For parents

Our experienced children’s librarians offer a variety of services and resources. Here are some guides and resources for helping preschool children at different stages in their early learning.

Introduce your child to a love of reading

  • Read aloud to your child every day
  • Make it a special time to enjoy
  • Talk to your child about the pictures or the story
  • Read with expression and enjoyment
  • Have fun and laugh together
  • Use nursery rhymes, songs and finger play to introduce early awareness of speech sounds

Regular library programmes

All sessions are free. You don't need to book - just come along!

Babytimes

Enjoy songs, stories and rhymes with your baby. Afterwards, an opportunity to meet with other parents.

Babytimes is not on during the school holidays.

  • Rangiora - Monday 10.30 am - 11 am
  • Kaiapoi - Friday 11.00 am - 11.30 am
Toddlertimes

Toddlertimes is not on during the school holidays.

Come and join the fun with puppets, songs and poems for 2-4 year olds. There is a new theme every term!

  • Oxford - Tuesday 10.30 am - 11 am
  • Kaiapoi - Wednesday 10:30 am - 11 am
Storytimes

Storytimes is not on during the school holidays.

Preschoolers learn a love of books and language with the magic of story. Afterwards, an opportunity to meet with other parents.

  • Rangiora - Tuesday 10 am - 10.30 am
  • Rangiora - Thursday 10 am - 10.30 am
  • Oxford - Friday 10 am - 10.30 am
Helpful hints

Holiday events

Watch for advertised special events in the school holidays.

Books about parenting

We have lots of books to help you with your challenging job.

Sparklers has developed some resources to help talk to kids about the current Covid-19 situation. There are also other resources to help with general health and wellbeing for children and families. New entrance to Year 8.