The Association guidelines required that the local committee raise enough funds to build, equip and maintain the kindergarten with the assistance of parent donations and government grants.

The Hornby Establishment Committee took 10 years to fundraise enough money for the kindergarten through the old-fashioned way; baking toffee apples, sewing aprons and selling bric-a-brac. In 2006, after 45 years, they returned together to visit the centre they founded through all that hard work.

Founding member Joan Whale said…

“The committee still meets three times a year and after 45 years together we are all firm friends for life. We are proud of the fact that we raised the money to start the kindergarten and what has been achieved for the children of Hornby.” 

In 2002, Kidsfirst Hornby gained a Healthy Heart Award, leading the way for many other kindergartens, including Northcote who were the first early childhood centre in New Zealand to achieve Pa Harakeke, the top award from the Heart Foundation, in 2010.