Kidsfirst Kindergartens Bush Street

Kidsfirst Kindergartens Bush Street is administered by Kidsfirst Kindergartens (Canterbury Westland Kindergarten Association).

Innovation

Central character story permeates the morning programme at Bush Street and the teaching strategies used to support children’s learning.  A central character, such as an historical figure of significance, ‘joins’ the kindergarten community for a term, and their evolving collective story becomes part of the kindergarten’s shared history.  Dramatising a new episode is a feature of mat time, but lots more about the central character is integrated into the curriculum; for example, documentation of the central character story is part of everyday practice, alongside personal learning stories.

Centres of Innovation (COI) research

Major research question:

Where does central character story come from, what directs it and how does it evolve?
What do children, families and teachers learn through central character story?
What has this kindergarten community learnt through investigating the use of central character story?

COI tenure

Calendar years 2006/2007/2008 (Round three).

COI research associate

Elaine Mayo, University of Canterbury (Email: elaine.mayo@canterbury.ac.nz)

COI Final Report

The final report, when available, will be posted on Education Counts.

Service location

27 Bush Street, Rangiora, Canterbury, New Zealand.

Visitors

Kidsfirst Kindergartens Bush Street completed its Centre of Innovation contract on 31 December 2008 and is no longer resourced to accommodate visitors.

Contact details

Contact persons: Kay Henson or Helen Smith
Postal address: 27 Bush Street, Rangiora, Canterbury, New Zealand
Telephone: 03 313 5010
Email: bush@kidsfirst.org.nz