Find Our Kindergarten
Why Choose Us
At Kidsfirst Wakatipu, children thrive in a welcoming environment that connects them to the natural beauty of their local surroundings. The mountains and lake views inspire children’s creativity while fostering a sense of belonging to this special region they call home. Each day brings new opportunities for tamariki to develop confidence, make friends and grow their love of learning.
Regular visits to Lake Wakatipu allow for tamariki to explore and connect with their natural environment. Experiences like these foster kaitiakitanga, as children develop a deep sense of guardianship through hands-on exploration, discovering how their actions can protect and care for the natural world while building lifelong values of environmental responsibility.
Our light-filled indoor spaces are thoughtfully equipped with resources that support children’s interests and encourage self-directed learning. Tamariki find comfortable spots for quiet activities as well as areas perfect for group play and collaboration with friends.
In our Big Backyard, tamariki develop practical skills and confidence by using real tools under close supervision. This hands-on experience helps them learn about making safe choices while building their independence and problem-solving abilities.
Fully qualified, registered kaiako work alongside tamariki, supporting their individual interests and helping them tackle new challenges. Through strong relationships based on manaakitanga, children feel secure to explore, take risks, and develop new skills at their own pace.
Parents and whānau are valued partners in their child’s learning journey. Each family’s language and identity enriches the kindergarten community and we encourage parents to share their culture and traditions through various activities and experiences.
Strong connections with local primary schools and opportunities for children to develop Tuakana-Teina relationships with older students help make the eventual transition to school a positive experience for both children and their families.
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
Wakatipu kindy beats the noise
Anyone who’s lived through construction on a neighbouring building site knows just how bad all that hammering, sawing, and bulldozing can get. Add in some blasting, jackhammering, multiple sites and two years’ worth of disruption to vehicles and pedestrians, and you’ll have some idea of just how much the Kidsfirst Wakatipu teaching team, whānau, and tamariki have been through over the past two years. The team was recognised as Ngā Whetū at Kidsfirst’s AGM this year for their positive attitude and creative approach, and also for their whakamanamana under trying circumstances.
A special first haircut
Racing for the kindy Olympics
With the Olympics on everyone’s mind, Kidsfirst Wakatipu tamariki and kaiako had a special day to celebrate all they’ve learned over the past few weeks. After excitedly watching different sports and learning about all the countries, the kindy decided to try things out for themselves – with sprint races, gymnastics and hockey all popular choices. Next up, watching Team New Zealand and the rest of the world at the Paralympics 🥇🇳🇿 Ka rawe, Kidsfirst Wakatipu, what a fantastic way to learn so much about what’s going on outside kindy.
Aurorae shines over big backyard
The weekend Aurorae will be a hot topic at kindy this morning, with loads of stories, learning and wonder to share. Kidsfirst Wakatipu captured this gorgeous snap of the view over their Big Backyard while it was all happening 🌌❤️ Ka pai, team Wakatipu, what a beautiful sight.
Getting scientific around the house
Something as simple as a basic science experiment can spark wonderment in tamariki. “Children learn strategies for active exploration, thinking and reasoning and develop working ideas for making sense of the world around them,” says teacher, Aimee Cornforth, from Kidsfirst Wakatipu. They have been growing their science knowledge and whanaungatanga (sense of community) by exploring reactions between basic household ingredients. What a great way for tamariki to engage their curiousity, learn to work together, and have fun, too.
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A proudly New Zealand owned and operated not-for-profit kindergarten association with over 110 years of kiwi heritage
