Kindergartens

We have 24 kindergartens throughout Southland placed at the heart of rural and urban communities.

We work hard to ensure all children at every kindergarten experience the best teaching and learning environments.

Our kindergarten locations are listed below.

Spaces available now at Bluff, Clarendon, Elston Lea, Grasmere, Kew, Northern Southland, Ranui, Rockdale

Bluff Kindergarten

Open: 8.15am - 3.45pm

Session times: Monday to Friday 9.00am – 2.00pm

Address: 144 Foyle Street, Bluff 9814

Phone: (03) 212 8674

Email: bluffk@ska.co.nz

Teachers: Sez Bragg, Diane Slaughter (Teacher Aide)

Number of children: 20

Bluff Kindergarten is located at the heart of our port town, in close proximity to both local schools. Our catchment area also includes children from the rural surrounds of Bluff.

We pride ourselves in the maori concept of Whanaungatangata (relationships), creating a warm, comfortable environment and mauri for everyone who comes to our kindergarten.

We strive to instil a sense of mana and pride in our tamariki, supporting them to create a sense of wellbeing and identify within the community and whanau, as well as a sense of belonging to their kindergarten.

Whanau and community are central to our philosophy and the programme that we offer.

We believe learning should be an adventure and we strive to provide our tamariki with quality resources and an ever-changing stimulating environment to learn in. We also incorporate current technology to guide and support our practice.

Clarendon Kindergarten

Open: Monday - Friday 8.15am - 4.45pm

Session times: Monday to Friday 8.30am – 2.45pm

Address: 30 Waiau Place, Invercargill 9812

Phone: (03) 216 9664

Email: clarendonk@ska.co.nz

Teachers: Rachel Adam, Jess King, Laura Newland

Number of children: 20

Clarendon Kindergarten is situated south of Southland Hospital bordering on the old Clarendon School site.

We pride ourselves on offering a warm, welcoming environment where cultural diversity is celebrated. Whanau are encouraged to come along and join in our sessions at any time.

We have a large, exciting outdoor play area for tamariki to play in and explore.

We have no waiting list and have spaces available now.

Our kindergarten operates a full year model and only closes for an extended break over the Christmas/New Year period.

To find out more and arrange a time to meet our friendly team, please contact us.

Drummond Rural Kindergarten

Open: Monday to Friday 8.15am – 4.45pm

Session times: Monday to Friday 8.45am – 2.45pm

Address: Domain Road, Drummond RD3, Otautau 9683

Phone: (03) 236 2828

Email: drummondk@ska.co.nz

Teachers: Lauryn Polmear, Carrie Thomson, Riley McDermott, Rebecca Asher

Number of children: 30

At Drummond Rural Kindergarten we embrace our rural location and embrace our natural environment in all areas of our programme.

Our teaching team are committed to providing a welcoming, fun, relaxed and nurturing environment rich in positive interactions.

We encourage children to have fun and to be socially competent, independent and capable decision makers confident in their abilities to communicate and interact with others. Children are empowered to have a positive attitude towards learning; they are challenged to think creatively, ask questions and make decisions that will promote learning and provoke enquiry.

Our art room is a dedicated creative space where children can be creative, hands-on learners. In the art room children have the opportunity to express themselves, take risks, problem solve and to create and revisit their creations with the support and encouragement of teachers, following the Reggio Emilia approach.

We value the input of our community and offer many opportunities for families and whanau to contribute to their child’s learning.

Our kindergarten operates a full year model and only closes for an extended break over the Christmas/New Year period.

To find out more and arrange a time to meet our friendly team, please contact us.

Elsie Street Kindergarten

Open: Monday to Friday 8.15am – 4.15pm

Session times: Monday to Friday 8.45am – 2.45pm

Address: 6 Elsie Street, Gore 9710

Phone: (03) 208 6575

Email: elsiestreet@ska.co.nz

Teachers: Cara Sharp, Nicki Munday, Marcia Brown, Cheri Parker

Number of children: 30

Elsie Street Kindergarten is a fun place to be. We provide an unhurried, active learning environment which respects people, places and things. We value the relationship between kindergarten and home to ensure the best learning outcomes for each child. Our programme provides learning opportunities that lay the foundations for tamariki to become competent and confident life-long learners.

We have an established nature discovery programme called ‘Nui Ferns’ that is well supported by our community, parents and whanau and our tamariki absolutely love it. Each Tuesday our ten oldest tamariki make their way out to Dolamore Park for a morning filled with fun, laughter, challenges and exploration in nature. All our tamariki are given the opportunity to be a part of this amazing learning experience.

We enjoy being involved in our community including, visits to our local rest home, schools and attending community events.

We would love to meet you, we have an open-door policy and invite you to view our programme and environment in action at a time that suits you.

Elston Lea Kindergarten

Open: Monday to Friday 8.15am – 4.15pm

Session times: Monday to Friday 8.30am – 2.30pm

Address: 40 Iona Court, Invercargill 9812

Phone: (03) 216 8801

Email: elstonleak@ska.co.nz

Teachers: Heidi Boniface, Amanda Bardel, Hannah Dowling

Number of children: 30 in the morning, 20 in the afternoon

At Elston Lea Kindergarten we have a strong focus on Hauora, including spiritual, physical, mental & family wellbeing. Tamariki grow fruit, vegetables & herbs in our veggie garden & tunnel house.

We have a large park-like playground which encourages children’s imaginations, physical fitness & social skills. Being surrounded by plants and native birds helps our children learn about taiao (nature) and how to be kaitiaki or guardians of our natural environment.

Our Taiao Tūhura / Discovering Nature programme sees our 10 oldest children go out each week to explore an area of native bush and learn more about caring for our environment.

We value whanaungatanga and manaakitanga, caring for others and the community. Our kindergarten is a calm, relaxed place where children can learn & grow at their own pace.

We have diverse families/whānau and are passionate about making everyone feel part of our place.

Our kindergarten operates a full year model and only closes for an extended break over the Christmas/New Year period.

Parents and whānau are most welcome to visit at any time and see what happens at our kindergarten.

To find out more please contact us, or call in.