Bridge Street Kindergarten

Up to 30 hours free • Play-based learning • Transition to school • Enviroschools Bronze

Hours
About
Our Team
More Info

He taonga te mokopuna, kia whāngaia, kia tipu, kia rea

A child is a treasure, to be nurtured, to grow, to flourish

Where we are

199 Bridge Street,
Nelson 7010

03 548 1234 
Bridgestreetkindergarten@ntk.org.nz

Hours

Monday: 7.30am - 5.15pm
Tuesday: 7.30am - 5.15pm
Wednesday: 7.30am - 5.15pm
Thursday: 7.30am - 5.15pm
Friday: 7.30am - 5.15pm

 
Two young children playing with sand near a wooden structure, one child wearing a hat and the other wearing a blue bucket hat, with a blurred background of a playground and greenery.

Welcome to Bridge Street Kindergarten

At Bridge Street Kindergarten we are passionate about nurturing tamariki (children) through a bicultural curriculum that celebrates each child as unique, bringing their own kete of knowledge, culture, and experience.

Whānau are always welcome to visit and be part of our kindy life. Relationships – whanaungatanga – are at the heart of what we do, creating a strong sense of belonging. We value manaakitanga (kindness) and aroha (love), supporting tamariki to grow socially, emotionally, and through meaningful play.

As a play-based kindergarten, we offer open-ended resources and an emergent curriculum that empowers tamariki to be active creators of their own learning. We are proud to be a Bronze Enviroschool, encouraging tamariki to care for Papatūānuku (the earth) and to develop sustainable practices as kaitiaki (guardians).

Our Team

  • A woman with shoulder-length light brown hair, glasses, and a bright smile, wearing a turquoise patterned top, standing outdoors among green trees with sunlight filtering through the leaves.

    Amore Riki

    Head Teacher

  • Woman wearing sunglasses smiling outdoors with green leaves in the background.

    Rachel Woodyear-Smith

    Kaiako/Teacher

  • A woman with short hair smiling indoors, wearing a blue polka dot shirt and a dark jacket.

    Jan Taylor

    Kaiako/Teacher

  • A woman with wavy, shoulder-length brown hair smiling at the camera.

    Louise Atkins

    Kaiako/Teacher

  • A woman with short brown hair smiling outdoors in front of green leafy plants.

    Maria Gibney

    Kaiako/Teacher

  • Kaiako at Bridge Street Kindergarten.

    Kimberley Cunningham

    Kaiako/Teacher

  • Placeholder image with a light green background and a generic outline of a person in white.

    Melanie Jones

    Kaiako/Teacher

  • Teacher Aide at Bridge Street Kindergarten.

    Kim Hobbs

    Teacher Aide

  • Teacher Aide at Bridge Street Kindergarten.

    Gina Rea

    Teacher Aide

  • Placeholder image of a user icon with a light green background.

    Adrienne Packer

    Administrator

  • At Bridge Street Kindergarten, tamariki and whānau are at the centre of everything we do. Strong, trusting relationships (whanaungatanga) build belonging and connection, while a culture of kindness (manaakitanga) and aroha (love) supports tamariki to flourish.

    Through play, exploration, and care, we nurture the whole child and encourage them to lead their own learning journey.

  • Our kindergarten environment is designed to be welcoming, safe, and inspiring. With natural, open-ended resources and spaces that invite creativity, tamariki are encouraged to explore, take risks, and discover new ways of learning.

    As an Enviroschool, we also weave sustainable practices into daily life, supporting tamariki to become confident guardians of our environment and community.

  • Te ruma Aratuna - Under 2's

    Our Aratuna kaiako (teachers) provide for unhurried, meaningful interactions, and teachers will be very aware of your pēpē' (baby) non-verbal cues. Our kaiako work in partnership with whānau to ensure that they are in-tune with your pēpē individual rhythms and routines.

    Your pēpē will have a primary caregiver. A primary caregiver is a kaiako who is committed to building a close trusting relationship with your pēpē and whānau. Your pēpē primary caregiver is responsible for the day to day care of them, including care routines such as meal and sleep times.

    Te ruma Maitahi - Over 2's

    In te ruma Maitahi your tamaiti (child) will have a key kaiako who will document their learning journey in their portfolio, and will also take the lead during your tamaiti visits prior to starting, and the settling in period when they start.

    Kaiako will ensure that your tamaiti and your whānau have one or two 'go to' kaiako to build that trusting relationship with. This is to build up their mana, and learn about the essence of them/their mauri. Showing manaakitanga is an important part of our philosophy and plays a role ensuring that tamaiti are fully settled and happy. Once they are ready to explore, kaiako will support them to make connections with the rest of our kaiako.

  • Most sessions are free under the Ministry of Education’s 20 Hours ECE policy. Some fees may apply for additional hours or children under two. Family contributions are requested to cover extra activities.

    Learn more about fees and funding

  • Nau mai, haere mai – a big welcome to all tamariki and whānau.

    At Bridge Street Kindergarten, children can begin their learning journey with us from the age of six months. We’re open Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 5:15pm. Our kindergarten operates from mid-January through to late December, with a break over the Christmas period.

    Before your child officially starts, we encourage three settling visits. These help tamariki feel comfortable in their new environment and give you time to build a relationship with their key teacher — supporting a smooth and positive transition into kindergarten life.

    We look forward to meeting you and sharing our wonderful kindergarten with you

    Read the latest Education Review Office report for Bridge Street Kindergarten.

ENQUIRE TO ENROL
  • A wooden surface with scattered numbered tiles, a basket of pinecones, a small bouquet of flowers, and a butterfly perched on the flowers.
  • Multiple monarch butterflies perched on a plant in a garden, with a wooden fence in the background.
  • Children peeling purple and orange sweet potatoes on a yellow table.
  • Close-up of a bright yellow sunflower with a dark brown center, against a background of green leaves and a window with a view of a cloudy sky.
  • A small, fluffy, yellow chick standing on a black mesh surface inside a cage. Behind the chick, there is a metallic water dispenser, a white feeder, and a scattering of chick feed. In the background, there are colorful bags and green containers.
  • A green caterpillar with light green and black markings on a plant stem, and a Monarch butterfly with orange and black wings resting on a leaf in the background.
  • A woven mat displaying painted and unpainted seashells, rocks, and colorful markers, with a poster titled 'Kupe and Wekenui' in the background.