Kidsfirst West Rolleston

West Rolleston

Kidsfirst West Rolleston opened on Monday 16th October 2017.
The new, purpose-built kindergarten bolstered early childhood education for whānau in the Rolleston area.

West Rolleston Kindergarten on its opening day.

The new Kidsfirst kindy in Canterbury had active involvement from a number of organisations as well as those within Kidsfirst throughout its development – all of which helped inform the design, construction and landscaping choices.

It resulted in a fantastic kindergarten for tamariki in the Rolleston area, complete with a custom-built playground, a carved whare, and Pacific Island fale, with many references to its surrounding area.

The entrance to the kindergarten is accompanied by the sculpture Hei Matua by Mark Larsen – a woven wire fish hook which represents the history of gathering food in the local Rolleston area.

Opus Architects, who designed the site, took into account a number of factors, using colours and materials that reflect the local area – native shrubs and bushes which have been a part of the natural landscape in Rolleston for centuries. A particularly special kapuka tree was planted by Kidsfirst’s Māori Cultural Advisor at the time, Denise Sheat, and represents the journey the kindergarten has been on, and will continue to grow with the kindergarten.

Located close to the West Rolleston school, Kidsfirst West Rolleston for years to come will be the starting point for the journey of tamariki into formal education, connecting them to their local community.

Chief Executive Officer, Sherryll Wilson, and Māori Cultural Advisor Diane Sheat plant a kapuka tree at the entrance way of the kindergarten, upon its opening.

The te reo Māori name Kōhuri kapuka was gifted by Te Taumutu Rūnanga to reflect the surrounding area and the philosophy for the kindergarten.

Memories from our kindergarten album:

Proudly announcing that a new kindergarten was coming to West Rolleston
Early plans for what a new kindergarten would look like.
Plans for the new West Rolleston kindergarten caused a lot of excitement as the first new kindy in decade.
Early architectural drawings for the new kindergarten.
The proposed view out from the deck in the kindergarten’s development drawings
Denise Sheat and Jenny Pitama survey the framework for the new build.
The structure in place for what would become a great kindy.
A rather barren backyard before the plantings took shape.
The completed kindergarten just prior to opening.
The kindergarten nearing completion before its opening.
Kidsfirst Kindergartens Board Chair Viv Ruth, Sherryll Wilson, and Denise Sheat at the blessing.
Kidsfirst Kindergarten’s Jenny Pitama, Nikki Chapman and Raewyn Penman at the official blessing.
Kidsfirst Kindergartens West Rolleston’s first Head Teacher Victoria Rodger
Cutting the ribbon to open the new kindergarten.
The lowrise kindergarten profile fits in perfectly with the neighbourhood.
Kidsfirst Kindergartens Chief Executive Sherryll Wilson at the Kindergarten blessing.
Kidsfirst Kindergartens West Rolleston’s first party celebration
The mobile library visits the kindergarten in 2018
There’s always plenty to do at Kidsfirst West Rolleston
A project growing corn was a huge success at the kindy in 2018.