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Welcome to Whangaparaoa Kindergarten. Nau mai haere mai kohungahunga o Whangaparaoa
Child led, play based learning is important to us, as teachers we support children’s agency, by encouraging choice from our resource rich environment creating a sense of fun and wonder.
Our mixed age group provides an inclusive environment by encouraging involvement with learners of different ages, abilities and backgrounds.
We are a Silver Enviroschool and support a sense of kaitiakitanga/guardianship of Papatuanuku/Earth.
We practice mindfulness and kindness to others. Reciprocal relationships, within our community of learners where everyone feels safe and cared for, are the foundations for learning and development.
Child led, play based learning is important to us, as teachers we support children’s agency, by encouraging choice from our resource rich environment nurturing to create a sense of fun and wonder. Our natural and large outdoor environment provokes play and provides physical challenges and leadership opportunities. Whānau and community involvement enriches our programme.
We take our tamariki on regular nature based excursions and we have strong relationships with Whangaparaoa and Gulf Harbour schools. As a member of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula Kahui Ako, we are part of a community of 17 Early Childhood Services. Our mixed age group provides an inclusive environment by encouraging involvement with learners of different ages, abilities and backgrounds.
Our Purpose
To provide effective early childhood education services to ensure every child leaves kindergarten with the foundations of personal development and a love of life and learning
Your Child, Your Place
At our centres your child will learn:
- How to relate to other children and their teachers
- How to take responsibility, develop independence and self-confidence
- How to share and explore their understanding of people, places and things
- How to express ideas and acknowledge feelings
- Negotiating, turn taking, cooperation and conflict resolution
- Respect for other cultures, languages and traditions
- How to better interact with family and the wider community
- Hauora (the four dimensions of health), physical, mental, social and spiritual health
- Sustainability and the natural environment
Our History
Kaitiaki Kindergartens were originally known as the East Coast Bays Free Kindergarten Association. Torbay was the association’s first kindergarten which opened in 1954 and it is still a very active kindergarten to this day. As we grew we became known as the Northern Auckland Free Kindergarten Association. Today, we go by the name of ‘Kaitiaki Kindergartens’. Kaitiaki means, “a guardian or trustee, typically of an environmental area or resource.” This change reflects our responsibility to each and every child, community member and kindergarten in the Kaitiaki wider family.
We’re about:
- children, families and whanau
- quality early childhood education
- a qualified and registered workforce
- community
- not-for-profit
- home grown
- kiwi owned
Kindergarten is a partnership between:
Teachers
Qualified, registered teachers provide and deliver educational programmes under the guidance and support of the Professional Practice Leaders.
Our communities
Support teachers and the Association to help raise funds to ensure it has the resources required by the teachers and staff and to build community relationships.
Board of management
Elected by the community by members (parents/whanau) to govern the Association. The board sets policies and the strategic direction of the Association and appoints the General Manager to manage the Association on their behalf.