Childcare options in Kaitaia

Te Kōhanga Reo

The kōhanga reo movement is a unique initiative based on total immersion in Māori language and values with the aim of passing on Māori culture to future generations.

Kōhanga reo emphasise the revitalisation of the culture through te reo Māori and are dependent on the active participation of the whole whānau. The kaupapa of kōhanga reo aims to strengthen whānau capabilities in cultural, social, economic, spiritual and political matters. Education, health and wellbeing are inherent within all aspects of the kaupapa. The prime focus is the whānau – its collective development, growth, accountability and wellbeing set within a Māori cultural context.

Kōhanga reo do not regard tamariki in isolation, but as important members of the whānau. The kōhanga reo philosophy is that tamariki will benefit when whānau successfully operate according to the kaupapa. Tamariki are an integral part of whānau development.

The following key goals are the foundation of te kōhanga reo kaupapa established in 1982:

• total immersion in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga in daily operations
• whānau decision-making, management and responsibility
• accountability
• health and wellbeing of mokopuna and whānau.

The key goals of te kōhanga reo assure that there will be:

• security in te reo Māori
• a supportive, caring environment for mokopuna
• whānau (collective) sharing of responsibilities, knowledge and expertise
• greater respect and appreciation of each other.

Te Kōhanga Reo

The kōhanga reo movement is a unique initiative based on total immersion in Māori language and values with the aim of passing on Māori culture to future generations.

Kōhanga reo emphasise the revitalisation of the culture through te reo Māori and are dependent on the active participation of the whole whānau. The kaupapa of kōhanga reo aims to strengthen whānau capabilities in cultural, social, economic, spiritual and political matters. Education, health and wellbeing are inherent within all aspects of the kaupapa. The prime focus is the whānau – its collective development, growth, accountability and wellbeing set within a Māori cultural context.

Kōhanga reo do not regard tamariki in isolation, but as important members of the whānau. The kōhanga reo philosophy is that tamariki will benefit when whānau successfully operate according to the kaupapa. Tamariki are an integral part of whānau development.

The following key goals are the foundation of te kōhanga reo kaupapa established in 1982:

• total immersion in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga in daily operations
• whānau decision-making, management and responsibility
• accountability
• health and wellbeing of mokopuna and whānau.

The key goals of te kōhanga reo assure that there will be:

• security in te reo Māori
• a supportive, caring environment for mokopuna
• whānau (collective) sharing of responsibilities, knowledge and expertise
• greater respect and appreciation of each other.

Our Philosophy

Footprints educare welcomes whānau and tamariki into a caring Christian environment where we seek to nurture each tamaiti as a unique creation of God.  Commitment to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi forms a strong foundation for ensuring the bicultural partnership in Aotearoa New Zealand is maintained.  This is evident in all aspects of our practice which is guided by Te Whariki early childhood curriculum.

​We endeavor to provide tamariki with a rich curriculum that fosters their identity as successful learners.  The learning environment provides opportunities for tamariki to learn through play and to enable their holistic development to be supported and extended. We allow time for tamariki to take the lead and follow their interests.

​Meaningful relationships are fostered between kaiako, tamariki and whanau. Kaiako are attuned to tamariki cues, and are intentional in responding to these in ways to engage in and extend their learning.​

We work in partnership with whānau to ensure their aspirations for their tamariki and ongoing learning is achieved.  Manaakitanga for self and others is encouraged and role modelled at all times.​

Opportunities to explore kaitiakitanga creates learning development for new skills and experiences. We value the role of environmental guardianship and see the importance of teaching this to our future generations.

Social competence and Christian values are a key focus within our curriculum. Promoting independence and self-help skills forms the foundation for preparing tamariki to successfully transition into their next learning steps.

We see the environment as an important learning tool for our tamariki.

Footprints educare facilities have been carefully designed to make the most of our beautiful Far North setting.  All learning centres are integrated by design with the outdoors.  Whether it be lunch together, water play, or story time under the Pohutakawa tree – exploration of our environment is encouraged and celebrated.

Nau mai, Haere mai Mokopuna ma!!

He kakano i ruia mai i Rangiatea e kore e ngaro.

Ko te whakapono a Nau Mai Mokopuna he taonga nga tamariki katoa, i ahu mai ia no nga Atua. Na tenei whakatauki e kitea ana kia kaha tonu tatou ki te whakako i nga tamariki nohinohi kia tupu kaha pena ki te Totara. We are a seed of Rangiatea, never to be lost

Nau mai, haere mai and welcome to Kaitaia Playcentre

Playcentre is unlike any other early childhood education organisation. At Playcentre, both children and their parents / caregivers attend.

