Bowen Early Childhood Education Centre

Welcome to Bowen, a non-profit community-based centre. Our Centre is licensed for up to 30 children from six months through to five years with a maximum of ten under two years olds a day.

Our Centre is located on the outskirts of Wellington CBD, between Northland and Wilton.

Children are nurtured in an environment that is welcoming,  and strongly reflects the centre’s philosophy.

Vision – Children at the heart of our practice,  working in collaboration with parents and whānau, to provide high quality, fun and caring environment that challenges, inspires and grows children into lifelong learners.

The heart of the Centre

The heart of Bowen Early Childhood Education Centre’s Philosophy is to embrace relationships through the principle of Whānaungatanga (the extended family concept). Aroha (love) underpins and supports the warm, trusting and reciprocal relationships between kaitiaki (staff) and tamariki (children) and their whānau. This is foundational in fostering Ūkaipōtanga , as when tamariki, whanau and kaitiaki develop a strong sense of belonging and wellbeing and their identity is nurtured, they can contribute, growing to be confident and capable in what they do.

Core values

Whānaungatanga- Our relationships are founded on manaakitanga, where we work collaboratively and collectively.

Manaakitanga – We give others a sense of self-worth, treating them with respect, being generous with our time and showing care.

Aroha –We show love, understanding and compassion to each other.

Kotahitanga – We unite together each with our own unique contributions, while recognising that children need a variety of experiences to support their holistic learning and development.

Ūkaipōtanga – All belong and contribute to the place where they are nurtured, grow and develop

Bowen’s learning priorities

Thinking Magically

Tamariki develop the skills and confidence to express themselves openly and creatively, imaging alternatives to support problem solving and thinking magically about their world.(Te Whāriki – Exploration, Communication, Holistic development)

Agency

Tamariki develop an awareness of their power and potential to make choices, lead their own learning, and make a difference. Through holistic nourishment, tamariki develop a strong sense of self worth and  agency.

(Te Whāriki, Well-being, Communication, Empowerment)

Passion

Tamariki develop a strong curiosity for the world around them, fostering a desire to attempt and complete tasks, despite challenges or obstacles, and growing a passion for life-long learning.

(Te Whāriki, Exploration, Contribution, Empowerment, Holistic development)

Whakawhānaungatanga

Tamariki develop a strong sense of connection as a community of learners, through strong, trusting, reciprocal relationships based on aroha, respect and manaakitanga. Tamariki will grow an understanding of their whakapapa, whanau and community and how these things contribute to their sense of identity and working theories of their world.

(Te Whāriki – Contribution, Belonging, Relationships, Family and community).