About Us
We are proud to offer our personalised early childhood services to families and educators within the Selwyn District & Christchurch City.
Welcome!
Established in 2008, Selwyn Kids was created to provide quality childcare and early learning for families and whānau across the Selwyn District.
What makes Selwyn Kids unique is the philosophy at the heart of everything we do – the Pūkeko philosophy. Inspired by the way Pūkeko nurture, protect and care for their young within a strong, connected community, our approach is centred around nurturing, whānau, community and protection.
These values guide how we care for our tamariki, support our educators and build meaningful relationships with the families and whānau in our community.
At Selwyn Kids, we believe every child deserves to feel safe, valued, connected and cared for.
Our Pukeko Story
Selwyn Kids is a unique service, guided by the Pūkeko philosophy in the way we care for our tamariki. This philosophy embodies nurturing, whānau, community and protection – values that shape everything we do.
Our logo reflects this beautifully. When you look at the image of the Pūkeko, you’ll notice a larger Pūkeko alongside a smaller one. The larger Pūkeko represents the key figures in a child’s life – whether it’s a parent, grandparent, aunty, uncle or another caregiver – someone who offers unconditional love, protection and guidance.
This symbolises the belief that it takes a whole whānau to raise a child, embracing the principles of kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and manaakitanga (care and respect).
Pūkeko are deeply social birds, thriving in strong, connected communities. They:
Protect their young, fiercely shielding them from harm.
Live within a collective (kotahitanga), where each member plays a role in raising and supporting the chicks.
Extend manaakitanga, ensuring that all young in their group feel nurtured and valued.
The story of the Pūkeko reflects the heart of Selwyn Kids — a journey shaped by many and evolving with each generation. Just as the Pūkeko cares for its young, we are committed to creating a safe, nurturing and connected environment for every child in our care.
Philosophy & Mission
Selwyn Kids reflects the diversity of New Zealand society and is open to all children and their families. Cultural diversity is celebrated for its ability to enhance and enrich the learning environment.
We are proud to offer our early childhood services to families and educators within the Selwyn District and beyond for the benefit of our greatest treaure’s – our children.
Who We Are
Selwyn Kids is owned by Rolleston locals, Rebecca and Kerry Adams, who share a passion for children and embraces all children as part of their whānau.
Rebecca is a registered early childhood teacher who has been active in early childhood education for over 20 years. Rebecca has experience from running preschools for a major early childhood corporate through to privately owned preschools. It is this experience that allows Selwyn Kids to deliver a wonderful and nurturing environment for its children. Rebecca is a mum to three children, Cameron, Keegan and Cushla who are all part of the Selwyn Kids whānau and programmes.
Kerry is a chartered accountant and the Director of Whutupōro Chartered Accountants, bringing considerable business experience and knowledge to Selwyn Kids. Kerry is responsible for the behind the scenes management of Selwyn Kids.
Our Vision & Mission
Our Vision:
Selwyn Kids is committed to providing every child with the opportunity to play, learn and grow in a safe and supportive environment. We celebrate individuality and nurture the potential of every child, ensuring they feel valued, respected and encouraged to thrive.
Our Mission:
We understand that every family has unique needs, and we are dedicated to providing a personalised service that supports your child’s growth and development. Our goal is to work alongside families to create the best possible learning and care experience, fostering a strong sense of belonging, connection and wellbeing for every child.
