Park Estate Early Learning

Our early learning centre environment is new and inspiring. We encourage our tamariki to explore our wonderful inside and outside areas with the freedom of choice and the opportunity to discover at their own pace.

Our tamariki are affirmed as capable and independent learners, strong in their identity, language, and culture. Our qualified and experienced Kaiako (Teachers) are passionate, dedicated, and heart-centred, with a strong focus on the positive language of learning with children. We build on the individual experience, knowledge, skills, and attitudes of our tamariki and empower them to make their own choices and to take responsibility for their own learning.

The individual identity, culture, and language of our tamariki are very important to us. Our Kaiako work hard to ensure that all our tamariki feel a sense of belonging. Whanaungatanga, Manaakitanga Ngakau nui, Kaitiakitanga, and Tuakana teina, are all an integral part of our everyday environment. Kaiako also work collaboratively alongside whānau to make connections with our wider community and create a local curriculum for our setting and learners.

Park Estate Early Learning is part of Counties Manukau Kindergarten Association, a not-for-profit organisation.

Our programme

Kaiako support tamariki in inquiry learning and together become co-researchers, enhancing tamariki mana and providing a rich curriculum for all the tamariki in the centre.

We follow the New Zealand early childhood Curriculum Te Whāriki which is an inclusive curriculum.

'A curriculum for all tamariki. Inclusion encompasses gender and ethnicity, diversity of ability and learning needs, whānau structure and values, socio-economic status and religion. Te Whāriki holds the promise that all tamariki will be empowered to learn with and alongside others by engaging in experiences that have meaning for them.' [Te Whāriki 2017 pg 13]

The curriculum framework is organised with the four principles:

• Empowerment / Whakamana
• Holistic development / Kotahitanga
• Family and Community / Whānau tangata
• Relationships / Ngā hononga

These are fundamental expectations for ECE. Practice and pedagogy are guided by the principles and create the foundations of our decision-making.

As we view tamariki as capable and competent learners, goals and learning outcomes combine with these five strands to guide our kaiako to support tamariki in developing their capabilities:

• Wellbeing / Mana atua
• Belonging / Mana whenua
• Contribution / Mana tangata
• Communication / Mana reo
• Exploration / Mana aotūroa

Our Kaiako are also influenced by the theories of RIE, Pikler, and Reggio Emilia, where great importance is placed on respect for all individuals. These approaches embrace love and respect where tamariki develop at their own pace and inquiry learning.