Wellsford Kindergarten

Kia ora and welcome to Wellsford Kindergarten

Wellsford Kindergarten children enjoy a world of freedom and exploration in our park-like environment with plenty of space to run up hills, develop sporting skills, practice bike riding and chase friends – a child’s dream! Our fully qualified and experienced teaching team are all locals who love working alongside families to make each child’s early years memorable.

Our kindergarten provides authentic real-life experiences in a beautiful natural environment. Lush green trees in the Summer provide shade, falling leaves in the Autumn provide hours of fun. Natural hills and flat, grassy spaces challenge growing bodies. Real gardens and soil grow our kai alongside our growing minds.

Our vast landscape provides children with ample choices. They have the freedom to choose whether they work with others in a group, or independently on individual projects or investigation.

Beyond the gates of the kindergarten is farmland, rolling hills of pasture where we hear cows bellow to each other, birds swooping through our trees, and the distant hum of traffic. Our local fire siren provides excitement as we watch through the fence windows, spying the fire truck speed by. Across the carpark, our local skate park, playground and library offer great ways for us to connect to our local community. Visits to the library are regular.

Children’s growing social and emotional competence (their feelings and behaviours) are supported by our skilled team who’ve all partaken in the Incredible Years teaching programme.

Our Philosophy

Whanaungatanga – Once your child enters Wellsford Kindergarten, you become family. This is a space where you are welcome, you’re important and your voice is encouraged. Stay and play, sit and weave with our harakeke, come on visits to the library, muck-in in our gardens, join our parent whānau group. You’re part of our team, united in our vision to make the best of your child’s early years and future.

Mauri – We’re passionate about growing kind contributors to our world. Young children who believe in themselves and know their worth. Young children who know they are valued and are important.

Kaitiakitanga – Nature is abundant in our environment, and is woven through our day. Worm farms, learning how to care for animals, learning how to grow our own kai, utilising harakeke for weaving.

Ako – We embrace the natural flow of learning, that children’s ideas and theories can teach us, the adults, and that the teaching-learning relationship is reciprocal. Tuakana-teina.

Manawa Reka – Children have the freedom to explore and create, harnessing their open minds and critical thinking. We encourage curiosity of the world around us and enable children to realise the many possibilities the world offers them.

Our Values – Our Culture

Kindness – In a world where you can be anything, be kind – kindness to ourselves, kindness to others. Kindness is seen, heard and felt here. Through acts, words and expressions, we model and foster kindness for all.

Helpfulness – Being helpful towards others gives us a feeling of pride, knowing we’ve done good. Knowing we’ve put a smile on someone’s face. Knowing we can be proud of our actions.

Upholding Mana – Children are confident to share ideas and have a positive image of themselves, they feel strong, capable and valued.

Hours/Fees

We’re open 8.30am to 3.30pm during school terms, closed during school holidays and public holidays. We are an affordable option for families, offering 3 days completely free under the 20 ECE hours scheme. We welcome you to come and visit our wonderful kindergarten, we’d love to show you all we have to offer.

WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING

Wellsford Kindergarten is an exceptional community of caring, informed and proactive educators, in a magical setting. We loved that te ao Māori and te reo was valued and present everywhere at centre. The maturity and warmth the kaiako bring to mahi, everyday made us feel really confident that it was providing our children with the foundations to grow into their best selves. They had sophisticated pedagogies and were responsive to our whānau needs. We never felt judged when we reached out for help and we always knew we could count on them. Our boys are big now but they still ask to go back to their kindy. They really get that trusting and caring relationships is the golden key to helping tamariki grow strong. We loved belonging there so much!

Geva Downey
WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING

Both our children felt so welcome, loved, supported and extended by the amazing teaching staff. It was well worth the extra travel for us to have our children be so well looked after and loved so fully. Would recommend Wellsford kindergarten to anyone (and in fact have already).

Harris whānau
WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING

If I could shout it from the roof tops, I would. In my opinion this is one of the finest Kindy facilities. From the moment the gate is opened in the morning. To the closing of the same in the afternoon and everything in between is a positive and happy experience for our Moko. The greeting in the morning by the teacher on duty is adapted to the little character they are meeting so happy smiles, big high fives, and even the shy and timid smile are all part of the morning routine. The facilities that are available for the children are varied and will entertain the most boisterous child to the more quiet ones. The calm and gentle approach adopted by the teachers enhances the happy and calm atmosphere allowing the parents or childminders to leave their loved ones knowing that they are in the safest of hands.

