The team – Our longstanding experienced teaching team is well respected and valued within the local community. Our team is regularly complimented on the way we work so cohesively together and go above and beyond for those in our learning community.

The heart of all we do – Relationships, diversity and inclusiveness are at the heart of all we do.  We celebrate and incorporate the different cultures of our tamariki as well as invite our extended whānau to contribute to our programme. We believe each child’s learning journey is special and unique.

Te Ao Māori – We acknowledge Māori as tangata whenua of Aotearoa New Zealand and reflect this in our practice, programme and continuing professional development.

Mixed age setting -We have many siblings who attend kindergarten together and our families often recommend us amongst their friends. We believe a mixed age setting provides a strong sense of belonging and also provides unique leadership opportunities for our children within our programme. Our families appreciate the 20 hours ECE funding from the age of 2 and acknowledge the depth of relationships formed, when their children attend Highland Park Kindergarten for potentially up to three years.  We have regularly been acknowledged for the work we do with two year olds and how we successfully integrate them into a high functioning mixed age setting.

The curriculum – Our programme is designed to cater for children aged between 2 and 6 years old.  We the teaching team are passionate about honouring the mana of all children.  We provide a large, green, spacious environment that inspires, excites and promotes children’s learning. We have longstanding connections to our local community and have a weekly dance session taken by a professional dance teacher as well as monthly visits from the mobile library bus to support our literacy programme.  In fact, many of our children go on to pursue dance outside of kindergarten due to their enjoyment of our dance programme.  We also regularly have visits from a local Chinese dance group, Hands on Creatures, The Bee Lady, a Matariki drama specialist as well as incorporating and involving the expertise of our tamariki’s extended whānau in our programme. Our children are empowered to take the lead, investigate and research their ideas, in partnership with teachers, whānau and the community.

A culture of kindness and compliments – We believe kindness is magic.

“Probably the most important learning your children will do .. will concern character, compassion, kindness, diligence, sacrifice and responsibility.”  Debbie Strayer

School readiness – From the moment your child starts kindergarten we are preparing them for school.  Children are supported as individuals to become school ready throughout this complex journey. We have strong relationships with many local schools.

We’d love to show you all we have to offer your child – contact us today to book a visit.