At Kidsfirst Vickery Street, the seven Uara Waypoints aren’t just words on the wall – they’re alive in all aspects of kindergarten life, enriching the experience for tamariki and whānau alike.

Kidsfirst’s Uara are there when whānau are welcomed from their first visit, when children help each other without being asked, and when the whole community comes together for shared celebrations. The kindergarten was recognised as Ngā Whetū o Kidsfirst Uara this year for all the ways they bring these values to life.

“There’s always a nice feel when you visit – it’s a welcoming place,” says Hannah Jay from the Kidsfirst Education Team. “All children are a taonga here and this is at the foundation of everything they do.”

Kidsfirst Professional Leader Jeanne Williams agrees that the felt sense of the Uara is strong at this kindergarten.

“Manaakitanga radiates through acts of care and kindness and a warm and inclusive atmosphere where everyone is welcome and supported. You can’t miss it as soon as you step in the door.”

That sense of welcome creates a foundation for everything else that happens at Vickery Street. It’s in the ways kaiako greet each child, how whānau linger to chat after drop-off, and when community celebrations bring generations together.

Tamariki’s voices are listened to as they share their thoughts and ideas, and whakaute extends beyond conversations to include care for the environment, cultural heritage, and the diversity within their kindergarten community. When tamariki see their own cultures and ideas reflected and celebrated, they learn that who they are matters.

Kotahitanga is alive each kindergarten day as whānau, kaiako, and tamariki work together towards shared goals. Whether it’s participating in cultural celebrations, caring for their kindergarten spaces, or learning about kaitiakitanga, there’s a sense that everyone contributes to something bigger than themselves.

The Vickery Street teaching team looks for ways to find whakamanamana in every kindy day, making learning fun as tamariki discover what they’re good at, and are encouraged to try new things in their own way and feel pride in their achievements.

Through hands-on experiences in the Big Backyard, tamariki practise caring for the world around them and understand more about their role in looking after Papatūānuku.

The depth of whanaungatanga at this kindergarten shows in the relationships that thread through every aspect of kindergarten life. Tamariki build lasting friendships while learning how to work alongside their friends and contribute to their community. Immediate and extended whānau are welcomed and encouraged to be involved, creating connections that often go beyond the kindy gates and last well beyond kindergarten years.

With over 36 years at the heart of the Kaiapoi community, the kindergarten is a firm fixture in the town. Regular walks out and about help tamariki feel a stronger sense of place, while strong links with local schools support smooth transitions when it’s time for the next step in their learning journey.

Underpinning everything is whakapono – the trust that makes genuine relationships possible. Whether between kaiako and tamariki, or among whānau and the teaching team, this foundation ensures open communication and understanding. Whānau know their children are in a place where they’ll be seen and valued for who they are and that their individuality is recognised, too.

At Kidsfirst, whakapono also means ‘walking the talk’, and this is evident in the ways the team shares their knowledge with other Kidsfirst teaching teams, and more widely with Early Childhood Education colleagues in national forums.

At Kidsfirst Vickery Street values are lived, not just taught. Here, tamariki don’t just learn about respect, care and belonging – they experience these every day through the way they’re welcomed, supported and celebrated. The recognition as Ngā Whetū o Kidsfirst Uara reflects what whānau have always known: that this is a place where children thrive because they’re valued for exactly who they are, where families feel genuinely connected, and where the foundations laid in these early years nurture confident, caring young people ready to make their mark on the world.