Education & Training

Funky Duck Learning is all about finding a way to enjoy learning. Each student has different needs and our mission is to find what sparks the light.

The teacher is a qualified registered primary school teacher with skills in all curriculum learning from year 1 through to year 8, year 9 for literacy as well as SLD teaching experience. I have worked extensively with students who have switched off from learning by working with them using their interests and activities that are fun and achievable.

I am registered with Ngai Tahu for providing sponsored learning for Ngai Tahu tamariki. Engaging students into enjoying their learning is my passion and I’m forever finding activities that I can use to keep the motivation alive.

Previously Kidsfirst Charles St, the renamed Kidsfirst Kaiapoi North kindergarten is now based close to the domain and park to create a perfect kindergarten setting.

Your child can come to our kindergarten for up to 6 hours a day, Monday to Friday, during our 4 kindergarten terms.
These terms echo the terms your child will have when they start school.

Sailing, we really want to help people get started in sailing, Stand Up Paddle and kayaking. We are creative, fresh, safe, active, fun around water.

Kaiapoi river, Kaiapoi town centre

We have two venues, Kaiapoi town centre on the river and at Lake Pegasus in Pegasus Town.

Explore the river or lake with friends, family or a group. There’s plenty of opportunity with our range of equipment for play and fitness.

Making the most of the Kaiapoi river

SUP: Stand up paddle. Just like walking on water. We can help you get started.

Kayak: Experience the river from a whole new perspective, paddling a single or double kayak.

When

We do not have set hours. We will arrange for the equipment you need.

After school and weekends and school holidays - Contact us for details

Phone, email or text to check conditions and to make a booking.

Hire Rates

We can provide equipment from $10.00 per person.
Minimum charges do apply.

Portobelo Preschool & Nursery Kaiapoi is located in a quiet residential street in Kaiapoi, well away from the industrial area and motorway. Our adjacent nursery is able to be accessed either by walking through our walkway, or from a separate street address.

The preschool was once a private house, on a large section, which has been adapted to meet the needs of our preschool. Indoors we have a number of cosy inviting areas thoughtfully set up by teachers each day, that encourage children to engage in sustained creative play. We also have a separate café area where the children eat together and take part in larger group activities. We have a wide range of ever-changing resources that invite cooperation and joint work on projects of various natures and sizes. Children learn about respect, responsibility and community, while developing friendship skills, creativity, problem solving, along with literacy and numeracy. For our older children, we have a specially designed ‘Ready for School’ programme, which ensures each child is well set up for success when they enter formal schooling.

The outdoor area is a large natural space, with fruit trees, decking, edible gardens, swings and a slide, a playhouse, and plenty of space for exploration and activities. Every day the children use this space for swinging, digging, running, climbing, playing ball games, riding their bikes and tending our gardens. They learn about challenge and risk, problem-solving, working with others, perseverance, and responsibility for the environment, while making discoveries in this rich environment.

We love getting out and about in our local community, and there are local parks, a primary school, the Community Garden, a rest home, shops and a library for us to walk to regularly.

Please phone to arrange a visit to see how special Portobelo Kaiapoi Preschool is, and what we have to offer you and your child. We will be happy to show you around and discuss your child’s particular interests and strengths, and your wishes and hopes for their learning and care in our centre.

Care and education for children 0-5 years

Preschool/nursery with separate street frontages. Open 7.00am – 6.30 pm. Excellent ERO reports for both centres. Our Portobelo centres offer – Great ratios. Large natural outdoor environments with established trees, grass, gardens, bike tracks, and plenty of room and resources to support active movement. Strong partnerships with families to best support children’s learning and development. A good mix of group time and free play. Long-serving qualified teachers at both centres. Transition to school programme for preschoolers. A nursery with under floor heating, this gives babies and toddlers a warm and cosy surface to play on.

Option of morning or afternoon session, short days, long days or full time

ABC Kaiapoi is a gorgeous purpose built childcare centre set against the stunning rural backdrop of Kaiapoi. We are a large centre and have ample room for your child to play in a safe and nurturing environment where learning is driven by children’s interests.

Our caring and qualified teachers will nurture and extend your child’s social, emotional, cognitive and physical development. We have loads of excellent age-specific resources to help your child learn and develop to their full potential. We believe that to effectively guide children into school, both teachers and parents/whānau need to be active participants in the journey. Because of this, we have an Open Door Policy, where we welcome family contributions at any time.

We understand that it can be quite stressful leaving your child in our care for the first time and know that it is important for you to be happy when leaving your children. Therefore we encourage you and your child to visit the centre as many times as you like, until you’re both comfortable.

Visiting the centre gives you the chance to see our teachers working with the children and in turn this is how they will interact with your child. You don’t need to book for a visit, simply drop by or call us for more information.

What makes us different:

• We have three large playgrounds for children to explore and discover, which are currently being re modelled to include new natural play areas.
• We have five large classrooms – providing more than required space to extend children’s learning. Which include a separate room for our under ones.
• Our under two bedroom has full stand-alone cots with a home away from home feel.
• Low teacher to child ratios
• Qualified, passionate and experienced staff
• Bright, clean and well-resourced centre

At Sovereign Stars, we believe that early years are a special time in a child’s life: an exciting period of discovery and learning.

We commit to provide exceptional care and education for your children.

What We Offer:

• A stimulating educational based programme for Children Aged 0 – 5 years
• Specialised music, dance and drama programme for Children aged 0 – 5 years.
• An opportunity for children to develop imagination and creativity through daily experiences.
• Gym programme, where children will develop gross motor skills, balance and co-ordination.
• Extension group for four year olds which focuses on readiness for school.
• Children are able to participate in small focused experiences to develop self-management and independence.
• Enjoyable experiences for children that promotes learning in numeracy and literacy.
• An environment where children are able to follow their interests and develop an enquiring mind.
• Develop language and communication by interacting, participating, and co-operating with other children and adults.

Tues 6-7pm 57 Williams St, above Super Liquor

Wednesday 57 Williams St, above Super Liquor from 6-7pm

Friday 5.30pm -7.30pm 57 Williams St, above Super Liquor

First session free, thereafter $5 per session. Ages from 7 upwards

Sensei Kevin Merriman 6th Dan
The Academy of Seiko-Kai Karate sets the standards for learning traditional and competition karate in Canterbury.Our classes promote more than just a martial art. Indeed they offer each individual the opportunity to partake in a structured programme guaranteed to awaken the hidden potentials of the student. Our philosophy in teaching is based upon old fashioned principles and etiquette.
Our instructors are all first aid trained, child welfare certified and are registered with ‘Karate New Zealand – (KNZ) (the official governing body for Karate in NZ.
Whether it is keep fit, learn self-defence, lose weight, gain confidence, discipline or self-motivation, TASK is here to help.

FitandAbel are swim coaches and open water swim specialists for adults. Highly experienced and very passionate Dan, Chloe and Penelope can help you wherever you are on your swimming journey, providing a fun and rewarding experience.
We have a private indoor heated 12m pool in Kaiapoi where we teach adult 121 'learn to swim' and swim technique lessons, plus small group clinics.
We also host swimming events over summer around Christchurch and open water swimming opportunities through weekend Swim Camps in both Christchurch and at Lake Brunner on the West Coast. And run Custom Swims for those looking to complete their own long distance swim challenge.
So if you are looking to start swimming, have signed up for a triathlon and need swim support, or are looking to take that next step and complete a marathon swim, then touch base to see how we can assist your swimming journey.