Childcare options in Opunake

Opunake Playcentre is well placed to support both our rural and town based community. We are able to be flexible to changing family demands and provide sessions that range from large and busy to quiet and focused.

Combined enrolment with other local Early Childhood Education providers is common within our membership. However our unique strength lies in learning together in an environment that is an extension of home. Our door is open for caregiver education & support as much as it is for our 0-6 year olds.

Our children are supported to become confident, competent self-directed learners through play based around their interests. Our children gain knowledge through play, participation and positive guidance.

Our children’s curiosity and creativity is nurtured through the fun range of experiences provided … no two days at Playcentre are the same.

Our children develop nurturing and social skills which have lifelong benefits. Siblings can attend together, older children mentor younger children and practise empathy and caring.

Our caregiver relationships developed through Playcentre provide support and help develop new parenting and life skills. 

Our parents are actively involved in providing our children’s learning programmes. The high adult to child ratio allows a good balance for group and individual support during each session.

There is no other organisation for early childhood education and family development quite like it in the world. Thousands of children, and their parents too, have grown up with Playcentre.

Our Vision - Whakakitenga

A leading Early Childhood Education service in Opunake that provides innovative education that meets the needs of our community.

Our Mission - Te Uaratanga

To maintain our high standards of innovative education and be a leading Early Childhood Education Enviroschool: educating and supporting our tamariki and the Coastal Opunake community in Environmentally Sustainable practices to ensure Aroha and Empathy for Paptuanuku

Philosophy

H Health            Healthy minds and bodies

E Empathy         Empathy is to be able to identify with and understand another persons feelings, situation and motives

A Aroha              Aroha is love and acceptance

R Resilience       Resilience to cope with our changing society​

T Tikanga           Reflecting our strong cultural values.

Why are we bicultural? 

As a centre, both staff and Goverance have committed to creating a bicultural learning environment for our children, because as New Zealanders, Maori culture is a huge part of our nations identity. Being bicultural is a clear part of our philosophy and also a requirement of the Ministry of Education. We value Maori culture and will promote this within our centre. Our philosophy states "We embrace te o Maori, promoting and affirming te reo (language), tikanga (customs and traditions) and the kawa (protocol) of our community." 

What can you expect to see in our centre?

Children will be given the opportunity to participate in many activities that we have designed to introduce them to, or build upon their knowledge of Maori culture, protocols and values. Some examples of our bicultural environment and curriculum are: We say a karakia (grace) before eating, we learn our Kindy waiata (song), we learn arts and crafts; such as flax weaving, poi making, kanikani (dance). Lots of te reo is spoken during the day; through mihimihi, commands, questions, welcomes and farewells, and requests. The kindy environment reflects our bi-cultural country, with Maori language, symbols, artwork and positive role models represented. 

Te Kōhanga Reo

The kōhanga reo movement is a unique initiative based on total immersion in Māori language and values with the aim of passing on Māori culture to future generations.

Kōhanga reo emphasise the revitalisation of the culture through te reo Māori and are dependent on the active participation of the whole whānau. The kaupapa of kōhanga reo aims to strengthen whānau capabilities in cultural, social, economic, spiritual and political matters. Education, health and wellbeing are inherent within all aspects of the kaupapa. The prime focus is the whānau – its collective development, growth, accountability and wellbeing set within a Māori cultural context.

Kōhanga reo do not regard tamariki in isolation, but as important members of the whānau. The kōhanga reo philosophy is that tamariki will benefit when whānau successfully operate according to the kaupapa. Tamariki are an integral part of whānau development.

The following key goals are the foundation of te kōhanga reo kaupapa established in 1982:

• total immersion in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga in daily operations
• whānau decision-making, management and responsibility
• accountability
• health and wellbeing of mokopuna and whānau.

The key goals of te kōhanga reo assure that there will be:

• security in te reo Māori
• a supportive, caring environment for mokopuna
• whānau (collective) sharing of responsibilities, knowledge and expertise
• greater respect and appreciation of each other.