Michael Park Kindergarten

Michael Park Kindergarten is part of Michael  School, an interegted Rudolf Stenier school offering education for children aged 3 to 18 years.

Aroha: loving interest in and acceptance of tamariki and their whānau (family) is at the heart of our philosophy.

This whakatauki describes how we see our purpose.

“Akiaki te tī o tangata”
To nurture the indescribable light in a person

Our Philosophy

Tō mātou rapunga whakaaro

Michael Park recognises and value the interconnectedness of:

Te Taha Tinana – the active physical and physiological aspects, which in Steiner education recognises the involvement of life forces (etheric) in vitality and learning.

Te Taha Whatumanawa – heart and emotions, which in Steiner education is enriched through the arts and creativity.

Te Taha Hinengaro – the mind, which in Steiner education is stimulated by open ended opportunity to bring ideas to life in play.

Te Taha Wairua – the spiritual core, which in Steiner education is at the centre of identity and self organisation and influenced by the quality of human relationships.

Play

Te Tūhura me te Tākaro

The spontaneous, self-directed play of tamariki is valued as an essential activity and seen as a (an innate) childhood right. Play is an opportunity to meaningfully make sense of experience and integrate cognitive and problem-solving skills, creativity and imagination, self-expression, concentration, investigation, language, numeracy and social skills.

Artistic activities and creative experience further children’s capacity to speak, listen and communicate well with others. Storytelling, waiata (singing), drawing and painting, rhythmic games, modelling and craft foster the healthy development of imagination and creativity.

Environment

Te taiao

As soon as you step inside, you’ll notice the home-like feeling of inviting colours, earthy tones, and handmade wooden toys – you will also hear the giggles of children happily at play!

Kaiako (teachers) create a learning environment where there is meaningful adult activity for children to imitate. Practical mahi (work) such as cooking, baking, gardening, craft and caring for the environment is woven into daily, weekly and seasonal rhythms.

Daily Life

Ngā Nekeneke

A glimpse into the daily life of Michael Park Kindergarten … a place where food, rhythms, festivals and whānau are appreciated and celebrated.

Children bring a lunchbox every day.  In keeping with our Steiner philosophy there is no packaged or sugary food in lunch boxes. Meals are served and eaten together in the spirit of love and gratitude.  We also like to cook with the children as part of curriculum.  Food is prepared with care and respect to support healthy eating habits, digestion and physical development. Where possible, it is grown organically or biodynamically.

Rhythm is seen  important for children as it allows them to expand out into the world and then to come together in a more focused experience. Rhythm creates a feeling of wellbeing and joy that helps children feel secure, relaxed and eager to play. At our Steiner kindergarten, rhythms are simple and unhurried. Teachers plan their work, yet there are always opportunities for spontaneous events which arise out of momentary needs – of a child, a good idea or request, the weather, nature or an unexpected happening.

Festivals, including birthdays, seasonal and cultural festivals, Easter and Christmas are celebrated in a variety of ways. We value festivals as they give opportunities for the children to experience joy and wonder, giving and receiving, caring for others, a sense of belonging, being special and valued.

Our priorities for Learning:

• Tamariki develop holistically becoming active, healthy, physically capable and able to self-regulate.
• Tamariki grow into socially and emotionally secure individuals.
• Tamariki have plenty of opportunity to play with depth and purpose and are able pursue their own ideas.
• Tamariki experience successful transitions and are ready to meet the challenges of school.
• Tamariki develop a robust sense of self valuing their identities, languages and cultures and unique identity.

Mixed Age Whanau Grouping

There are four kindergarten groups, each with children of mixed ages from 4-6 years old. There is also a Rose Cottage group for children aged 3-4 years old.  We give thoughtful consideration to these groupings, ensuring that children who share a first language, family relationship (i.e., siblings or cousins) or cultural connection are grouped together.

Transition to School

The kindergarten and school aim to maintain a distinct curriculum that is age appropriate and developmentally attuned. The stepping stones between kindergarten and Class 1 are aligned.

Tamariki move from Kindergarten to school at the beginning of the school year, after they have turned 6. Each year, in Term 4, the school organises visits to the school for those children moving to Class 1.

Hours and Term Dates

The kindergarten is open from 8.30am to 2.00pm, Monday to Friday, for tamariki aged 3 to 6 years.

We give thoughtful consideration to these groupings, ensuring that children who share a first language, family relationship (i.e., siblings or cousins) or cultural connection are grouped together in mixed age groups.

We follow the same term dates as the school.