
Nau mai, Haere Mai –
Welcome to St James Kidsway
Franklin’s Christian Preschool
St James Kidsway
Belonging
Friendly
Empowering
Innovative
OUR MAIN VALUES
Our Philosophy
St James Kidsway is committed to providing high-quality care and education for children from two years of age until they reach school age. We believe in the concept of Tuakana-Teina, where children learn from both older and younger peers, fostering a collaborative and supportive learning environment.
At the heart of our practice is our Christian faith, which underpins our teaching approach and helps achieve positive outcomes for our children. We aim to nurture competent, confident learners who will grow into individuals capable of making valuable contributions to society. The Christian nature of St James Kidsway promotes an open, caring, and respectful atmosphere in all relationships.
We acknowledge and respect the expectations and aspirations of parents and whānau for their children. We are committed to working closely with families to support their child’s development. We encourage strong partnerships with whānau and invite them to be actively involved in both their children’s learning journeys and the wider centre community.
Our teachers embrace teachable moments, ensuring that learning is engaging, fun, and exciting. Our curriculum is child-centered, extending beyond the classroom to incorporate the interests and events of the family, community, and the wider world. We believe in the value of shared kai times, where children can gather with friends and kaiako (teachers) to eat, learn, and share stories.
The teachers at St James Kidsway are carefully selected for their unique qualities and ability to nurture and care for children. Each teacher models love, trust, empathy, peacefulness, and respect, creating an environment where children can thrive and grow.

St James Kidsway is a Christian Preschool with a community outlook. We offer a safe environment tucked away in peaceful surroundings. Our modern facility has an extensive outdoor space which is loved by our children, teachers and families alike. Come and see for yourself what’s on offer here at St James Kidsway.
St James Kidsway is part of the Government’s 20 hours programme. Our Preschool provides 20 hours per week of early childhood education (ECE) for three to five-year-old children. From the age of three, your child is entitled to government subsidised fees at our Preschool for 20 hours up to six hours per day and up to 20 hours per week. If you need your child to be in childcare for more than 20 hours per week you will be charged fees for these extra hours. We encourage all our families to apply for a WINZ Childcare subsidy and IRD FamilyBoost childcare payment to help eligible households pay for the cost of early childhood education (ECE). You may be able to claim up to 25% of your weekly childcare fees, or a maximum of $975 every 3-months.


Term dates 2025:
We close for the school holidays
START | END |
28 January 2025 | 11 April 2025 |
28 April 2025 | 27 June 2025 |
14 July 2025 | 19 September 2025 |
06 October 2025 | 13 December 2025 |

Who are we?

Our Vision

Our Mission

Our Constitution

Education Review
MEET OUR TEACHERS
Our Team
With a passion for helping children learn, we have a dedicated team…

Sharon Harris
Centre Manager

Anita Wilson
Registered Teacher

Shanna Stobart
Registered Teacher

Simonē Matthews
Unqualified Teacher

Catherine Farrell
Registered Teacher
What will my child learn
Your child will learn how to:
Form friendships
Be courageous and try new things
Begin to understand and make sense of the world around them.
Play and explore
Take turns, negotiate, and share
Build a relationship with God
WHAT PARENTS SAY
Testimonials About St James Kidsway
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart. My family have been truly blessed to have you been part of such a wonderful environment for our boys to be cared for in. They have all had so much fun. Thank you also for the lovely chats with me – they certainly kept me sane when the kids were little and sometimes you guys were my only adult contact! We will miss you all terribly.”
We are really touched by that kindness – your preschool has always gone above and beyond – any other mum I have talked to in the area has always said great things about St James preschool. You have a great, and well deserved, reputation.
The Disco was a great family event. What a fantastic social occasion for all. I loved the way everyone there was friendly and mingled. The children past and present, had a very magical time. What a celebration.
Contact us
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