Childcare options in Linden

Welcome to Kids Count! We’re a Kiwi-owned family of childcare centres established to ensure every child can reach their potential, no matter what their family circumstances. Education is critical to future happiness and success. It starts in the home and is supported by children attending a preschool centre. We understand that it’s not always easy to ensure your child is able to attend preschool, so we have made it as easy for you as possible.

To start with (at no cost to you), we will collect and drop off our tamariki every week day in our sign-written vans. Once children arrive at a Kids Count centre, we make sure they’re fed nutritious and fun meals and snacks throughout the day. That means everybody has a full puku to help them focus in their learning and you don’t need to be bothered with meals — including breakfast if you are running late.

We keep our fees as low as possible. All children over 3 are entitled to at least 20 hours of free care per week, and this includes access to all our services. When fees do apply, they are set according to the Work and Income Childcare Subsidy. We’re committed to working with families to ensure our centres are accessible to everyone and that issues of payment of fees do not compromise your child’s future. There is always a solution to this matter. Don’t be embarrassed or shy — you are not alone.

We also include transitions to school programs so that our tamariki can feel excited about their next steps after graduating and leaving our centres to attend the “big” school. These programs are applied individually to children based on their development so that they have the learning skills they need to be confident and competent learners at school. Lessons also include Kapa Haka and cultural events that celebrate our heritage and give kids a sense of belonging. As physical development and confidence is a key part of a child’s development, swimming lessons for children over 4 are offered by trained instructors in our centres with pools and attendance at community gym classes are funded for those children at our centres that don’t have a pool. (At no cost to whanau).

For parents, Kids Count offers community partnerships through our Family Liaison Services, which connects families with advocacy and support services, budgeting assistance, WINZ, Salvation Army and counselling to help overcome any barriers they face. We also run free parenting sessions and community groups. We know that by supporting parents, we’re helping our tamariki thrive. Parents are the foundation of a child’s journey, and we’d love to partner with you to help your little one grow.

Kids Count was founded in 2009 by Mary McLeod. She wanted to create a program that removed barriers so ALL CHILDREN could get a great start in life. Now with four centres and more in construction, Kids Count continues to expand the benefits of an early childhood education to all our children and their whanau.

Tawa Linden Playcentre is our home. Members are our whanau. Tawa Linden Playcentre is a multicultural, lovely, and friendly community which focuses on early childhood and families. 

Tawa Linden Playcentre parents and their tamariki aged between 0 and 5 run 4 sessions a week this term.

Parent teams guide and engage with small groups of children, join in their play, helping them make the most of the learning opportunities. Parents contribute different skills and experience while working alongside each other on session. 

Tawa Linden Playcentre is Very Well Placed in the 2017 ERO review. Please feel free to contact us at Tawa-Linden Playcentre to arrange a visit or to find out more info.

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.