“Tangata ako ana I te kāenga, te tūranga kit e marae, tau ana”

 "A person nurtured in the community contributes strongly to society"

At Whenuakite Country Kids we provide an environment where tamariki, whānau and staff feel loved, secure and affirmed as individuals. The heart of our centre is built upon strong reciprocal relationships within our community. The very whenua that our centre is built upon was generously donated by our neighbours, for the benefit of our community. We have enormous gratitude for the many whānau and friends who have given their services to our centre over the years. We honour the wealth of knowledge and experience which everyone in our learning community brings to our centre.

Relationships and partnerships based on trust, respect and open communication are central to our provision of a safe and inclusive environment. We extend Manaakitanga to all and celebrate growth alongside tamariki on their learning journey. We acknowledge the dual heritage of Aotearoa, New Zealand and honour the spirit and intent of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, fostering an environment where tamariki experience the language, values and traditions of our bicultural heritage. Being welcoming and inclusive of the diversity within our centre and community is intrinsic to our practice. 

We believe it is important to uphold the Mana of each child. Tamariki are supported to develop a strong sense of belonging and are empowered to lead their own learning. We provide an environment where every child is nurtured to gain the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to strengthen their social and emotional competencies. Our Kaiako are passionate educators who enjoy working within an inclusive and creative, play-based curriculum.

Our centre is a place where the needs and interests of tamariki are met through responsive interactions and meaningful experiences. We highly value the lens through which tamariki view the world and provide time and space for tamariki to explore and generate their own working theories. We incorporate a range of natural and open-ended resources, sourced from our local community.

We aim to support and nurture the hauora of all tamariki, whānau and Kaiako in our centre. We acknowledge the holistic nature of each child’s learning journey and consider the Taha hinengaro /mental and emotional, Taha whānau /social, Taha Tinana /physical, Taha wairua /spiritual aspects to wellbeing. 

Our curriculum provides tamariki with regular opportunities to build an awareness of the environment and issues of sustainability. A respect for Papatūānuku is promoted with tamariki throughout all aspects of our practice. Our regular excursions into our natural environment encourages tamariki to nurture their hauora/well-being while also strengthening connections within our local community. 

We provide a rich, play based curriculum within a safe and encouraging environment.

We are a well resourced centre with strong connections to our environment, our local schools, and community groups. We provide a range of experiences to meet the physical, 

social and emotional needs of infants, toddlers and tamariki.

Our programme reflects the goals and strands of Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum.

We believe the wider world of whānau and community play an integral part in the curriculum.

We greatly value parent, whānau, and wider community contributions to our programme.

Whenuakite Country Kids is a not-for-profit, licensed and charitable Early Childhood Education Centre and an Incorporated Society run by a governance committee consisting of whānau and staff from the centre and local community members. Our amazing committee meet monthly and make decisions based on positive learning outcomes for tamariki. 

The Centre Manager oversees the operation of the centre and is the link between whānau, tamariki, staff, committee, Ministry of Education, other early childhood services, support services, local schools and the wider community. 

 Please feel free to talk to us about any queries or suggestions that you may have.

A whānau folder, with centre information, is available in our reception.