Kidsfirst Karoro | Kidsfirst

Karoro

It took 8 years of hard work, but Karoro Kindergarten officially opened on the 8th of February 1982.

Although it started with only 12 children, the roll climbed steadily to 36 children by the official opening and since then, the kindergarten has been a central part of the Karoro community.

Karoro kindergarten shortly after its opening in 1982 – for Karoro, it wasn’t until the site at 20 Loris Place had been inspected and purchased, that community support began to flood in.

Mr Laurie Hall (seen above with his wife, Helen) had been Chairman of the original establishment committee in 1974. Together, they had the honour of opening the new facility once it was completed in 1982. Tracey Hall, the couple’s daughter would later become a teacher at Kidsfirst Karoro and continue the family connection.

“My association with kindergarten goes back three generations, starting with my father on the establishment committee,” explains Tracey Hall. “Then I was a kindy kid, and my children have gone there too.”

“I’ve had so many great experiences as a kindergarten teacher. Each day, I gain a deeper insight into how complex and challenging children’s thinking is. Kindergarten has always been a place where people know they can come and get support and feel welcome. It’s somewhere safe to be in times of trouble, and children just know it’s a good place to be.”

This was never more true than with the tragedy of the Pike River mining disaster, when kindergartens once again found themselves at the hub of their neighbourhoods and a place where people came together.

Like many of our kindergartens, Karoro faced a tough road before it was even open. Kindergartens had to be funded for by the community before they could be established and committees often had a hard time rallying the community around kindergarten.

For Karoro, it wasn’t until the site at 20 Loris Place had been inspected and purchased, that community support began to flood in.

By opening day, Karoro had a special place in the community. New trees were planted to mark the kindergarten opening as well as some fun competitions for the whole crowd. Bun catching, a decorated bike parade and a three legged race all made for a joyous first day at the new kindergarten site.

Head Teacher, Miss Christine Cogger (above left) and her assistant Miss Rowena Newlove (above right) were the first to teach the children of Karoro Kindergarten.

Like many of our teachers today, it was their commitment to quality early childhood education and their passion for enriching young children’s lives that saw Karoro Kindergarten’s roll boom and kindy become a firm kiwi kid experience on the West Coast.

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Head Teacher, Miss Christine Cogger (above) and her assistant Miss Rowena Newlove were the first to teach the children of Karoro Kindergarten.

The kindergarten’s big backyard was transformed with help from their community in 2016.

Memories from our kindergarten album:

2014 Blue for Diabetes Day at Kidsfirst Karoro.
2014 Blue for Diabetes Day at Kidsfirst Karoro.
2014 Blue for Diabetes Day at Kidsfirst Karoro.
2014 Blue for Diabetes Day at Kidsfirst Karoro.
Kidsfirst was front and centre at the 2018 School Gala
In 2018, the kindergarten ran a popular Dad of the Year contest.
The judges, including the Mayor, at the 2018 Dad of the Year contest.
A new playhouse in 2015 was cause of excitement.
Images from the tree planting to mark the opening of the kindergarten.
At the Centenary Book Launch, Laurie and Helen Hall who had been instrumental in the establishment of the kindy were there with their daughter Tracey, who taught at Kidsfirst Karoro.
A trip to the beach is always exciting for the tamariki, like this one in 2016.
A trip to the beach is always exciting for the tamariki, like this one in 2016.
A trip to the beach is always exciting for the tamariki, like this one in 2016.
A trip to the beach is always exciting for the tamariki, like this one in 2016.
A trip to the beach is always exciting for the tamariki, like this one in 2016.
A trip to the beach is always exciting for the tamariki, like this one in 2016.
Karoro’s front garden before the makeover in 2016
In 2016, the garden transformation still left time for some face painting.
The BNZ Closed For Good Day in 2016 made a huge difference to the entrance to the kindergarten and it’s front garden.
Palnting natives was part of the plan in the 206 BNZ Closed For Good garden transformation.
A lineup of the small helpers with the garden transformation.
2016: Take notice please!
Helping the big people with lots of handy tasks in 2016
2016: Enthusiastic young workers kept busy helping.
Even in the middle of the 2016 makeover there was plenty to excite the tamariki.
In 2016 it was all hands at work in transforming the outdoor space.
After much hard work, this is what the front of the kindergarten looked like in 2016. Thanks to BNZ and all the helpers.
There was a real buzz when a beekeeper visited the kindy in 2015.
2015: So that’s where honey comes from….
Bees fascinated the tamariki at Kidsfirst Karoro in 2015
It was all go at the kindy duathlon in 2014
Fun at Kidsfirst Karoro in 2013