Pukekura

Parents comments

• “Pukekura Kindergarten has been such a positive experience for our little girl. She has loved it from the start, grown in confidence and generally blossomed here. It’s been wonderful to see. We are truly grateful she has had this opportunity to experience this warm and friendly environment.”
• “We just love the way the teachers at Pukekura Kindergarten respect our children and strive to bring the best out of our children.”
• “Pukekura Kindergarten offers our children a really positive and nurturing environment. The teachers are encouraging and very supportive and I have seen confidence and independence grow hugely in my children. A really great place for their early childhood education to begin.”
• “Pukekura Kindergarten ia a wonderful place for pre-schoolers to learn and play. Both of my children attended here and absolutely loved it. The kindergarten environment is very stimulating and the days activities are laid out in a very appealing way. The teachers are passionate and intuitive. They spend lots of one-on-one time with the children doing special activities. My children grew in confidence, ability and knowledge whilst at Pukekura. As a parent I have also enjoyed and benefited from the Pukekura Kindergarten Community.”
• We have found Pukekura kindergarten an innovative and fun place, every day there is a little bit of magic to inspire our daughter.  As parents we have found it a welcoming community, both by the teachers and by other parents.”
• “The teaching staff provides a highly professional and caring environment for her to develop and grow academically, personally and socially. The teachers care about each student and provide wonderful feedback both verbally and written so that parents and whanau are informed of their little one’s progress and achievements. The learning activities and experiences provided are always stimulating, interesting and engage the students. Our daughter particularly enjoys the weekly bush walks through Pukekura Park which are a unique part of the kindergarten programme. She couldn’t wait to be a ‘morning kindy kid’ so that Wednesday bush walk day was the highlight of the week. She has shown a great interest especially in drawing, painting and dancing which has been encouraged and fostered by the teachers.”

Children learn best in an environment where they feel safe, secure and valued. We provide an environment that supports their sense of belonging and well-being, while embracing individual strengths, aspirations, needs and interests. Te Whāriki is interwoven through all curriculum engagements where teachers are seen as co-researchers and learners.
All individuals are respected, valued and seen as leaders. Teachers aspire to provide quality learning engagements where children can explore and create. The kindergarten embraces the support of the Association and guidance given by management. Professional practice is paramount.
Teachers are passionate, innovative and enthusiastic and create an environment which upholds the bi-cultural heritage of New Zealand/Aotearoa, and the Principles of Te Tiriti O Waitangi. We also treasure the diversity of other cultures within our community and celebrate these. Respectful, collegial and collaborative relationships between all individuals support the child’s positive self-image and shapes their experiences as life-long learners.
The learning environment with its Reggio Emelia influences, combined with the children’s natural curiosity and interests will inspire and shape our curriculum. Teachers, children, and parents/whānau value and respect Papatūānuku –our land. We embrace Papatūānuku through our weekly bushwalks and care for our environment.

We nurture children’s learning by;

• Teachers document children’s learning in portfolio’s. These are written with passion and flare and awe present these professionally, to a high standard.
• Written documentation is meaningful and we utilise learning stories as a tool to enable parents/whanau to see their child’s progress.
• Planning documentation is visible and reflects and embraces the emergent curriculum
• Teachers ensure the session is respectful, calm and busy.