Tui Room Philosophy
In our Tūī room, we are guided by He Māpuna te Tamaiti and Te Whāriki. We provide a warm, respectful, and loving environment where pēpi and tamariki feel safe, valued, and empowered to grow.
Communication — We listen and respond to our tamariki with kindness, using words, waiata, gestures, and cuddles. This helps them feel understood and builds strong, trusting relationships.
Contribution — Every child has something special to offer. We encourage participation, celebrate each child’s uniqueness, and support them to feel accepted and valued.
Exploration — We create safe and stimulating spaces where tamariki can move, play, and discover the world around them, developing confidence and curiosity.
Wellbeing — We care for the whole child — their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Consistent routines, gentle care, and emotional safety help tamariki build a strong sense of self.
Belonging — We honour each child’s whakapapa, culture, and family connections. By working in partnership with whānau, we strengthen a sense of belonging and identity.
Together with our Room Treaty — Be kind, be gentle, be helpful — we nurture a community where tamariki can flourish.
“To live, to love, to learn and to leave a legacy”
Kea Room Philosophy
Our main goals and aspirations are to:
Nurture social and emotional growth so that tamariki can share their environment with others, regulate big emotions, and build resilience to cope with challenges.
Build authentic, reciprocal relationships with peers, kaiako, and whānau, creating joyful opportunities for learning and playing together.
Encourage curiosity and creativity by exploring the wonder of loose parts, sensory play, as well as engaging in open-ended play and play pretend.
Support holistic well-being (Kotahitanga) by fostering growth in the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual areas of each child’s development.
Empower tamariki to follow their interests, extending their learning through a wide variety of opportunities and experiences.
Strengthen independence and self-help skills, encouraging children to become confident in managing their bodies, making choices, and embracing challenges.
Embrace bicultural and inclusive practice, creating a meaningful environment where tamariki build a strong sense of identity and belonging through connections, relationships, and respect for diverse cultures.
And overall, to learn, to live, to love, and to leave a legacy.
Pūkeko Room Philosophy
Empowerment-we see every tamaiti as competent, confident, and full of potential. We empower tamariki to be active participants in their own learning by offering choices, encouraging their voice, and nurturing a strong sense of self-worth and agency. Kaiako support each child’s unique journey, promoting autonomy and celebrating their strengths. Equity is at the heart of our approach – we respond to the diverse needs of our learners to ensure every tamaiti has the opportunity to thrive.
Play-based Learning-play is the foundation of learning in the Pūkeko Room. Through rich, open-ended experiences, tamariki explore, create, and make sense of their world. Our learning environment – carefully designed as a third kaiako – is dynamic, inclusive, and inspiring, offering space for discovery both indoors and outdoors. Kaiako walk alongside tamariki in play, extending ideas, scaffolding learning, and co-constructing knowledge through shared inquiry.
Social-Emotional Development-at the heart of our teaching is the emotional wellbeing of every tamaiti. We create a calm, responsive space where tamariki feel safe to express themselves and build resilience. Through co-regulation and connection, kaiako guide children in understanding and managing emotions. We nurture empathy (aroha), perseverance (manawanui), and strong social bonds (whanaungatanga) in everyday interactions.
Relationships-learning happens in the context of strong, respectful relationships. We value whānau as partners in learning and work to build deep connections based on trust, communication, and shared aspirations. We honour each child’s culture, language, and identity, weaving te reo Māori and tikanga into everyday life. Our kaiako are reflective, intentional, and deeply committed to fostering belonging – within the Pūkeko Room, within the wider centre, and within the hearts of our tamariki.
“To live, to love, to learn, to leave a legacy”