Kidsfirst Wales Street

Wales Street

Wales St Kindergarten opened on the 28th of May 1974.

Ice cream anyone? Tamariki use their imaginations at Kidsfirst Wales Street.

Much was changing for kindergarten in the 1970s. There would be a new emphasis in early childhood with the recognition of children having rights, evident by the 1979 UNESCO Year of the Child.

There was also a move towards more parental involvement and “freeplay” as opposed to the structured curriculum routines of the past. This was when Kidsfirst Wales Street came into being.

In some ways this was a golden era for kindergarten as it spread into the suburbs and truly found a niche within local neighbourhoods. Embedding itself as a central point of support and congregation for the community.

Kindergarten was often the focus of the community in the days before there were local shopping malls or large sports centres. Life was more community focused and kindergarten was at the heart of that.

It’s a testament to Kidsfirst that kindergarten has remained just as relevant today and such a key part of the communities we serve.

1030x579 Gallery WALES_0011_wales st 25th celebration 1999

Cutting the anniversary cake, celebrating 25 years of Wales St Kindergarten.

Tamariki line up in the big backyard to perform a waiata and some kapa haka.

Memories from our kindergarten album:

There was much excitement when the backyard was being transformed at Kidsfirst Wales Street in 2014.
Discovering the great big backyard at Kidsfirst Wales Street in 2014.
Rock and clay for an inside garden at Kidsfirst Wales Street in 2014.
There was much excitement when the backyard was being transformed at Kidsfirst Wales Street in 2014.
There was much excitement when the backyard was being transformed at Kidsfirst Wales Street in 2014.
There was much excitement when the backyard was being transformed at Kidsfirst Wales Street in 2014.
There was much excitement when the backyard was being transformed at Kidsfirst Wales Street in 2014.
There was much excitement when the backyard was being transformed at Kidsfirst Wales Street in 2014.
Kidsfirst Wales Street contributed a stunning heart made by the tamariki to the At Our Heart values programme.
Kidsfirst Wales Street contributed a stunning heart made by the tamariki to the At Our Heart values programme.
Kidsfirst Wales Street welcomes friends and whånau.
Making lunch with fresh produce from the garden at Kidsfirst Wales Street.
That’s quite a heavy landscaping team at Kidsfirst Wales Street.
Working in the garden is no excuse for not getting dressed up, at Kidsfirst Wales Street.
There’s nothing like getting stuck into the garden at Kidsfirst Wales Street
Learning in action at Kidsfirst Wales Street.
New technology made an appearance at Kidsfirst Wales Street .
The wonderful big backyard after it had been remodelled at Kidsfirst Wales Street 2014.
The pet rabbit in the bacfkyard at Kidsfirst Wales Street 2014.
Celebrating 100 years at Kidsfirst Wales Street.
Celebrating 100 years at Kidsfirst Wales Street.
Celebrating 100 years at Kidsfirst Wales Street.
Celebrating 100 years at Kidsfirst Wales Street.
Hone-grown strawberries at Kidsfirst Wales Street.
Picking strawberries from the garden.
In the garden at Wales Street
Boiulder River in the backyard at Kidsfirst Wales Street
Bicultural learning at kidsfirst Wales Street in 2018.
Bicultural learning at kidsfirst Wales Street in 2018.
Bicultural learning at kidsfirst Wales Street in 2018.
Fun and Laughter at Kidsfirst Wales Street in 2017.
Practising communication skills at Kidsfirst Wales Street in 2017
in 2017 there were visits to Kidsfirst Wales Street form lots of people with interesting things to share – like Trudi the football coach.
Mothers Day at Kidsfirst Wales Street in 2017
Mothers Day at Kidsfirst Wales Street in 2017
in 2017 there were visits to Kidsfirst Wales Street form lots of people with interesting things to share – like Jeff the hairdresser
in 2017 there were visits to Kidsfirst Wales Street form lots of people with interesting things to share – like Heidee the seamstress
Fathers Day 2017 at Kidsfirst Wales Street.
in 2017 there were visits to Kidsfirst Wales Street form lots of people with interesting things to share – like Darin the mechanic
in 2017 there were visits to Kidsfirst Wales Street form lots of people with interesting things to share – like Darin the mechanic
in 2017 there were visits to Kidsfirst Wales Street form lots of people with interesting things to share – like Chris the builder
in 2017 there were visits to Kidsfirst Wales Street form lots of people with interesting things to share – like on Bring a Friend Friday.
In 2017 there were visits to Kidsfirst Wales Street form lots of people with interesting things to share – like Barry the Beekeeper.
Waterfun at Kidsfirst Wales Street in 2017.
Waterfun at Kidsfirst Wales Street in 2017.
Waterfun at Kidsfirst Wales Street in 2017.
The Kidsfirst Wales Street community was greatly affected by the Port Hills fires in 2017 and created cards for the firefighters.
The Kidsfirst Wales Street community was greatly affected by the Port Hills fires in 2017 and created cards for the firefighters.
The Kidsfirst Wales Street community was greatly affected by the Port Hills fires in 2017 and created cards for the firefighters.
The Kidsfirst Wales Street community was greatly affected by the Port Hills fires in 2017 and created cards for the firefighters.
The Kidsfirst Wales Street community was greatly affected by the Port Hills fires in 2017 and created cards for the firefighters.
The Kidsfirst Wales Street community was greatly affected by the Port Hills fires in 2017 and created cards for the firefighters.
The Kidsfirst Wales Street community was greatly affected by the Port Hills fires in 2017 and created cards for the firefighters.