Childcare options in Putaruru

Te Kōhanga Reo o Ruru Te Tupuna is a centre-based kōhanga reo located in Putaruru and provides for up to 23 tamariki. Book a visit today to connect with our kōhanga reo and to learn more about the options for your whanau.

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.

(formally Putaruru Childcare Ltd) 

We are a locally owned and operated early childhood centre located in the heart of our small town. We are committed to providing natural and stimulating resources to our tamariki, many of which we source from in and around our town. We utilise our whanau and local community members to teach our children about other aspects of life and how they work to help others; such as ambulance, fire, police and library. We are very much a community orientated centre and love taking our children for walks and exploring what Putaruru has to offer our youngest members!

We provide a natural outside play environment where children learn the importance of protecting and nurturing papatuanuku through taking care of our vegetables and looking after our gardens.

We believe that our relationships with children should be based on respect and trust from nurturing adults familiar to children. Our passionate and dedicated teachers will take the time to develop respectful responsive relationships with all children and their whanau.

We believe that at Kiwi Iti Early Learning Centre children will learn and develop as a well rounded person, proud of their culture and who they are and proud of their capabilities and what they contribute to the centre environment.

We will support their eagerness to discover, explore, learn, and grow in their own time and way. As such we provide an environment with various open-ended resources that promote free play, we are passionate about equipping our environment with resources that reflect the interests each child holds.

We believe that by providing a well-resourced environment complimented by our loving atmosphere, the children’s health, well - being and belonging will be nurtured and in turn be strengthened.

Early Learning at Our Centre

Our curriculum is influenced and designed around the interests of the children attending, guided by the New Zealand early childhood frame work Te Whariki. We take pride in building authentic relationships with all our children and their families. We value all feedback from our families and community to fine tune our curriculum and the way we practice to meet the needs sort.

Nau mai haere mai ki Central Kids Charles Kindergarten.

Where tamariki mokopuna enjoy learning through play within Ranginui and Papatūānuku.  Where Kaiako contribute to tamariki education using their strengths.  Our indoor and outdoor areas offer wero and ako for ages 2 years to school age.

We uphold the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi through kōrero i te Te Reo Māori, kaupapa Māori and ako about Te Ao Māori.  We are working on building our skills and knowledge in this area.  Kaiako value home languages, cultures and our community.

We venture on hīkoi and we are active in our relationship with Huri, Pikitū Marae, Barnett’s Reserve and Te Wharekura o Pātetere.  Central Kids Charles is conveniently located 50m from Te Wharekura o Pātetere.  Come in and visit us anytime.

Tihei Mauri Ora

•  At Abbey’s Place Childcare Centres’ we believe that Early Childhood Education is an important part of a child’s learning and development.
•  We believe that providing opportunities for children to take control of their own learning is vital.
•  Children are encouraged to learn at their own pace in a safe, consistent, trusting environment which is meaningful to children, allowing us to build the foundations   for their lifelong learning.
•  Our philosophy is based on a socio cultural context in which children learn through socialization and play with and alongside other more capable peers and adults.
•  Spontaneous play is recognised as “free play”, “free play” stems from the interests of the children and this is supported, affirmed and extended by competent   teachers through a planned process of assessment and evaluation which shows progression in learning and development and creates an emergent curriculum.
•  Staff, children, parents and whānau are encouraged to use te reo Māori, tikanga and cultural practices that reflect the dual heritage of Aotearoa/New Zealand   and the Treaty of Waitangi. Likewise we acknowledge other cultures that contribute to our setting.