Milford Kindergarten is situated in a quiet street between two native forest reserves with a wonderful, natural environment that facilitates rich and integrated play-based learning.

Environmental focus – Located between the coast and two native Puriri Forests, we have a strong focus on nature, sustainable practices, and community. We’re part of the Enviroschool programme where we learn to care for Papatuanuku by, for example, recycling, gardening and sharing our harvest. Encouraging Rangatiratanga (leadership) and Maanakitanga (care and kindness) is also an important part of the Enviroschool programme for us.

Nurturing mana – Our environment provides the perfect place to nurture our children’s mana naturally. Our extensive natural environment is a great place for growing strength, coordination and balance. Mana is enhanced as tamariki gain mastery of their bodies, act as tuakana, learn to take turns and challenge themselves, and to celebrate their development and extend their skills.

Whanaungatanga – Relationships are at the heart of life at our kindergarten and are so important for each child’s learning journey. We work in partnership with our families who are actively involved in kindergarten life – from parent meetings, workshops, Storypark, portfolios, celebratory hui, school visits, trips and special events!

Community connections– Connecting with the community is an important part of our kindy experience. Milford Primary School tamariki, the Takapuna Children’s librarian, and grandparents are regular visitors We are closely involved in Pupuke Kahui Ako community of learners, working collaboratively with local schools.

Ready for school – We support children in developing skills for school and have a good relationship Milford, Campbells Bay, and Takapuna Primary schools. This helps our tamariki feel confident and excited about the next stage in their learning journey.

Holistic approach – We place a lot of importance on supporting children to develop their social and emotional skills – dispositions that they will continue to build on as they grow. While they are with us tamariki have opportunities to develop communication with others, make friends, share, develop resilience, express their feelings and more. These skills set tamariki up for life.

Healthy bodies, healthy minds – Milford Kindergarten promotes healthy lifestyles. We have achieved the Healthy Heart Pā-Harakeke award for the four times in a row. Tamariki learn that good nutrition and physical exercise, are important for physical, mental, and emotional health. We integrate learning, incorporating hauora (wellbeing), science, technology, mathematics, and literacy in real life learning activities that really appeal to children.

Learning through play – Our qualified and passionate team provide a quality learning programme to engage and inspire our tamariki. From water play to carpentry, arts and gardening, our tamariki enjoy a wide range of activities and experiences that support them to develop important skills and positive attitudes that will set them up for life. Our kids love to explore, to be creative, and to learn along the way in our welcoming environment, where they can belong and feel at home, included and nurtured. Children love our loose parts resources that encourage open ended learning. With loose parts anything is possible! Children indulge their imagination as they explore the materials and solve problems. This supports the development of communication, negotiation and social skills as they play together.

Specialist care – Our kaiako are trained in implementing the Incredible Years Teacher Programme which supports young children with self-regulation and their social, emotional and academic competence.

Inclusive learning – Each child is on their own learning journey and we pride ourselves on our ability to support each child and their individual needs. We undertake continual professional development and also work with outside agencies such as MoE to ensure that the best possible learning outcomes are achieved for each tamariki and their whaanau. We understand that trusting relationships with families, whaanau are key to these outcomes too.

Our younger children’s needs are valued and supported as they settle into kindy, acknowledging the greater care they need as they grow their belonging and confidence. Tuakana-teina relationships are valued and older tamariki are supported to learn how to care for their younger peers, showing manaakitanga.

We welcome children from 2 to 6 years old and offer 20hrs free Early Childhood Education for all ages. We are open from 8.45am to 2.45pm during school terms. We’re a language rich community and our staff languages include Te Reo Maori, Japanese, Romanian and English.

We ask interested families to come in and visit so they can get a sense of our kindergarten, and learn more about the work we do. If you believe that our kindergarten is a good fit for your child, we then recommend completing a waiting list form or taking an information folder home so you can complete the waiting list form either on-line or in person.

We welcome you to come and visit us on Tuesdays and Thursdays 9.30am until 11am – we’d love to show you all we have to offer.