Find Our Kindergarten
Why Choose Us
At Kidsfirst Vickery Street, tamariki beam with pride as they welcome visitors from our community, forming friendships that often last well beyond their kindergarten years. We welcome our whānau who enrich our programme, sharing precious cultural traditions through stories, cooking, creative expression and music, and experiencing the joy of learning alongside their tamariki.
Young explorers regularly venture into Kaiapoi, discovering their role as kaitiaki while helping to keep public spaces clean and tidy and visiting local parks. These adventures help children understand their connection to their community and their responsibility to care for the environment. When it’s time for the next step in their learning journey, our strong relationships with local primary schools help make this transition exciting and natural.
In our light-filled spaces, tamariki choose between quiet corners for creativity and vibrant zones for collaborative play. Our fully qualified, registered kaiako create a calm yet engaging atmosphere where children’s natural curiosity leads their learning journey.
Our legendary Big Backyard buzzes with activity as children learn to use real tools and gardening equipment under the careful guidance of our kaiako. Here, tamariki develop confidence as they learn to make safe choices while exploring the wonders of nature, from seasonal changes to the fascinating lives of insects and birds that share our space.
Nau mai, tauti mai – come and 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.
Latest News
Celebrating with cultural crafts
Spooky face painting for halloween
Things got spooky at Kidsfirst Vickery Street this Halloween, and tamariki loved having the chance to get into some face painting. What an awesome way to celebrate, Kidsfirst Vickery Street 🎃🧛🏻👻
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A proudly New Zealand owned and operated not-for-profit kindergarten association with over 110 years of kiwi heritage
