Childcare options in Whatawhata

We are a privately owned and operated childcare centre catering for children aged 3 months to 5 years, located in the heart of Whatawhata village.

Open from 7.30am to 5.30pm, we have two learning rooms, Anuhe, where children learn and explore until 2 years of age, and Purerehua, where they blossom and grow until they leave for school. We believe that children are unique individuals, therefore our environment, daily programme, and curriculum have been designed to allow children to explore, discover, create and learn at their own pace.

In the Anuhe room our curriculum is inspired by the work of Magda Gerber and Emmi Pikler, which has led to us implementing a freedom of movement programme alongside a primary caregiving approach where each child is allocated a key teacher who is primarily responsible for their needs. Above all we advocate total respect for each child.

In the Purerehua room, we encourage children to become active explorers of their environment; to question and wonder about the world, to make discoveries and to set their own goals.  We also believe in families choosing what’s best for them, so we have no minimum enrolment times, allowing you to choose the days and hours which suit your family.

We are conveniently located in Whatawhata to suit many families; only 6 minutes from Te Kowhai, 10 minutes from Ngahinapouri and Horotiu, and 8 minutes from Dinsdale as well as being just off the main route from Raglan to Hamilton.   

Te Kōhanga Reo o Whatawhata is a centre-based kōhanga reo located in Whatawhata and provides for up to 23 tamariki. Book a visit today to connect with our kōhanga reo and to learn more about the options for your whanau.

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.