Kidsfirst Kindergartens MacFarlane Park 19 Acheson Avenue, Shirley, Christchurch, Canterbury 8013

Welcome to Kidsfirst Kindergartens MacFarlane Park, located in Christchurch, Acheson Avenue. Our kindergarten is a vibrant and inclusive establishment that serves as a point of interest and a school for children aged 2 to 5 years.

Situated next to Macfarlane Park in Mairehau, our kindergarten is nestled between the bustling Shirley hub/cafe and the Macfarlane Park community centre. We are proud to be at the heart of our community, allowing us to create strong connections with our families and the wider community.

At Kidsfirst Kindergartens MacFarlane Park, our dedicated teachers, or Ngā kaiako, are responsive to the interests, strengths, and capabilities of every child in our care. We foster supportive and inclusive relationships to help our tamariki succeed in their learning journey. We celebrate and affirm each child for who they are and the unique contributions they bring to their learning.

Our indoor environment has a warm and homelike feel, providing children with access to a range of carefully presented resources that encourage thinking and exploration. Learning happens at each child's pace, allowing them to develop their skills and interests. We encourage our tamariki to be mindful and in awe of the world around them, as well as respectful of the environment in which they play and learn. Exploration and discovery are key components of our daily activities.

Outside, our expansive and well-developed playground offers ample space for children to actively explore and challenge themselves. Rain or shine, we believe the best learning happens when children are engaged with their surroundings. We are avid gardeners and visit our community garden weekly, further connecting our tamariki to the natural world.

Our skilled and experienced teaching team takes pride in fostering a strong sense of belonging among our tamariki. We encourage children to show Manaakitanga by caring for one another and Kaitiakitanga by caring for our environment. We support our tamariki in creating their own challenges and provide the necessary guidance for them to achieve their goals. At our kindergarten, we believe in giving things a go because there is a big world waiting to be discovered.

Te Ao Māori, the Māori world view, is deeply embedded in our kindergarten programme. Our teachers place a strong focus on fostering Whanaungatanga (family, relationships, history, and traditions) and Ūkaipōtanga (belonging and connection). We warmly welcome and support children, parents, and whānau, valuing their voices, views, and contributions to their children's learning.

We always extend a warm welcome to families and whānau at Kidsfirst Kindergartens MacFarlane Park. Whether it's having a cup of tea, playing, or spending time with their tamariki, we value the involvement of our families in our kindergarten community. We are fortunate to have regular visits from whānau and visitors who share their knowledge and skills, enriching our programme.

Community events and celebrations are an integral part of our kindergarten. We believe in knowing and caring for the people in our community, and in turn, they care for us and our kindergarten. You'll often see us out and about, exploring our community and helping children make sense of their place in it, wearing our hi-vis vests for safety.

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

Nau mai, tauti mai - come in any time! We would be delighted to show you around our kindergarten and make you feel welcome. Please feel free to visit us and see the wonderful environment we have created for our tamariki.

We occasionally 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. Don't miss out on this opportunity!