Welcome to our Whānau

There are so many places parents and whānau can find stories and ideas to support their journey, but getting practical, local, trustworthy information is not always easy.

Our Whānau Connect pages are designed to provide you with a resource to complement your Kidsfirst experience. Here, you’ll find a mix of home grown wisdom, academic and developmental ideas that resonate with the kindergarten philosophy and draw on the decades of experience of our teaching teams, as well as experts in a variety of fields.

Ngā mihi from all the team at Kidsfirst

Ngā tamariki, te ako, te katakata
The children, the learning, the laughter

Whānau Connect

• The Power of Parent Play 3 Mar 2022The Power of Parent Play 3 Mar 2022From building blocks to building lifelong learners, it’s no secret that play is an integral part of the kindergarten philosophy - but for young tamariki, this is also an opportunity to interact with others, test out ideas, express creativity, and build skills to take out into the world.
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• The Value of Community 3 Mar 2022The Value of Community 3 Mar 2022The idea of kindergarten and community have always gone hand-in-hand, and Kidsfirst has a long history of connection between our own whānau, local areas, schools, and services to prove it.Read More
• Ways to bring te reo Māori to everyday life 3 Mar 2022Ways to bring te reo Māori to everyday life 3 Mar 2022Keen to bring more te reo Māori into your life? It could be as easy as sticking some post-it notes on your fridge or bathroom mirror.Read More
• Embracing the changing seasons 3 Mar 2022Embracing the changing seasons 3 Mar 2022 It’s tough for young tamariki to get cooped up inside – they get so much out of the great outdoors, regardless of the weather. Read More
• Should children be able to read or write before school? 3 Mar 2022Should children be able to read or write before school? 3 Mar 2022We sometimes get asked why we don’t focus on teaching tamariki how to read and write at kindergarten. The answer is – we are preparing them for much more than their first day at school.Read More
• Preparing creative thinkers for life 3 Mar 2022Preparing creative thinkers for life 3 Mar 2022Want to encourage a sense of creativity in your child? Now is definitely the time to do it. As adults, it can be hard to think outside the box or colour beyond the lines – but for young children, it’s practically second nature. Read More
• The benefits of learning te reo Māori 2 Sep 2021The benefits of learning te reo Māori 2 Sep 2021So many more Kiwis are learning Te Reo Māori. There are some benefits that come with giving it ago, no matter your age.Read More
• Celebrating all cultures 2 Sep 2021Celebrating all cultures 2 Sep 2021You can't teach joy, wonderment or interest - but it can be fostered by opening the world to tamariki, and getting them to ask the questions.Read More
• Temper Tantrum Talk 2 Sep 2021Temper Tantrum Talk 2 Sep 2021A small, twisted, red face looks up disgusted and mad after being denied chocolate and chips for dinner. Before you get the earplugs out, try some of these tips. Read More
• Navigating Hard Times the Kidsfirst Way 2 Sep 2021Navigating Hard Times the Kidsfirst Way 2 Sep 2021When the world is all a bit much, and the pressure of life weighs heavy on you – don't panic. Times may be tough, but together, people are tougher. Read More
• Calming First Day Nerves 2 Sep 2021Calming First Day Nerves 2 Sep 2021Equipping tamariki with the power to change that pit of worry in their stomach, to one of excitement and anticipation is easier than you may think...Read More
• Helping children through hard times 26 Feb 2019Helping children through hard times 26 Feb 2019Every community and all whānau go through hard times, and sometimes it can feel overwhelming. Whether it's a global pandemic, or something challenging going on at home, our Kidsfirst community has been through a lot - and learned a lot about helping tamarki through. Read More
• The kindy difference 26 Feb 2019The kindy difference 26 Feb 2019Kindergarten is different in many ways from other forms of early childhood education. The learning through play, a focus on connection with the outdoors, biculturalism, strong values and the benefit of mixed aged groups are just some of the things that make up the ‘kindy difference.’Read More
• Bringing the learning home 26 Feb 2019Bringing the learning home 26 Feb 2019You are your child’s first teacher, and the learning that happens at home is so important. It doesn’t stop when your child starts kindergarten sounds better and some of the most fundamental learning happens in day-to-day life.Read More
• Ready for longer days 26 Feb 2019Ready for longer days 26 Feb 2019More hours at kindergarten can offer increased opportunities for learning and social development. How do you know if your child is ready to take on a longer day at kindergarten? Some of our fantastic kaiako from across the network have weighed in on some of the key indicators that your child may be ready.Read More
• Growing good people 26 Feb 2019Growing good people 26 Feb 2019Many whānau today are just as focused on what kind of person their child will become as much as the formal learning they might receive. It’s a big concern in workplaces now too. We asked kaiako how they help tamariki develop the behaviours and dispositions they will need for the future.Read More
• Can you rock te reo Māori like a 3 year old? 26 Feb 2019Can you rock te reo Māori like a 3 year old? 26 Feb 2019It happens to the best of us - that moment we realise our children are teaching us, instead of the other way around. These days, it’s as likely as not to be Te Reo Māori.Read More
• Getting kids out of the house and into the garden 26 Feb 2019Getting kids out of the house and into the garden 26 Feb 2019It’s never been more important that our children grow up feeling a sense of connection to, and respect for, the natural world around them,Read More
• Helping children through change 26 Feb 2019Helping children through change 26 Feb 2019How you support your child can turn challenging times into valuable life lessons and help build resilience for the rest of their lives. Read More
• Learning through play at home 26 Feb 2019Learning through play at home 26 Feb 2019As your child’s first teachers, you and your whānau have a key role to play in helping them to develop through play-based learning at home.Read More