Our Philosophy
Our learning programme is based on the NZ Early Childhood Curriculum, Te Wharki which empowers 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 Wharki (1996). Our philosophies outline our values and our goals, it supports our daily practices and provides a clear vision of our role in ensuring quality care. Our philosophies are reviewed regularly in collaboration with our families, our employees and the broader community.
Children
We believe:
- Children are entitled to quality education and services, and therefore we will endeavour to provide these by striving to achieve the best care at all times.
- Children belong first to a family, a cultural group, a neighbourhood and a wider community. Belonging acknowledges children’s interdependence with others and in forming positive relationships and a positive self worth.
- In recognising the significance of the here and now in children’s lives and encourage children to be who they are right now and not always focusing on who they can become in the future.
- Children’s identities, knowledge skills and relationships change rapidly and our environment will reflect how children become by being given opportunities to participate fully and actively in their environment.
- Children gain confidence and self esteem through social interactions where children establish meaningful relationships with each other and carers
- Each child is unique and their rights and choices are to be respected at all time
- A play based program that is constantly evaluated by knowledgeable carers for each child and presents meaningful development opportunities provides the best learning experience for children. (Children organise and make sense of their social worlds as they engage actively with people, objects and representations.)
- Children are active and capable learners and therefore we will implement an educational program that allows for flexibility, is meaningful and is based on each child’s interests
- Each child’s learning is a journey. We facilitate experiences that nurture their individual development and build valuable foundations for their future.
Parents
We believe:
- Parents are the first teachers of children and so we will embrace and encourage parent participation and involvement within our centres on a daily basis, as well as in our program development.
- The relationships between family and centre, families and carers and between families of peers are imperative for community strengthening and support, and we will create and promote opportunities for families and employees to come together on a social level.
- Relationships that are established between employees and parents are valuable and crucial to the education and well-being of children in our care, and we will endeavour to establish and maintain these relationships by utilising diverse means of communication.
- The early childhood centre is a focal point for continual education and support for parents as they undertake this important, life-long role, and will encourage parents to access information available to them.
Employees
We believe:
- It is employees who are the biggest asset within an early childhood centre, and we value, respect and appreciate what each member brings with them into our centres.
- In providing employees with guidance and on-going support to reach professional satisfaction and growth.
- All our employees should be highly involved in children’s learning and responding to children’s sense of being, belonging and becoming, encouraging children and families in decision making processes.
- Our employees will provide a variety of experiences and intentional teaching opportunities that are deliberate and purposeful to help engage children learning.
Community
We believe:
- Treaty of Waitangi and respect Maori as Tangata Whenua.
- In the diversity and multicultural nature of our community and we will reflect this diversity within our centres as an integral part of the program and daily experiences.
- Early childhood services as an essential and valuable part of the local community, and therefore will be active in serving the community with the provision of a quality service for families and businesses.
- Quality organisations responsible for the education of early childhood professionals play a fundamental role within the early childhood community, and we will support them in their endeavours to prepare students for their professional future.
Physical Environment
We believe:
- The environment plays an important role in the support and validation of a child’s learning, and we will endeavour to create and maintain an environment that is conducive to each child’s learning and comfort.
- It is between the formative years of birth to five that children are developing crucial life skills, and we will work to create an environment that promotes self-help skills, independence and an appreciation for materials.
- As children and employees spend a large time within our centres, we will endeavour to create the environment with comfort, safety and aesthetics taken into consideration at all times.
