GLEN EDEN
GLENDALE ROAD (09) 818 9913 | MATAKI WAY (09) 218 6407
GLENDENE
BEAZLEY PLACE (09) 836 6495
ONEHUNGA
CHURCH STREET (09) 636 1395
OUR KIDS EARLY CHILDHOOD CURRICULUM POLICY
Te Whāriki is the Ministry of Education’s early childhood curriculum policy statement. Te Whāriki is a framework for providing tamariki/children’s early learning and development within a sociocultural context. It emphasises the learning partnership between kaiako/teachers, parents, and whānau /families. Kaiako/teachers weave a holistic curriculum in response to tamariki/children’s learning and development in the early childhood setting and the wider context of the child’s world. Learn more about Te Whāriki below, for a better idea of the principles and philosophies guiding the Our Kids curriculum. Feel free to contact us with any questions about our curriculum or click the button below to enroll today.
Te Whāriki holds an overall vision 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 Whariki & Our Kids Curriculum
Curriculum represents everything at Our Kids Early Learning Centres that impact children’s development, learning, and well-being. It covers activities and learning paths that children initiate themselves, daily rituals and routines, and other learning experiences planned by our teachers.
Our goal is to encourage a life-long love of learning, and we facilitate this through open-ended play. As children discover the magic in learning at this early age, they’re set up to cope with the diverse challenges of life. This includes the more immediate challenge of starting primary school.
We are guided by:
- Te Whāriki, New Zealand Ministry of Education’s early childhood curriculum policy statement.
- The principles of Pikler and RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers) Philosophies.
- The work of Pennie Brownlee and Kimberly Crisp, which is used as a tool to recognise patterns of repeated behaviour and to extend and develop children’s thinking.
- Holistic models of well-being and growth Te Whare Tapa Whā (M.
Durie), Te Wheke (R. Pete) which centres our interconnectedness
within the whakapapa of the natural world.
Our Kids teachers support early childhood education by working closely with each child, observing their play and responding to their needs and interests. We document their learning and development in the children’s portfolios.
Our Kids teachers support children’s learning by working closely with them, observing their play, and responding to their needs and interests. We document their learning and development in the children’s portfolios.
Parental Involvement
We value and help create bonds between children and their families/whānau. This partnership enables us to work together to support and extend each child’s learning. Parental presence and involvement in centre life are welcomed. Our early childhood teachers are always available to answer questions and discuss any issues.
Ultimately, parental involvement provides opportunities for parents to share family/whānau backgrounds, knowledge, skills, goals, expectations, interests, and abilities. We also encourage parents to become involved in the decision-making process around their children’s education and care.
We encourage parents to regularly check their child’s portfolio and discuss their learning with the child and/or their teachers. We also welcome parental input in the form of photos, highlights, thoughts, comments, and stories from their home, family, and community. A great way to enhance young children’s learning outcomes, by bridging the divide between Our Kids and your home, is with Storypark ePortfolios.