Mackenzie and Penelope’s Grandmother
WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING

Our family has been part of the Wellsford Kindergarten for the past 6 years with our youngest in her last year there. Donna has been such an amazing head teacher for that entire time and the other teaching staff just make the best team and all work so hard to provide a fun, safe and explorative learning environment. There is never a dull moment for the children and their interests are always extended through their learning. The whānau events such as discos, bikeathons, Matariki and the Santa parade are highlights throughout the year. I cannot give enough credit to the kindy, it has become a treasured part of our lives and family and some life long friendships have been made.

Smith whānau
WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING

My son started at Wellsford Kindy as a 4 year old who has not had spent much time in an ECE setting. Although drop offs aren't always easy, I know he is in safe, caring hands with the teachers at Wellsford Kindy.

What I have been really impressed with is how child focused the teachers are when planning activities. My son was interested in safari animals, together him and one of the teachers planned and created a safari play area. He was interested in baking, they baked a few days later. The teachers seem like they genuinely want to be there and have a genuine love for working with this age group. I am regularly sent thoughtful stories about what my son has been doing at Kindy and can tell the teachers know him well. He has felt safe enough to build trusting relationships with all the teachers there.

This really is such an inclusive, respectful, fun and child orientated Kindy!

Nuku whānau
WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING

We feel so blessed to have our son at Wellsford Kindergarten. He feels so seen and valued - we all do. The teachers have made such an effort to get to know our whānau. The play spaces are wonderful, there is something for all interests. The teachers are so willing to be led by the children. Thank you for all that you do!

C Stewart
WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING

Wellsford Kindergarten has made a long-lasting impression on our whānau that will never be forgotten. They didn't just provide a loving and caring environment, but took the time to care for our family during cancer treatment, providing meals and supporting us even when our children couldn't be there. During our time at Wellsford Kindergarten our boys were nurtured to be life-long learners, learning skills to help them with problem solving, conflict resolution and developing empathy. The teachers got to know our children, helping them to grow as individuals, providing specific environments to cater to their ever changing learning needs, providing new challenges when necessary and carefully allowing our children to develop at their own pace. After many wonderful years, it was sad to say goodbye and we used to visit regularly after we left to start school. We are forever grateful for the impact Wellsford Kindergarten and its marvellous teaching team made to our children's lives.

Anna
WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING

Wellsford Kindergarten is absolutely amazing! The teachers there always went above and beyond for my son. They were always welcoming and very supportive and I wouldn't have wanted my son to attend any other kindy. They have helped shape my son into an amazing little boy and I couldn't thank them enough. Thanks wellsford kindy for all your time, effort, love and care you all put into every tamariki you work with. I couldn't recommend this kindy more! Until we meet again

Marija
WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING

Two of our children attended Wellsford Kindergarten from December 2018 - December 2022. From the moment we walked in the gate, we felt "home"! Our middle child (now 8.5yrs) was just under 3 when we joined and was also attending the local Playcentre with his younger brother and I. A visit quickly showed me that Playcentre's values of manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, and holistic care were echoed by the Kindergarten, which reassured me that this would not be a giant leap. The kaiako were kind, empathetic, and nurturing - and allowed both of our kids to flourish in their own way. Donna helped us access specialised intervention support to help our whānau navigate/seek a diagnosis, with full wraparound care that carried through into primary school. We loved the creative invitations to play that were constructed based on individual (and collective) needs/interests and appreciated that children could lead their own learning beyond static expectations/set "projects" that can feel more orientated to an adult's perception of what learning "is".

Parent

FROM OUR ERO REPORT

Children have a sense of ownership and belonging in the kindergarten environment. They are well supported to develop the skills necessary to successfully initiate and maintain positive relationships with each other and with adults.

Wellsford Kindergarten 2017 ERO Report
FROM OUR ERO REPORT

Children confidently engage in conversations with teachers and each other. Their language development is promoted by teachers who provide good opportunities for children to chat, and to ask and respond to questions that extend their thinking.

Wellsford Kindergarten 2017 ERO Report