Phillipstown
Monday to Friday.
Our teaching team
Indoors, our kindergarten has a homelike feel where children aged 2 – 5 years can access a range of resources that are carefully and intentionally presented to evoke thinking and exploration. This is a place that embraces the mana, wairua and mauri our tamariki bring when they come to us. Tamariki here are encouraged to be mindful and in awe of the world around them, and respectful of the environment they play and learn in.
Outside at Kidsfirst Phillipstown our beautiful, big backyard comes complete with chickens, and a huge vegetable and fruit garden which tamariki and whānau help us to care for – sharing in the produce and cooking what we grow. A mud kitchen, sand pit and gravel pit, wilderness area and a hill to ride bikes down are all activities which challenge and support physical development. We have a giant tree in the grounds that you could fit a house under, and a global village which we are developing in consultation with the community. Our big backyard offers tamariki freedom to explore and engage with the natural world outside, in all weather.
Our programme is all about inspiring our children to reach higher and explore all possibilities, and is based on the children’s interests and what they want to explore. Our teaching team supports uninterrupted and sustainable play, encouraging children to develop their problem solving skills, and engage within their learning environment. Children are seen as risk takers and strategic thinkers, confident and capable. Te Reo Maori and tikanga is reflected in our daily practice. A strong sense of Manaakitanga (caring and respect) and Whanaungatanga (family, relationships, history, traditions) are central to the culture that is Kidsfirst Kindergartens Phillipstown.
You're always welcome here - community and connectedness are at the heart of what we do. We look forward to making new connections, embracing the multiculturalism and diversity of our community. Building trusting, caring and respectful relationships with whānau/families over time is key to our success in supporting and facilitating children’s learning. Parents and whānau contribute in many ways, with discussions about their aspirations for children, spending time with us in session, sharing their knowledge and strengths, languages and cultures with kaiako/teachers and children, and enriching our programme.
We have strong links with our local primary schools, which supports the transition to school for you and your child, as he/she moves on from Kindergarten.
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 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.
