces and the natural wonderland of our Big Backyard. Every day, tamariki embark on daily adventures, guided by fully qualified, registered kaiako who celebrate each child’s unique way of learning.
There’s something to discover in every corner of our specially designed playground – tamariki follow stepping stones through native forests, cross wooden boardwalks and scale climbing rocks around our remarkable sandpit, all while native birds provide a natural soundtrack to their play.
Ako, rangatiratanga and holistic development are the focus, while spontaneity, humour and joy is woven throughout every day. There’s a strong emphasis on sustainability, as tamariki deepen connections with nature and grow in their role as kaitiaki of the natural environment. Every day brings new opportunities for laughter, discovery and joy as children explore, create and grow together.
From quiet story times under natural shade to active exploration on our challenging play equipment, children’s natural curiosity and creativity flourish in our coastal setting, and it’s a great place to build friendships that can last a lifetime.
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
Kaitiakitanga for ocean friends
Kidsfirst The Bays marked New Zealand Sea Week with a visit from Jenny of Project Jonah New Zealand. Tamariki learned about the marine environment and the importance of kaitiakitanga for Papatūānuku, with fascinating facts about sea mammals. Everybody learned how to care for a whale stranded on the beach – a great skill to have when the ocean is your big backyard. Awesome manaakitanga, everyone 🩵 Ka rawe.
Kindy neighbours share the aroha
One of the benefits of being part of Kidsfirst is our kotahitanga – we’re so much better together, thanks to having nearly 70 kindys in our network. It’s the Kidsfirst way to offer manaakitanga when somebody is in need, so when Kidsfirst Ōpāwa St Martins needed a temporary home while their kindy was being renovated, our Hargest Crescent, Beckenham and The Bays kindergartens welcomed them with open arms. Ōpāwa St Martins kaiako kept tamariki settled and whānau connected through it all, and in the spirit of ako, there was learning and growth for everybody. We were proud to recognise the teams as Ngā Whetū at this year’s Annual General Meeting for their whakaute, whanaungatanga and more. He whānau kotahi tatou – we are all one big family at Kidsfirst.
The Bays unique Big Backyard
In Kidsfirst’s Big Backyards, tamariki learn more about the world around them, and how to care for it. Kidsfirst The Bays is fortunate to have two backyards to explore and nurture – the one attached to the kindergarten, and across the road, the sea shore. The learning continued well beyond the recent Sea Week, as tamariki learned about keeping the ocean clean from rubbish, how to look after whales if they become stranded, and created a mural for the kindy wall. Ka pai tō mahi, Kidsfirst The Bays, what a way to be good kaitiaki 🌊❤️🐳
Rā whānau ki a koe to three kindys!
We all love a birthday, and with almost 70 kindergartens, there’s always something to celebrate across the network. Kidsfirst Niu, The Bays, and Burnham have all had big days over recent weeks. Rā whānau ki a koe to all of you.
Collecting natural resources for play
While all of our kindergartens have the goal of using less plastic in their play, they outwardly explore new ways of achieving such a shift. A great example of this is Kidsfirst The Bays, who travelled into the nearby reserve to collect natural resources to use in their learning.
Manaakitanga for hatched hen
Manaakitanga (care for others) was at the forefront of learning for Kidsfirst The Bays’, when their brooding hen hatched an egg she had been laying on, just in time for Easter. The tamariki were more than ready to offer up their support. They’ve been looking after their new chick, observing its growth and its changing colours, with real enthusiasm.
Raising baking for new carpentry area
The kindergarten bake sale has been a tradition for as long as kindy has existed, and they’re always a great way to get tamariki involved, connect with friends, whānau and local communities Kidsfirst Kaiako sold out when they set up shop at Estuary Fest on the weekend, raising money for a new carpentry area. Thanks to everyone who supported the Bays, and we hope you enjoyed the treats.
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A proudly New Zealand owned and operated not-for-profit kindergarten association with over 110 years of kiwi heritage
