Kidsfirst Kindergartens Lady May

Welcome to Kidsfirst Kindergartens Lady May, located in the vibrant and diverse neighborhood of Upper Riccarton, Christchurch. Situated on Haynes Avenue, just across the road from Hansons Park and the local playground, our institution is a point of interest and a school that offers a unique learning experience for children aged 2-5 years.

At Kidsfirst Kindergartens Lady May, we pride ourselves on our large, peaceful, and natural environment. Our multicultural program and focus on community, Te Ao Māori, and bicultural practice make us stand out. We believe that learning should be fun, and we value playfulness, adventure, creativity, and exploration as essential elements of education.

Outside, our kindergartens boast a large, leafy backyard with fruit trees and vegetable gardens. This provides the perfect setting for curious learners and creative imaginations. We have a variety of challenging climbing and physical play equipment that encourages active exploration. With grass, barked areas, and specially designed equipment, we support children's physical growth and development. Our outdoor space offers ample opportunities for running, jumping, climbing, swinging, and exploring, as well as peaceful places to connect with nature and understand our natural world.

At Kidsfirst Kindergartens Lady May, we believe in empowering children to make safe choices and manage risks. Our tamariki (children) have the opportunity to choose and learn to use real resources such as saws, hammers, nails, gardening equipment, spades, and shovels. This hands-on approach helps them develop important life skills.

Our teaching team is dedicated to creating a strong sense of belonging. We encourage children to show Manaakitanga (caring for each other) and Kaitiakitanga (caring for our environment). Together with children and whānau (families), our Kaiako/teachers design a rich and responsive learning environment that caters to both group interactions and individual play and learning. We foster self-direction and support children in creating their own challenges and achieving them.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Whāriki, the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum, form the foundation of our teaching and learning approach. We embrace concepts such as kotahitanga (unity), tuakana/teina (reciprocal roles of teacher and learner), and ako (educator learning from the child). Inclusion, equity, and fairness are central to our values, and our qualified and experienced teaching team is committed to these principles.

At Kidsfirst Kindergartens Lady May, we believe that building trusting, caring, and respectful relationships with whānau/families is essential. We value the contributions of parents and whānau, who actively participate in discussions about their aspirations for their children and spend time with us during sessions. Sharing knowledge, strengths, language, and culture with our Kaiako/teachers and children enriches our learning environment.

Community and connectedness are at the heart of what we do. We have strong links with local primary schools, which support a smooth transition for children moving on from kindergarten to school. Our institution hosts numerous community events and celebrations. We believe in knowing and caring for the people in our community, and they reciprocate by caring for us and our kindergarten. In fact, our kindergarten has a community garden at the front, where ideas, plants, seeds, and produce are shared. Regular visits to the local library, school, park, and shops help our children explore and understand their place in the community.

We recommend enrolling your child for at least two full days initially, gradually building up to five days at their pace. This allows our teachers to get to know your child and ensures consistency in supporting their learning journey.

Nau mai, tauti mai - come in any time! We welcome you to visit Kidsfirst Kindergartens Lady May and experience our warm and inclusive environment. Our friendly staff will be delighted to show you around.

Keep an eye out for our special offers, which allow more children to join our not-for-profit, community kindergarten. Hurry, as spaces are limited, and these offers only apply for a limited time. Conditions apply.