Outdoor play, gardening in nature with dinosaurs

About Us

Over 50 years of early childhood education in Remuera

Children thrive at Uplands Kindergarten, developing confidence, a passion for discovery and skills that set them up for a lifetime of learning. Owned and operated by Somervell Presbyterian Church, our kindergarten reflects Christian values and respect.

At Uplands Kindergarten, children learn skills to extend their development physically, socially, emotionally and intellectually. Learning takes place in all areas of the kindy, both inside and outside. We have been a trusted part of the local Remuera community for more than 50 years, and we are excited about what is yet to come.

  • Faith

    Our Christian identity is woven into our daily routines and provides a model of how we interact with our families and with each other at Uplands.

  • Learning

    Uplands children are inspired by their own learning power, having fun while developing skills in co-operative problem solving, independent reasoning and reflection.

  • Life

    Children at Uplands develop a range of skills and experience that connect them to the wider world, through community outreach, field trips and special learning opportunities.

Pure joy playing in the sandpit
Experienced, fully qualified team of ECE teachers offer excellent ratio

Meet our team

At Uplands we have some of the best early childhood education teachers and supporting staff around, and each brings something special to their work here.

Nicola

Jenn, experienced qualified ECE teacher

Jenn

Huiping, mandarin speaking qualified ECE teacher

Huiping

Karyn, qualified experienced kindy reliever teacher

Karyn

Tsana, Administration Manager at Uplands Kindergarten

Tsana

Grace, Administration Assistant, permanent reliever

Grace

  • “We highly recommend Uplands Kindy. The teaching staff are without doubt the best that you will find. They go above and beyond to get to know each and every child, their unique interests and personalities. Our son has thrived under their care.”

    SARAH

Learning at Uplands

Find out more about our curriculum here.

Parachute game at mat time, children having fun, music and dance
Science experiments, learning through play

Our Community

All of our children enjoy interacting with our wider community in a number of ways.

Each year kindergarten children and families are invited to join the congregation in a special service at Somervell Presbyterian Church. During this service some of the kindergarten is taken into the church - play dough, puzzles, books, Mobilo. Children and teachers sing their favourite songs and we all share morning tea together.

Christmas is a special celebration for Uplands. We invite all our families to watch our older children act out the Nativity play in Somervell Church, then all the children come together to sing a selection of Christmas songs.

Twice a year, the children invite their family to a night at Uplands Kindergarten. We have a shared dinner, the children show their parents their favourite things at kindy, and then perform a short concert.

Annual field trip to Ambury Farm feeding lambs, milking cows

Education outside the classroom

Every year in Spring, we book a private bus to visit Ambury Farm. The rangers meet us and we tour the farm. We watch the milking of cows (up close), see the pigs, turkey, Clydesdale horses, sit and hand feed the chickens. Just before we leave, each child gets to feed a hungry lamb a bottle of milk.

This trip has the most parent helpers and everyone comes home tired and happy.

Our History

Uplands Kindergarten was formed in 1970 when two busy mums, Ngaire Lee and Robyn Florence, found themselves looking after a growing group of neighbourhood children in their back gardens. They moved into three rooms at the rear of the old Somervell Presbyterian Church building in 1976.

Now Uplands is housed in a bright and airy purpose-built facility with great indoor/outdoor flow and a large outdoor area to accommodate our 2 – 6 year age group. A management committee draws on talents available in the church congregation as well as parent representatives. Through all the changes that the kindergarten has undergone in 50 years, the same care, love and practicality that went into forming Uplands all those years ago remains today.

Pop in for a visit

We welcome visitors to Uplands Kindergarten — feel free to drop into our kindergarten during opening hours or get in touch using the form below.

OPENING HOURS
Monday to Friday 8:30am – 3:30pm

Experienced teacher with child at carpentry table building and constructing