Our Programme
Eden Cottage follows Te Whāriki (Te Ara Whānui) as the guide to our practice.
Our Programme
Our programme is based on the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum Te Whāriki.
In the development of our curriculum, we are guided by Te Whāriki which sets out the syllabus to be used in early childhood education (ECE) in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Te Ara Whānui means the broad, extensive path and is the curriculum suited to Eden Cottage within the Te Whāriki framework.
At Eden Cottage, we seek to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi so that our children experience and learn about te ao Māori and we encourage all people in Aotearoa to flourish.
We incorporate the principles of Partnership, Participation and Protection in our daily practice and our curriculum includes Māori traditional concepts, knowledge, skills, attitudes, practices, customs, values and beliefs.
The Values of Eden Cottage resonate with the Principles of Te Whāriki
Te Taha Whānau – Family and Community
- We acknowledge our whānau as the first teachers of their tamariki.
- We build respectful relationships with our tamariki, our whānau and our community.
- We embrace te tuakana-teina concept of living and learning.
- We help our tamariki to grow in positive social skills which encourages caring for others.
Te Taha Hinengaro – Emotional and Intellectual
- We empower our tamariki to initiate their own learning and play experiences.
- We empower tamariki to recognise their ability to problem-solve.
- We lay the foundation for positive love for literacy and numeracy.
- We foster the creative Habits of Mind through creative play experiences.
Te Taha Wairua – The Spiritual Dimension
- Through our Bible time and learning experiences, we create an environment where prayer and Christian values are alive.
- We acknowledge that each tamariki and their whānau are unique, valued and celebrated.
- We recognise, acknowledge, and develop the Fruit of the Spirit in each tamariki.
Te Taha Tinana – The Physical Dimension
- We acknowledge that self-care is important, and we equip our tamariki with skills to care for their bodies.
- We value and encourage physically active play experiences that challenge our tamariki.
- We support physical coordination through music and dancing.
Te Taha Whenua – Connection to Land and Identity
- Because we acknowledge God as the Creator of all of humanity and of all the natural world, we encourage all of us to be good stewards and to contribute to the flourishing of the land.
- We encourage each tamariki and their whānau to be connected to their whakapapa (the threads of their identity) and to their past, present and future.
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.