Welcome to Rutherford Street Kindergarten
We strive to be a centre that creates a respectful, nurturing environment where kaiako and whānau work collaboratively to ensure each child is empowered to reach their full potential. We celebrate the diverse nature of our community through both language and culture, valuing what they bring to the centre.
Aligning with the vision of Te Whāriki, (our early childhood curriculum) “To support children to become competent and confident learners and communicators, healthy in mind, body and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging and in the knowledge that they make a valued contribution to society” (Ministry of Education, 2017).
About us
Operating since the late 1950s, Rutherford Street Kindergarten provides high-quality early childhood education and care for children living in Nelson city and surrounding suburbs.
We are a small, unique and welcoming not-for-profit centre with a license of 32 children ages 2-6 years of age. This means our centre is community-based and governed by a dedicated board, made up of parents and community members.
At RutherfrdRutherford Street Kindergarten our Centre Manager, qualified Kaiako and support staff are committed tro delivering a fun, supportive and creative environment with children at the heart of everything we do.
Why Rutherford Street Kindergarten
- Play based philosophy and daily routines
- Enthusiastic, committed teaching team
- Great location and facilities
- Flexible hours and low hourly rate
Our sessions
We are open from 8 am – 5 pm Monday – Friday.Children can attend anytime during these hours. While our preferred minimum time is six hours for Government funding purposes we happily offer shorter sessions by arrangement. Children are encouraged to attend a minimum of two full days per week so they have lots of opportunities to settle well. Children bring their own lunchboxes and while we eat a rolling morning and afternoon tea, we all sit together for lunch. We like children to bring a few spare changes of clothing for their wet and messy play as this is something we have on offer every day, year-round. There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing choices.
We are open all year except for two weeks over Christmas/New Year, and we close for weekends and public holidays.
Enrolment
We are always happy to welcome new children and their whānau to Rutherford Street Kindergarten.
If you are interested in enrolling your child or simply would like to have a look around please get in touch.
Fees
We can offer 30 free hours of ECE for children aged three years and over (conditions apply.)
Our current hourly rate is $6.95.
The Government has 20 hours of free ECE available for 3 – 5-year-olds (up to 6 hours per day) – there is also an optional charge for those families that wish to pay it of 50cents for every hour of government funded ECE hours they receive. WINZ subsidies are available depending on family income.