Our Programme

Our programme is based on the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum Te Whāriki.

Child Care

Our Programme

Our programme is based on the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum Te Whāriki.

Child

Our programme is based on both the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum Te Whāriki, and our Biblical framework which empowers tamariki to construct learner identities that support lifelong learning.

As teachers we notice, recognise, and respond to each child’s individual needs and provide experiences designed to extend their learning and development.

These learning experiences are provided through free-play alongside planned learned experiences enabling tamariki to grow in confidence to explore and learn in a secure and safe, yet challenging, indoor and outdoor space.

We are grounded on Christian principles including:

  • Aroha (compassion, faith-led, love)
  • Whanaungatanga (authentic relationships, collaboration)
  • Manaakitanga (holistic care)
  • Mana (dignity, justice)
Children learning through play

Nurturing healthy

growth.

Children Playing outside

Encouraging individual

development.

Children learning through play

Nurturing healthy growth.

Children Playing outside

Encouraging individual development.

Nurturing children

Transition to school

programme.

Child in the garden

Kaitiakitanga;

Sustainability.

Nurturing children

Transition to school programme.

Child in the garden

Kaitiakitanga; Sustainability.

Nurturing healthy growth

We believe strong teamwork between management, educators and whānau is imperative to the development of a positive, nurturing, safe, and fun curriculum and environment for our tamariki. We are committed to seeking input and ideas, including from the tamariki themselves.

While they are at Eden Cottage, tamariki are encouraged to participate in a play-based nurturing educational environment that is founded on Christian principles.

Encouraging individual development

Eden Cottage is inspired by the highly regarded Reggio Emilia philosophy of learning which encourages tamariki in their interests and learning preferences.

All Eden Cottage tamariki are given the opportunity to refine social skills, build healthy self-esteem, and participate in academic experiences full of sensory integration allowing for optimal brain development.

This is achieved by implementing Te Whaariki – the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum and our long-term goals.

Transition to school programme

The Transition to School programme allows tamariki to develop the necessary skills and learning required to prepare them for a successful graduation to primary school. They learn self-help skills, letter recognition, and writing their names. This takes place in the mornings and involves games, songs and rhymes. We also go on regular excursions, including to our local Konini Primary school, library, shops, and parks, to get used to new environments.

Kaitiakitanga: Sustainability

Our sustainability programme helps our tamariki to grow a sense of responsibility for the environment, leading them to becoming kaitiakitanga (environmental guardians). The role of our tamariki in this includes monitoring the worm farm, feeding the worms and adding bedding, watering and weeding the flower beds, and planting new flowers when needed.

We welcome whānau involvement

At Eden Cottage we offer a range of cultural events throughout the year which we encourage the whānau of our tamariki to come together and participate in. We share stories, songs, activities, food and build upon the relationship with each other.

We offer whānau courses and training in parenting and other topics and hold a once a term Whānau Forum to seek input into decision-making.

We welcome any input and feedback from you and your child on their Individual Learning Plan.

We use Storypark, an online portfolio to which you receive a login and password. This will enable us to communicate your child’s learning with you. We also welcome your photos, record of your child’s art, and other examples of their learning.