Our Philosophy

Tai o Fenua Kindergarten is a place where everyone is welcome, and where Pacific languages, culture and identity are nurtured and celebrated.

We recognise both the connectedness of our Pacific cultures as well as the diverse and unique ways of being specific to each culture.

Our teaching team comes from a diverse mix of Pacific cultures which helps to create a sense of belonging and identity for Pacific children and their families.

We value our whakapapa/geneological links with Maori. Through our curriculum, and collaborative relationships with iwi, we honour the founding treaty of our country.

We are responsive to the cultural needs of our children and families, and employ local language and cultural experts where required.

Our kindergarten philosophy is grounded upon the values of family, love, and working together.

Family

Family is at the centre of our kindergarten and our kindergarten culture. Every child belongs to a family, aiga and kainga, and every family belongs to a child. This brings identity and belonging.

Through regular talanoa, community events, and celebrating children’s learning with families, we build authentic relationships with families that foster a sense of collectiveness, interdependence and mutual respect.

Love

Tai o Fenua Kindergarten promotes love/ofa for ourselves, love/ofa for our environment, and love/ofa for each other. Teachers utilise a wide range of strategies to promote children’s social and emotional competencies. We have a strong focus on education for sustainability, and embedding these practices in our kindergarten culture.

Teachers are guided by family spiritual values and beliefs. We incorporate lotu/prayer/karakia and understandings of tapu into our everyday rituals. Teachers make the most of teachable moments to encourage dispositions of gratitude and kindness. Children’s ancestral connections are honoured.

Working together

Team work, consultation and cooperation will be features of how we work together as a community towards our shared aspirations. We enjoy collaborative relationships with our local schools and agencies, and seek opportunities to be of service to our wider community. We engage in critical reflection in order to identify barriers to participation for our families and work towards strengths based solutions.