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

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.

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.

Glengarry Kindergarten

Open: 8.15am - 4.15pm

Session times: 8.30am – 2.30pm Monday to Friday

Address: 116 Derwent Crescent, Invercargill 9810

Phone: (03) 217 4461

Email: glengarryk@ska.co.nz

Teachers: Carly Ashford, Jim O'Hara, Connie Crosbie, Dale Potter

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

Whanaungatanga and Manaakitanga are an integral part of Glengarry Kindergarten. Our vision is of Mahi Tahi where together we learn, we move forward collaboratively and can become more powerful together.

Glengarry Kindergarten is a silver award Enviroschool. We place a sustainable lens over our learning and teaching and have an orchard, vegetable gardens, tunnel house, hens and leaf-cutter bees.

We are involved in the Nature Discovery programme at Myross Bush where tamariki enjoy an unhurried time learning in nature.

We also plan regular visits for small groups of tamariki within the community and aim to be an active part of our neighbourhood.

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

Grasmere Kindergarten

Open: Monday to Friday 8.15am – 4.15pm

Session times: Monday to Friday 8.30am – 2.45pm

Address: 90 Heywood Street, Invercargill 9810

Phone: (03) 215 9292

Email: grasmerek@ska.co.nz

Teachers: Kerrie Peterson, Tania Rea, Tracey Harris

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

The kaiako/teachers see the learning of the tamariki/children as a collective effort between the kindergarten, the whānau and the community. We understand it takes a village to “raise” a child and truly value all the input our ngā whanau/families put into the kindergarten and their tamaiti/child’s learning.

Our outdoor environment is large, spacious, and natural enabling opportunities of endless learning. A relaxed but fun and engaging place where tamariki are encouraged to take risks and challenge themselves building their resilience, co-construction and problem-solving learning. Our indoor environment is warm and inviting with plenty of space for tamariki to learn, imagine, wonder, and create.

We have up to 30 tamariki in a large space with 3 fully qualified kaiako providing quality education.

Our learning environment is fun, engaging and fosters respectful relationships through a sense of aroha. A place where culture and language are valued, and self-identity is enhanced for all. A diverse range of cultures within our kindergarten enriches the learning for everyone. We embrace diversity and the uniqueness that comes with it. We want our tamariki to leave kindergarten with a very strong positive view of themselves as learners and a person. Someone who shows kindness and compassion to others and has a good understanding of their own and others social and emotional well-being.

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

We invite you to pop in at any time so you get a true sense of who we are and what we can offer or if you prefer you can also ring or email to ask any questions you may have.

Kew Kindergarten

Open: Monday to Friday 8.15am – 4.15pm

Session times: Monday to Friday 8.30am – 2.45pm

Address: 51 Selwyn Street, Invercargill 9812

Phone: (03) 218 4243

Email: kewk@ska.co.nz

Teachers: Alana Beckett, Mel McKerchar

Number of children: 20

Kawa is the routine, rituals & protocols that makes Kew Kindergarten Kew. It is our Bucket Filling - kind things we say, kind things we do. It is Mana reo/communication – expressing ourselves using all our senses as well as the arts & active movement. It is enviro-school kaupapa - looking after ourselves, each other & our kindergarten.

Kew Kawa is about learning & having fun together. It is laughing, being helpful if someone is hurt & keeping our kindy ataahua. It is about being kind & welcoming, ensuring that everyone has a great time at Kew & can be the best they can be. Kew Kawa is about social & emotional competencies, we want everyone to see, hear & feel kindness with the highest learning potential. That’s the Kew Kawa.

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.