Linwood
Monday to Friday.
Our teaching team
Indoors has a homelike feel, where children can access a range of resources that are carefully and intentionally presented to evoke thinking and exploration. Learning occurs in all spaces at the child’s pace. This is an environment supportive of the mana, wairua and mauri our tamariki bring when they come to us. Tamariki are encouraged to be mindful and in awe of the world around them, and respectful of the environment they play and learn in.
You’ll find our tamariki, whānau and kaiako actively involved in rich learning experiences both in our kindergarten environment and out in the wider Linwood community. Our big backyard is an expansive, well-developed playground which has space for tamariki to actively explore and challenge themselves. There is plenty of room to kick balls, climb on boxes, swing and use our purpose-built scooter track. Our large bird aviary offers opportunities for the tamariki to learn how to care for pets and understand natural life cycles.
We get to know our children and their whānau well, fostering supportive and inclusive relationships to help and support our tamariki succeed with their learning. Here, children are celebrated and affirmed for who they are and what they bring to their learning.
The teaching team at Kidsfirst Linwood deliver a Tiriti-based curriculum, learning about and understanding the cultural history and stories of the Linwood area - and ways that these can enrich the programme offered to children. Te Ao Māori is given prominence in all aspects of our kindergarten programme. Our teachers place a strong focus on fostering a sense of Whanaungatanga (family, relationships, history, traditions) and Ūkaipōtanga (belonging and connection) - warmly welcoming and supporting children, parents and whānau. Kaiako value our parent’s voice, views and contributions to their children’s learning at the kindergarten.
At our kindergarten we promote and use culturally-responsive practices, knowledge and understandings that respect the Pacific cultures. The language, culture and identity of children and families is highly respected and celebrated, and are key to a positive, confident sense of self for our Pacific children.
We have a well- resourced literacy and numeracy programme which supports children with diverse needs, including English language learners.
You're always welcome here! We have an open door policy where whānau are welcome to stay and spend time during sessions with us anytime, discovering what we have to offer and bringing a richness to our programme. Once a term our kindergarten community come together to share and celebrate the learning happening in this place. These gatherings take place in the evenings so everyone can come - including extended whānau, past and present.
You’ll often see us out and about in our community, at the library, visiting our neighbourhood rest home, and at the beach, estuary and art gallery - helping tamariki make sense of and find out about their wider world. And we have regular visits from the CCC Outreach Librarian and local kaiawhina (Health Navigator) and have long-standing links with the community – local primary schools, Plunket, and social and family support agencies.
We would recommend that you enrol initially for at least two full days –building up to five days at your child's pace. This gives our teachers time to get to know your child and build a relationship, and gives consistency around supporting their learning.
Nau mai, tauti mai - come in any time, we’ll show you around and make you welcome!
From time to time we have special offers, to enable more children to come to our not-for-profit, community kindergarten. But hurry, spaces are limited and these offers only apply for a limited time. Conditions apply.
