Kindy Daily

Tamariki celebrate Irish way

Tamariki arrived at Kidsfirst East Rolleston dressed in a whole range of green for St Patrick’s Day yesterday. There was lots of fun trying on wigs, making green pikelets, and getting stuck into green messy play. The children also hunted for some cheeky leprechauns who were hiding in the kindy’s Big Backyard ☘️🇮🇪 what an awesome way to celebrate.

Bright Holi fun at Avonhead

Every year, Holi, the Festival of Colour, just gets brighter at kindy, and this year was no exception. Kidsfirst Avonhead tamariki enjoyed a fun-filled time in their Big Backyard, with colourful Holi powder and traditional music. There’s so much to learn about cultural traditions and the world around us at kindy 🌏❤️ ka pai, Kidsfirst Avonhead.

Whānau join beach learning day

It’s been a busy start to ngahuru for our kindergartens close to the water. Kidsfirst Linwood headed to the estuary and Te Kai a Te Karoro – South Brighton – recently for a day of exploration, confidence building and learning about the natural world. Whānau and grandparents joined the adventure and provided much-appreciated help along the way as tamariki got up close to birdlife, pāpaka 🦀 and other beach dwellers. Ka mau te wehi 🌊❤️

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.

Growing green makes kindy sorbet

They’ve been making the most of what’s left of summer in the kitchen at Kidsfirst Edmonds Smith Street, where tamariki have been busy making sorbet. Careful kaitiakitanga in the kindy’s Big Backyard meant an abundance of plums and blackberries, and tamariki took turns adding ingredients and seeing them magically transformed into sweet treats. It was a great way to keep cool on a hot raumati day ☀️❤️🍦 ka pai, Kidsfirst Edmonds Smith Street.

Family fun keeps kindy hearts strong

Whānau and kotahitanga were the focus for a special Healthy Heart Day at Kidsfirst Templeton last week. Lots of energy was burned with egg and spoon, three-legged races, and sack jumping, before healthy kai was shared, and everyone had a well deserved rest ❤️ You’re awesome, Templeton – koia kei a koutou.

Water play makes kindy day shine

Raumati is always great at kindy, and in Central Otago they’ve been loving the warm weather that comes with the summer. Kidsfirst Cromwell tamariki Daisy, Natasha, and Flossy wanted to host a pool party, and kaiako brought out the sprinkler so everybody got a chance to have fun in the sun while keeping cool ⛱️☀️❤️

Kindy brings Te Tiriti to life

Waitangi Day is always a special one for our kindergartens as we explore its meaning and our country’s rich cultural history. This year, Kidsfirst Wales Street brought Te Tiriti to life with experiences, creativity and lots of learning about the art of waka carving. It was great to see so many whānau come along, too. Ka pai, Wales Street – what a way to mark this significant day ❤️

Visit from a motorsport champ

Fun, learning and excitement are a given at kindy, and there’s nothing more exciting for tamariki than the chance to sit in the driver’s seat of a special vehicle. Kidsfirst East Rolleston took it to the next level when champion midget race car driver, Jeremy Webb Motorsport, came to kindy. Everybody wanted to take turns in the driver’s seat, while Jeremy patiently answered all the important questions, including “where does the petrol go?” and “what does THIS button do?”. Our thanks to Jeremy and all the special people who make te ao kindy the magical place it is 🏁🏆

Celebrating with cultural crafts