At Playcentre children get the opportunity to learn and explore in a fun and safe environment.

The curiosity and creativity of our tamariki is nurtured in a way that allows them to learn about themselves and their world.

Your child will be given a chance to explore, create, climb, read, sing, experiment, play music, wear costumes, have their face painted (or do it themselves!), garden, do carpentry with real tools, bake and cook, build sandcastles, swing, slide, dance, spend time in nature and get messy.

The activities change every day. Playcentre parents all bring different skills, interests, and cultural backgrounds to add to the rich learning environment.

We welcome families with children aged 0 – 6 years. Mixed age play allows your children to engage with others older and younger than themselves. Pre-schoolers learn how to communicate, share and negotiate with empathy for their younger peers.

At Playcentre, families come together and lifelong friendships are formed.

We welcome you to visit any time during the year. You are entitled to three free visits so come and check out what we do – we would love to meet you and your family!

Nau mai, haere mai and welcome to Peria Playcentre

Playcentre is unlike any other early childhood education organisation. At Playcentre, both children and their parents / caregivers attend.

At Playcentre children get the opportunity to learn and explore in a fun and safe environment.

The curiosity and creativity of our tamariki is nurtured in a way that allows them to learn about themselves and their world.

Your child will be given a chance to explore, create, climb, read, sing, experiment, play music, wear costumes, have their face painted (or do it themselves!), garden, do carpentry with real tools, bake and cook, build sandcastles, swing, slide, dance, spend time in nature and get messy.

The activities change every day. Playcentre parents all bring different skills, interests, and cultural backgrounds to add to the rich learning environment.

We welcome families with children aged 0 – 6 years. Mixed age play allows your children to engage with others older and younger than themselves. Pre-schoolers learn how to communicate, share and negotiate with empathy for their younger peers.

At Playcentre, families come together and lifelong friendships are formed.

We welcome you to visit any time during the year. You are entitled to three free visits so come and check out what we do – we would love to meet you and your family!

There is nothing more important than making sure that your child receives a quality education right from the start. Choosing the right childcare centre is absolutely critical to your children's development.

At Three Little Birds Childcare & Education Centre in Kaitaia, we believe in the importance of cultivating a socio-cultural philosophy and ensure that the children's needs are at the centre of everything we do.

We provide a safe, healthy, caring, stimulating and culturally-rich environment where children have the opportunity to grow and develop to their fullest potential.

Nga mihi nui kia koutou katoa.He tino nui kei konei

Ko te whanau tangata.

Nau mai haere mai, Dobro dosli,

‍Welcome to our fabulous community of learners at Anne West kindergarten. The tamariki and whanau of Muriwhenua have been a part of this kindergarten for over 65 years. We have a proud, rich history of providing quality early childhood education for this community and we celebrate this opportunity to share this with you.

We are a three teacher kindergarten, and operate a school day model with 6 hour sessions Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 2.30pm.

Our kindergarten has a strong commitment to sustainable living practices and a wonderful spacious outdoor environment for active learning. The heart of our curriculum is building relationships and identities that will grow rich resourceful people. Based on Te Whaariki and our bi-cultural society of Aotearoa New Zealand, we believe it is important to promote the qualities and dispositions of: empathy, integrity, respect, tolerance, courage and resilience which are all relevant for sustainable life in the 21st century.

In 2015 Anne West Kindergarten became an Enviroschools kindergarten and we joined a nation-wide group of schools and early childhood centres who are all committed to a kaupapa of creating a healthy, peaceful, sustainable world.  To us this means living in a country where people work with positive energy to connect with each other, their cultural identity and their land, and to create a healthier, peaceful, more equitable society.

Anne West Kindergarten has achieved Enviroschools Bronze.

We welcome your participation.

Here at Mission Place Kindergarten kindness, respect and caring (manaakitanga) underpin everything we do.

We provide a safe, nurturing and fun environment which enables children to develop the interests, knowledge and skills required to become capable, confident and competent life-long learners.

We honour Te Tiriti O Waitangi, respecting Maori as tangata whenua reflecting this partnership in our daily interactions with people, places and things. We prioritise the importance of all children to feel secure in their cultural identity. We believe positive, meaningful relationships with whanau and community (whanaungatanga) are central to enriching children’s holistic well-being and development.

We work to provide an environment that embraces diversity while promoting curiosity, exploration, communication and deeper thinking. We acknowledge Papatūānuku as being essential to developing children’s understanding of their role in caring for our planet while inspiring learning and leadership.

Our teachers reflect deeply on their practice, collaborating their knowledge and participating in regular learning opportunities through professional development.