Our Curriculum

Our curriculum design is based on Te Whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa – Early childhood curriculum, underpinned by our Christian biblical beliefs.

We recognise that all children are individuals and therefore develop and respond to learning situations in different ways and at their own pace. It is important to nurture and build on each child’s individual abilities and interests to maximise their full developmental learning potential.

“Kaiako have an important role in encouraging and supporting all children to participate in and contribute to a wide range of enriching experiences. These expand the children’s competence and confidence and, over time, enable them to direct their own lives.” [The environment is empowering, with children being able to] “create and act on their own ideas”, [and develop knowledge and skills]. “Play and playfulness are valued and kaiako-initiated experiences are inviting and enjoyable” (Te Whāriki, 2017, p18).

Taking cues from the children and developing the programme around them and their interests allow us to provide an inclusive and emergent curriculum.
 

How we do this 
 

Objective:

1. To provide a programme appropriate to each child’s development, where he/she can grow holistically (i.e. physically, emotionally, intellectually, socially, spiritually) in a loving and caring atmosphere.
2. To implement policies, practices and objectives that incorporate the principle of partnership inherent in the Treaty of Waitangi.
3. To provide a rich and varied environment that encourages discovery and gives all children the opportunity to explore and practise their developing skills in meaningful social and solitary play.
4. To actively encourage small and large group participation in learning and socialising, and to promote independence in self-help skills.
5. To extend children’s thinking and reasoning, and to promote peaceable problem solving.
6. To focus on a child’s individual strengths and abilities.
7. To encourage input from the parents/whānau into collaborative planning with staff for their child’s development, and to ensure they know their influence in the programme is a valued part of their child’s learning.

Procedure:

1. Learning is promoted as a fun, enjoyable experience where children are encouraged to improve on their own personal best.
2. We employ experienced, qualified and caring staff who support the child’s learning and development in a positive, encouraging way.
3. The programme is varied and incorporates the child, family/whānau, community interests and ideas in a way that promotes enthusiasm to learn.
4. A good variety of resources are available to scaffold these interests and ideas.
5. Communication between staff, parents/whānau and children is valued, and their input is vital to the development and implementation of the programme.
6. We have a balance between structured (intentional teaching) and free play, giving children opportunities to make choices and decisions promoting independence.

7. We also ensure that they understand and appreciate the value of routines and acceptable behaviour.
8. Observing and assessing the child’s abilities and interests is a major factor in the programme planning.
9. We will purchase a variety of resources that support the centre’s diverse cultures.
10. We provide inclusive and equal learning opportunities.
11. We will display/communicate the daily activities and topic/learning objectives with parents/whānau to provide opportunity for them to discuss these at home.
12. Parents will be given an opportunity to provide written feedback in their child’s portfolio on a ‘Parent Comment’ form.