Childcare options in Titirangi

As a community kindergarten we believe strong relationships are essential. Respectful and reciprocal relationships between kaiako and tamariki, parents and whānau, and our community, provide a foundation of unity and inclusion, and help tamariki develop a strong sense of belonging. We aspire for tamariki to experience an empowering curriculum that recognises and enhances their mana. We recognise tamariki as individuals and are committed to nurturing their unique abilities and fostering a love for learning. We believe in role-modelling ‘ako’, where tamariki learn from kaiako through everyday teaching and providing enriching learning experiences. Kaiako learn from tamariki by following their interests, exploring together, and listening to and valuing their thoughts, beliefs, and ideas.

​Diversity is celebrated and embraced within our community. We recognise and value the languages and cultures of every tamariki, fostering an atmosphere of respect and appreciation for their individual backgrounds. By acknowledging and affirming their unique identities, we create a rich and inclusive tapestry of experiences that enhances the learning journey for all. We have high aspirations for every tamaiti and support these by partnering with their whānau and communities to design and deliver a curriculum that responds to their needs, and sustains their identities, languages, and cultures.

We aspire for every tamaiti to experience an empowering curriculum that recognises and enhances their mana, whilst supporting the mana of others. We believe that to learn and develop to their potential, tamariki must be respected and valued. This means recognising their rights to having their wellbeing promoted and to be protected from harm. They need to experience equitable opportunities for learning and play and be supported in the development of a strong sense of identity and creative expression. We believe that all tamariki have the right to engage in a rich curriculum, as guided by Te Whāriki, where tamariki have agency to create and act on their own ideas. Play and playfulness are valued, and kaiako-initiated experiences are inviting and enjoyable.

We believe in the importance of kaiako, tamariki and whānau working together to look after and be guardians of our planet Papatuanuku, not only for these tamariki but for future generations. We aim for tamariki to develop a love and respect for, and life-long connection to, our natural world. Kaiako act as role models and support tamariki to look after each other, our natural resources and care for our environment.

Our tamariki are encouraged to develop and demonstrate leadership skills through many opportunities such as tuakana/teina experiences, helping kaiako, younger tamariki, role modelling, and taking responsibility in caring for our kindergarten environment. We encourage and support tamariki to develop growing independence within supportive loving relationships, that also foster their interdependence within our kindergarten whānau.

In honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi, kaiako commit to working with whānau in the spirit of partnership and the acceptance of obligations for participation and protection. We implement te reo me ngā tikanga Māori in our daily practices, ensuring tamariki develop an understanding of the histories and cultures of Aotearoa. Our curriculum framework Te Whāriki is woven strongly through our philosophy.

Ko te ahurei o te tamaiti arahia ō tātou māhi

Let the uniqueness of the child guide our work

Titirangi Kindergarten has an expansive outdoor area for children to explore and play.

Inside Titirangi Kindergarten we offer spacious, inviting indoor areas specifically designed to inspire and encourage children to discover and learn.

Our professionally qualified teaching team work with children to model language and introduce concepts based on maths, science, literacy and sustainable practices.

Titirangi Kindergarten participates in the Enviroschools programme, and is a Bronze Enviroschool kindergarten.

Our kindergartens have early childhood qualified and registered teachers.  The teachers are dedicated to, and passionate about, early childhood education.  Each kindergarten has a head teacher plus teachers and support staff.  Quality learning programmes are based on the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum, Te Whāriki.

Our learning philosophy

For the past 110 years, the Auckland Kindergarten Association has been igniting young minds by encouraging them to explore their imaginations through play. For many of us, kindergarten was where we began our life of learning; it was where we started learning skills like sharing, tolerance, patience, respect and self-confidence.

We view children as capable, competent, life-long learners, and our philosophy encourages children to make their own learning choices, problem-solve and observe and explore at their own pace…with support from teachers, parents, wider whānau and their peers. We value the importance of child-initiated, play-based experiences. Our kindergarten teachers nurture your children’s interests and natural curiosity by working alongside them, expanding language and introducing mathematical and science concepts, as well as literacy, digital technology and sustainable practices.

Our centres have gardens and natural outdoor spaces where children can create, explore, be imaginative and expressive. There’s plenty of room to safely run about, being imaginative and physically active. In fact, the natural world is essential to free-range play. AKA encourages each kindergarten community to explore and enrich their diversity and uniqueness. Some have regular excursions into the local community; some are Enviroschool kindergartens that live and breathe sustainable practices; while others engage in long-term research on child interest-based programmes of learning.

As an organisation, we formally acknowledge the dual heritage of Aotearoa / New Zealand, and work to uphold the spirit and intent of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in each kindergarten. We are accessible, secular and welcoming to the wide diversity of tamariki and whānau who attend our centres, and value ongoing partnerships between teaching teams and leadership staff with families and whānau. We value ongoing learning for teachers, parents and whānau, and the sharing of knowledge, skills and attributes is fundamental to achieving the best learning outcomes for children. Teachers and staff can access collegial professional time to ensure that quality practice is enhanced so current theories of learning and development within New Zealand’s world-class Te Whāriki early childhood curriculum are shared and understood.

Children learn

Children in our kindergartens have the opportunity to:

• Feel confident, develop responsibility and a sense of independence
• Play meaningfully alongside other children and adults
• Develop effective communication skills
• Persevere, problem-solve and take risks
• Explore limits, boundaries, routines and conflict resolution strategies
• Practice fine motor skills such as threading, writing, cutting and grasping
• Develop gross motor play such as physical games like climbing, throwing, kicking, balancing and lifting
• Develop creative expressions through painting, music, collage, movement, dance, finger-painting, drawing, cutting, pasting and story sharing
• Develop early numeracy, literacy and science skills
• Learn techniques through trial and error
• Explore the world through experimenting, questioning and curiosity
• Develop confidence and celebrate both attempts and successes
• Develop a passion for learning and a love of life
• Have fun!

Older children will be supported in their transition to school to make this process as simple and seamless as possible. Book a visit here on Kindello today, we’d love to meet you.

Our children are supported to become confident, competent self-directed learners through play based around their interests. Our children gain knowledge through play, participation and positive guidance.

Our children’s curiosity and creativity is nurtured through the fun range of experiences provided … no two days at Playcentre are the same.

Our children develop nurturing and social skills which have lifelong benefits. Siblings attend together, allowing older children to mentor younger children and practice empathy and caring.

Our parental relationships developed through Playcentre provide support from parents and help them develop new parenting and life skills.

Our parents are actively involved in providing our children’s learning programmes. The high adult to child ratio allows a good balance for group and individual support during each session.

There is no other organisation for early childhood education and family development quite like it in the world. Thousands of kiwi children, and their parents too, have grown up with Playcentre … book in for your three visits today and come and join the fun."