Kindy Daily

Marine magic rolls into Hāwea

As summer officially kicks off across the motu, it’s a great time to practise some kaitiakitanga and learn more about our natural world. Despite their inland setting, Kidsfirst Hāwea tamariki had an exciting opportunity to get up close and personal with some marine critters when the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre’s Aquavan came to town. Tamariki learned about river health and relished the chance to find out more about our oceans, too. The kindy wouldn’t have been able to make this happen without help from the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre, Wai Wanaka, University of Otago, and the ever-supportive Hāwea community. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou – our thanks to all of you ❤️🦀

Wales Street’s golden party week

There’s nothing like a kindergarten birthday to spark whakamanamana, and they sure know how to have fun at Kidsfirst Wales Street. Every day of the week celebrating their 50th brought a new focus, with crazy hats, a soft toy picnic, ice-cream treats, a movie, and more. Two cakes, including an allergy-friendly one lovingly prepared by whānau made sure that everybody got a celebratory slice, and there was another sugar rush when Kidsfirst Chief Executive Sherryll Wilson turned up with a special Kidsfirst offering. Now that’s how you celebrate 50 years — ka pai, Kidsfirst Wales Street ❤️ here’s to the next half century.

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.

Kindy yard grows from local love

We’re always grateful to those in our kindy communities who give back to us, and it’s a great example of kotahitanga for tamariki. Kidsfirst Avonhead recently renovated their Big Backyard with an upgrade to the sandpit and the addition of a new water feature. This was fundraised by the kindergarten, along with generous contributions from their community. The team wants to give a shout-out to Natureflow, Air Rescue, Christchurch City Council and Pub Charity Limited. Ka rawe, Kidsfirst Avonhead ☀️❤️

Classical musicians wow tamariki

Kidsfirst Frankton tamariki were captivated by classical musicians who visited the kindergarten during this year’s At World’s Edge music festival. This is the fourth year that the kindy has welcomed the group, and tamariki shared their manaakitanga with some kindy-baked cheese muffins for everyone to enjoy. Ka mau te wehi, Kidsfirst Frankton, here’s to celebrating whanaungatanga

Singing & dancing into Fiafia night

Kindergarten is such a great place to learn about the many worlds that make up te ao kindy. Kidsfirst Hornby tamariki were the stars of Hornby High School’s recent Fiafia night, when they performed Samoan pese on stage. Tamariki sang and moved to the beat of the pātē, all in front of a captivated audience. Kei hea kē mai koutou – what a way to bring the learning to life

Diwali celebrations for all

Here’s a look back at Diwali as we kick off the week, thanks to Kidsfirst East Rolleston. The festival brought some great whanaungatanga, with families who couldn’t be there joining by video call and loads of celebratory kindy activity

Sharing culture in the kindy kitchen

Whānau help make te ao kindy the very special place it is, and tamariki love learning more about the many cultures around them. Two Kidsfirst Greymouth mums brought their whanaungatanga to the kindy kitchen in Term 3, turning flour and water into roti bread that tasted great and sparked a world of wonder for tamariki, too. Ka rawe, Kidsfirst Greymouth – what a way to bring the learning to life

Kaitiakitanga in our community

Aroha on a Feel Good Friday

We’re having a Feel Good Friday as we roll into the long weekend with a moment of whanaungatanga at Kidsfirst Kendal Ave. These two had only been apart for a matter of days when they turned up to kindy on Monday, but the mutual ‘I missed you!’ was as heartfelt as it could get. What a great way to end the week – if you manage to get some downtime this long weekend, we hope you find lots of whanaungatanga and whakamanamana along the way