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Kia ora
We are Natasha and John Lee. We have been involved in Early Childhood Education since 2005. Having opened and operated four early childhood centres in Northland, we have gained extensive early childhood & teaching knowledge.
Miniwhais is all the “bests” of our knowledge and experiences wrapped into one. Everything is purposeful from our lakeside setting, purpose-built building, HUGE outdoor playground, our teachers, chef, Bush Kura and more!
Miniwhais’ lake and bush setting provides an incredible platform for learning and is the foundation of our philosophy. We are licensed for 50 tamariki between 0 and 6 years old and have two rooms, our Minis and Whais rooms. Our Minis room has 12 tamariki, aged 0-2.5 years, and our Whais room has up to 38 tamariki aged 2-6 years.
We pride ourselves on high-quality care and education that far exceeds regulatory standards in all aspects of our education, care, and environment.
Miniwhais Philosophy
We see tamariki as the next generation of guardians of our world and “connections” as the key to success. Connections with ourselves, with other, and with nature lay the foundation for a bright future for generations to come.
Te Whāriki, the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum, and the Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Treaty of Waitangi are woven throughout our philosophy, practice and environment within authentic tikanga practices, te reo māori and consideration to the guiding principles of the Maori world view.
Whanaungatanga is about forming and maintaining relationships and strengthening ties between kin and communities. This value is the essential glue that binds people together, providing the foundation for a sense of unity, belonging and cohesion. At Miniwhais tamariki are connected, with themselves, others, and the environment. Real authentic relationships mean that tamariki feel that they are respected and know that they have a place where they belong.
Rangitiritanga is the value and practice of people exercising their independence, and determining their choices for governing themselves. We encourage tamariki to become advocates for themselves and others by encouraging social and cultural competencies and dispositions.
Manaakitanga is a powerful way of expressing how Māori communities care about each other’s wellbeing, nurture relationships, and engage with one another. At Miniwhais we encourage tamariki to express kindness and respect for others, emphasising responsibility and reciprocity which creates a learning environment that treats all with dignity and respect.
Kaitiakitanga is the Maori belief that there is a deep kinship between humans and the natural world. This connection is expressed through kaitiakitanga – a way of managing the environment. We see our tamariki as the next generation of guardians of our world and we use Bush Kura to provide opportunities for tamariki to connect with, respect and learn about their, our natural environments.
Kotahitanga is a sense of belonging and togetherness, lifting each other up, offering support to others, and receiving it back. Tamariki are guided to really get to know themselves, to connect with themselves as we must know ourselves before we can know others. We encourage tamariki to work together, with energy and enthusiasm, towards the achievement of common goals.
“Ehara tāku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini. My strength is not as an individual, but as a collective”
Bush Kura (School)
Our Bush Kura program is for tamariki 3.5 years+ and is set in 71 hectares at the base of Piroa or the Brynderwyn Range.
Three times a week we take a group of 10 to Bush Kura, where the bush becomes their classroom. Bush Kura empowers tamariki to explore tactile experiences of the soil, mud, water, leaves, and bark and reinforces a sense of unity, and connectedness, with nature and provides opportunities for real, authentic learning like nothing else can. Because, unlike the classroom, the ground isn’t flat or perfectly designed just for tamariki.
As tamariki navigate the natural environment, they take risks, try and fail, and try again, developing resilience, perseverance, and confidence. Research shows that there are numerous psychological, emotional & developmental benefits for tamariki with regular access to nature.
Bush Kura supports and extends on learning dispositions such as curiosity and persistence, being in nature provides tamariki with countless opportunities for discovery, creativity, and problem-solving, to learn by doing and experiment with ideas.
Miniwhais Meals Prepared by Steph the Chef!
We are very proud to have achieved the Gold Healthy Heart Award, the highest award awarded by the Heart Foundation.
Miniwhais meals are made daily onsite and are designed by a qualified chef with many years of early childhood nutritional experience.
We provide morning tea, lunch (usually cooked), afternoon tea and late snack. Our daily menu contains all the food groups fruit & vegetables, bread & cereals, milk & milk products, lean meat, chicken, seafood, dried peas, beans, and lentils, so you know when your tamariki has been at Miniwhais for the day, their nutritional needs have been taken care of!
But its not just about the food, our Active Movement & Nutrition Policy that provides opportunities for tamariki to garden, harvest & cook, learn about nutrition, keeping themselves healthy through healthy choices, and being active.
Spending the day learning and playing with good nutrition on board leads to better concentration, improved learning and healthy growth and development.
We are very experienced in managing and catering to all food choices, including intolerances, allergies, or beliefs and will create an action plan and alternatives in partnership with you.
