Childcare options in Heretaunga

At Heretaunga Kindergarten we have a strong emphasis on empowering children as learners which assists with their transition times through life, particularly moving on to school. We strive for every child to believe in themselves and leave kindergarten as responsible citizens with a life-long love of learning.

At our place children are encouraged to be a confident, independent and motivated learners supported by qualified teachers, specialising in early childhood education and registered under the Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. We engage in ongoing professional learning, to keep abreast of current theory and practises so we can best support your child’s learning.

We have been a part of the Enviro-Schools programme since 2010 and hold a Silver award.  The programme encourages children to think and act in sustainable ways and to foster environmental sustainability within the local community.

Three values underpin everything we do at Heretaunga Kindergarten; for all children to be safe and keep each other safe, to be responsible for themselves, their belongings and the world around them and to be respectful of each other and the environment.

At Heretaunga Kindergarten we value developing strong respectful relationships with all tamariki, whānau and the wider community.

Tamariki are supported to become confident learners by kaiako who respond to each individual child’s wairua and diverse way of being.

Tamariki will experience a caring and fun environment that is equitable for all and where everyone’s contribution is valued.

We teach tamariki the importance of Manaaki Whenua in which we care for the environment, all living creatures and each other.

Our Philosophy promotes Te Ao Māori

• Whanaungatanga/extended relationships
• Ako/teaching & learning, interests of tamariki
• Manaakitanga/welcoming, kindness, care and respect
• Mana/pride and sense of belonging
• Manaaki whenua/ sustainability and care of the environment,
• Wairua / spiritual, emotional, physical and intellectual well-being of the individual

OUR VISION & PHILOSOPHY

Heretaunga Early childhood education

Centre and Childcare is where children receive high quality learning experiences, where teachers, children and parents learn alongside each other in nurturing the leaders of tomorrow.

AT HERETAUNGA PARK, WE:

• Are committed to quality care and education
• Recognise children as individuals with different needs
• Provide a programme that is rich in content and diversity that encourages quality interactions
• Have created a learning environment that is challenging, stimulating and safe for all
• Promote collaborative and reciprocal relationships with children, staff and family/whanau
• Acknowledge the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi / The Treaty of Waitangi

WE HAVE CREATED A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT IS CHALLENGING, STIMULATING AND SAFE FOR ALL

We provide children with opportunities to make their own decisions in relation to their learning. This is encouraged through our programme that offers choices and opportunities for children to discover their own working theories whilst teachers provide positive encouragement and reinforcement.

WE PROMOTE COLLABORATIVE AND RECIPOCAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH CHILDREN, STAFF AND FAMILY/WHANAU

We encourage collaborative and reciprocal relationships with family/whānau and respect that each person’s ideas and opinions are unique and worthwhile. Their contribution to our centre provides us with a valuable insight into their child’s world and what is important to their family.

WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE IMPORTANCE OF TE TIRITI O WAITINGI / THE TREATY OF WAITANGI

We acknowledge the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/ The Treaty of Waitangi and strive to up hold its principles, ensuring equity for our New Zealand culture. Respect for biculturalism and multiculturalism is paramount at our centre and we ensure the beliefs and values of our children, families and staff are celebrated.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO QUALITY CARE AND EDUCATION

Our vision is that we are nurturing the leaders of tomorrow. We believe our staff, parents and whānau share this vision, and that the present and future children of Heretaunga Park will have a positive education experience to prepare for a bright future.

WE RECOGNISE CHILDREN AS INDIVIDUALS WITH DIFFERENT NEEDS

Every child and their family, irrespective of disability or impairment, culture, race, age or gender deserve and have a right to an education and to be treated with respect and dignity. To achieve this, our team provides exceptional care and teaching through working with the child, family and specialist services as required.

WE PROVIDE A PROGRAMME THAT IS RICH IN CONTENT AND DIVERSITY THAT ENCOURAGES QUALITY INTERACTIONS

We believe that each child is an individual and therefore nurture their strengths and interests through daily activities. Mat, group, music and movement provide chances for children to express their ideas and feelings. We have a proactive approach to the children’s transition to school and a programme that provides the child with high self-esteem, improved-direction and motivation. We acknowledge that each child is a lifelong learner and endeavour to provide each one with meaningful learning experiences every day. We provide a rich, purposeful, stimulating and fun environment with respectful, caring and responsive teachers.

At Children First we aim to provide quality care and education for the children and families in our community.  We want whãnau to be an integral part of our centre.

Our centre provides a challenging environment where children can explore, enquire, and play under the supervision of our caring, professional and dedicated team of teachers.  The Centre offers two dedicated zones for infant and toddlers and our preschool children providing a wide and varied range of learning experiences.  To fuel each action packed day we provide home cooked meals and snacks to our children.

Infants and Toddlers

We have a separate infants and toddlers centre with spacious self-contained play room, outdoor spaces, sleep-room and kitchenette. A dedicated inside and outside space just for the Infants and Toddlers to grow and learn in.  The devoted teaching team have created a fantastic, challenging environment with many different areas for the children to explore, question, experiment and learn.  There are lots of opportunities for the children to develop and practice their interests and strengths which will prepare them for preschool and their long-term learning endeavours.

Preschool

The teaching team have the children’s best interests at heart and so have created an environment in which the children can explore at their own pace and in their own time.  This empowers them to be able to set themselves goals or answer the questions they hold about the world around them. 

Here at Children First Preschool the teaching team have the children’s best interests at heart and so have created an environment in which the children can explore at their own pace and in their own time.  This empowers them to be able to set themselves goals or answer the questions they hold about the world around them, by exploring learning opportunities that interest them and develop on the knowledge they already hold.  There is a challenging outdoor area, music room, art zone and quiet space on offer at the centre.  These spaces cater for children’s different strengths and interests and our teaching team endeavour to provide an environment that promotes thinking, self-regulation, questioning and experimenting.   Our curriculum and programme supports our children to be prepared and ready for school when the time comes.