At Kidsfirst East Rolleston, everybody is welcome, and that sentiment is evident in everyday kindy life. Recognised as Ngā Whetū o Kidsfirst Uara this year, the teaching team works hard to make this a place of belonging.

Tamariki chat with their hands using sign language, pictures around the kindy help everyone know what’s happening next, and the whole space feels like it’s been set up so all tamariki and children can join in and have fun together.

“Everyone is welcomed and valued for who they are and what they bring,” says Kidsfirst Professional Leader Sue Szentivanyi. “This isn’t just something they say – it’s what tamariki and whānau feel from the moment they arrive.”

Kaiako set up the kindy each day and tailor each day around each tamaiti’s individual way of learning. The team knows every child and whānau well and understands the unique needs of all.

There are visual reminders throughout the kindy, with tamariki often naturally using sign language as they play – this works for children with diverse strengths and ways of being, and means when a tamaiti starts at kindy, everything is already ready for them to jump right in.

“They think ahead about what tamariki might need so the kindergarten works well for everyone,” says Hannah Jay from the Kidsfirst Education Team.

At Kidsfirst it’s not only tamariki who learn. Kaiako are on a lifelong learning journey, too, and at East Rolleston, it’s clear how much the teaching team cares about getting better at what they do. This commitment to professionalism and ongoing learning is whakapono in action. Kaiako attend sign language classes in their own time, always looking for new ways to connect with tamariki and help them express themselves. When a tamaiti needs extra support, kaiako see it as a chance to learn something new and strengthen their mahi.

For lots of whānau in this growing part of Rolleston, the kindergarten is where they first get to know their new community. It has become a place where manaakitanga flourishes, and in turn, friendships start too. Family wheel-a-thons bring everyone together for a bit of fun while raising money for the kindy; diverse celebrations showcase all the different cultures that make up the community; and regular get-togethers help new friendships grow.

“They find creative ways to celebrate how wonderfully diverse the community is,” says Sue. “Whether it’s bike rides, celebrations, or family picnics.”

Recognising Diwali each year shows this perfectly, demonstrating kotahitanga as whānau and people in the community come together. Those who can’t make it in person join by video call so everyone can be part of the fun. Tamariki learn about different traditions while building on the whanaungatanga that makes their kindy and relationships so special.

What happens at the kindergarten makes a real difference beyond the playground. One dad shared how finding East Rolleston was like “a huge sense of relief” after struggling to find somewhere that would truly welcome his son, who communicates in non-verbal ways.

“Walking into Kidsfirst East Rolleston created a huge sense of relief for us when we were going through the uncertainty of his diagnosis. The kaiako at the kindergarten really know how to work with tamariki who think and learn differently.”

This dad’s words capture what many whānau discover at East Rolleston – a place where being different is celebrated, not something that creates difficulties. East Rolleston’s approach has helped individual tamariki make amazing progress, with teachers and kaiako advocating for tamariki and whānau as they work with support services and get ready for the transition to school.

East Rolleston’s web of support extends into their community, and the kindy is always so grateful for the koha of local businesses, friends of the kindy and community groups, who contribute to the feeling of whanaungatanga. This continuing support shows how quickly this new kindy has become an important part of the wider Rolleston community, with whakapono evident through the trust whānau instils in them.

“This is a welcoming team that works hard to ensure everybody feels a sense of belonging,” Sue says. “Inclusion sits at the heart of it all – everybody is welcomed and valued for who they are and their individuality.”