Kidsfirst Kindergartens Rutland Street

Welcome to Kidsfirst Kindergartens Rutland Street, located in Christchurch, New Zealand. Tucked away up a long driveway, our kindergarten is adorned with silhouettes of happy children, guiding you to our gate. At Kidsfirst Kindergartens Rutland Street, we believe in valuing, celebrating, and affirming each child for who they are and what they bring to their learning journey.

We understand that every child is unique, and we ignite an excitement for learning by recognizing and responding to their individual interests. Play is at the heart of learning and development for our tamariki (children), and our program is designed to foster exploration, inquiry, creativity, and a strong focus on sustainability.

Inside our kindergarten, tamariki have access to a wide range of resources carefully and intentionally presented to ignite thinking and exploration. Learning occurs in all spaces at the child's pace, acknowledging the mana (prestige), wairua (spirit), and mauri (life force) our tamariki bring with them. We encourage our tamariki to be mindful of and inspired by the world around them, and to be respectful of the environment they play and learn in. Our kaiako (teachers) ensure that the program is flexible and unstructured, allowing tamariki to lead and work in partnership with others. We proudly display tamariki's work, allowing them to revisit and celebrate their own learning.

Our beautiful, spacious backyard, surrounded by well-established trees, provides a natural space that offers countless opportunities for tamariki to try new things, take risks, inspire curiosity, and develop creativity through play. We strive to create an atmosphere filled with fun, where our children can experience independence and a sense of belonging. Moreover, our tamariki have the chance to learn about and care for the natural environment and the living world through exploration, curiosity, and hands-on experiences within our garden.

At Kidsfirst Kindergartens Rutland Street, our dedicated kaiako are responsive to the interests, strengths, and capabilities of all children aged 2-5 years. We take the time to truly get to know our tamariki and their whānau (families), fostering respectful relationships to support their learning journey. We also prioritize sustainable practices within our kindergarten and in the wider community, promoting kaitiakitanga (guardianship) of our world.

Community and connectedness are at the heart of what we do. We value the relationships we build with our whānau and look forward to making new connections. We encourage whānau to visit and share their skills, knowledge, language, and culture with us, enriching our program. As part of our commitment to the wider community, you will often see us out and about, helping our tamariki make connections and understand their place in the world as kaitiaki (guardians). We also have strong links with local primary schools, ensuring a smooth transition for your child as they move on from Kindergarten.

We recommend enrolling your child for at least two full days initially, gradually building up to five days at their own pace. This allows our teachers to get to know your child and provide consistent support for their learning.

We welcome you to visit us at any time. We take great pride in our unique learning environment and would love to show you around. Kidsfirst Kindergartens Rutland Street is truly a wonderful place to learn!

From time to time, we offer special promotions to enable more children to join our not-for-profit, community kindergarten. However, spaces are limited, and these offers only apply for a limited time. Conditions apply.