Childcare options in Matata

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.

Matatā Early Learning Centre

Central Kids Matatā is conveniently located just inside the Matatā Public School gates on Pollen Street, Matatā.

We are a small mixed-age centre, which means that our tamariki are all in the same learning space. Our tamariki learn alongside and with each other in a child-led, play-based, well-resourced learning environment. Our centre prides itself in being a warm and inviting space where relationships and whakawhanaungatanga are the corner stones of our practice.

At Central Kids Matatā we are passionate about creating spaces that are well thought out, and enrich the learning experiences of our tamariki. We are a centre that is involved in Enviroschools, which is a programme that has been developed to support teachers to educate tamariki about our environment and through this we are working towards sustainability as a Centre.

We welcome you to visit us anytime.