Taradale East Kindergarten (formerly Riversdale Kindergarten)

Welcome To Taradale East Kindergarten (formerly Riversdale Kindergarten)

‘Our Kindergarten has been providing high quality teaching and education for over 40 years in the suburb of Taradale, Napier. We are easily found in a quiet cul-de-sac, just a hop, skip and jump away from Taradale High School and Taradale Intermediate. We are conveniently located near EIT in Gloucester Street, and primary schools aplenty such as Bledisloe, Arthur Miller, Taradale, Meeanee, Reigner, and Greenmeadows Schools.

We pride ourselves in having 100% qualified teachers representing some of the most up-to-date teaching practices. We have a wonderfully designed purpose built facility which boasts park-like play areas where your child can run, jump and explore to their heart's content.

The teachers of Taradale East Kindergarten have created strong relationships with neighbouring primary schools which include regular visits. All of our children have a good understanding of how they fit within their wider community and where they will be heading. School readiness is not only about numbers and letters. For your child, it is about feeling confident about his/her future and being a lifelong learner.

Our kindergarten community is made up of families from around the world. We celebrate New Zealand’s rich bi-cultural tradition by weaving te reo and tikanga Maori into learning and teaching; joining all of the strands of our many cultures into a place that is safe, nurturing and fun for all.

We are proud to have achieved Bronze Reflection as an Enviroschool. Our children are actively engaged with sustainable practices in our learning environment including gardening, composting, and worm farming. We also have 3 resident chickens who need daily feeding and watering and in return provide us with eggs. We cook many different foods using our garden produce and fresh eggs, from apple muffins to basil pesto pasta. We also sell our famous worm tea as a fundraiser.’

A playgroup operates every Wednesday morning from 9:00 – 11:00am. Children who have not yet started kindergarten can come along with their parent/caregiver and join in all the fun of our kindergarten session, at no cost. This enables children and their families to have a smooth transition into kindergarten.

Our kindergarten is an extended year kindergarten. This means we're open for up to 50 weeks per annum, with our close down period being over Christmas and New Year.

Left to Right:  Mary Duncan, Anastasia Oliver KSW, Debby Jarvis-Penn, Lyndal Baker HT, Kelly Olsen


 

Testimonial:

We are so thankful for all you have provided for L and taught him. I had looked at many ECE providers before choosing Riversdale – they all seem so great but we choose Riversdale because of the atmosphere and the people – you guys! What a team.

Riversdale has been everything we’ve wanted it to be – I feel as though L has discovered and identified his marae.

You have been his safe place, his environment to learn and grow, to question, to explore, make mistakes, make discoveries and many special relationships.

Riversdale is a really special community and we’ve learnt heaps from you as parents too.

Thanks for supporting L to discover himself more and encouraging him to be his awesome self.

‘A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.’

L Curtis (parent,2018)

I want to thank you for the work you do with the children to prepare them for starting school. My daughter was excited about starting school but also a little nervous. Her transition to school was smooth largely because kindy had paved the way by practicing similar routines and encouraging independence. She was already in the habit of putting away her own bag, lunch box and drink bottle as well as signing her name when she arrived. When she had to do all these things and put her name up when she arrived at school, it was easy.

Having two visits to her classroom before starting was also helpful so she knew what to expect and was familiar with her teacher and the environment.

My daughters are very fond of their time at kindy and even asked to go back once school had started. They often happily reminisce about their kindergarten days: friends, games, activities, teachers and the chickens. Any opportunity to revisit Riversdale such as Matariki and they are keen to go. Thank you for all your wonderful care and support of my family and giving my children a safe, happy, open and fun place to play, develop and express themselves. We are very grateful.

N Fenwick (parent 2018).

"My family have been involved with Riversdale Kindy since February 2013.  It's been lovely to see the growth and changes that have happened in the last few years.  With lovely caring teachers I have seen my kids develop and learn so much.  The outdoor exploring and learning opportunities along side the inside play and crafts, it truely captures all kids interests.  Fantastic community kindy, lovely families and many activities to keep my little ones happy and entertained.  I'm looking forward to see my son develop more skills over the next few years.  I highly recommend Riversdale kindy"  Parent L Somervell