Our Approach
Our Centre programme is child-initiated. Our programme is flexible, catering for children’s individual needs, strengths and interests. Individual programmes are developed through ongoing observations and assessment. Staff scaffold and facilitate children’s development through play.
Our Centre programme is based on the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum, Te Whāriki. This curriculum is founded on the following aspiration for children:
To grow up as competent and confident learners and communicators, healthy in mind, body and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging and in the knowledge that they make a valued contribution to society.
Te Whāriki — Four Principles
Whakamana
Children will be empowered to learn and grow.
Kotahitanga
Children learn and grow in a holistic way. Their intellectual, social, cultural, physical, emotional and spiritual learning is interwoven across all their experiences.
Whānau Tangata
A child's whānau and community are recognised as part of the learning experience.
Ngā Hononga
Children learn through positive relationships with people, places and things.
Children's Profile Books
Children each have a profile book containing information collected about your child during their time at our Centre. This is a celebration of your child’s holistic achievements.
Profile books may contain:
- Learning stories — observations written as a story about your child’s interests and learning as it happens
- Artwork collected during your child’s time at the Centre
- Photos showing your child’s work or interests
Storypark
As well as paper-based profile books, we also use Storypark. Storypark provides each child with an online community which you (their parent/guardian) own and control, for as long as you wish.
You can choose to add your own stories or leave comments and feedback for children and our teaching team. You can also choose to share these stories with family members. We hope that you will invite your extended whānau so that the children have an authentic audience who are genuinely interested in their learning.
Storypark takes security very seriously. It is not open for anyone to read — it is a password-protected private space for you, your child’s teachers and the family members you choose to invite. No personal information is shared with any third party.