Taupaki Kindergarten

Kia ora and welcome to Taupaki Kindergarten

Perfectly positioned – Nestled between rural farmland and the primary school, we are lucky to have sheep, horses and other farm animals on one side of the fence and on the other our Taupaki Primary children. Children and siblings love connecting at the fence during lunchbreaks to catch up with old friends and teachers.

Learning is fun – We place great importance on making learning fun. This helps tamariki grow skills and confidence in a multitude of domains – independence, creativity, curiosity, etc. Everyday our children are offered variety so that every child can find their special place (or places) of interest. Children drive our programme by knowing that when they ask for resources to enhance their play, or sharing their knowledge and interests from home, they are supported by our teaching team.

Better together – Our Kindergarten has a wide spread of ages – from two year olds to those just turned five. This means younger children have role models to look up to and to rely on for assistance; and the older children get to practice being a capable leader which builds their sense of self-esteem. With the wide age range at our Kindergarten, siblings are able to spend time learning and playing together.

Sharing knowledge – We value parents sharing their expertise with us to enhance children’s learning. In the past we have had dentist talks, firefighter demonstrations, and bee-keeping experts – just to name a few.

A place to belong – Our kindy is a place where whānau make new friendships and enjoy connecting with each other at our Kindy events and celebrations as well as on a day-to-day basis. We regularly enjoy special events such as Matariki, discos, recipe swap nights or event planning discussions.

Committed and experienced – Our fully qualified teaching team have been at Taupaki Kindergarten for a minimum of five years (some for longer than ten years). This consistency and reliability is key to building strong relationships with our tamariki.

Our kindergarten is open 8.30am to 2.30pm and welcomes 2-5 year olds. We have spaces for thirty children in the morning. Ten of these are morning hours only (8.30am – 12.30pm) allowing younger children who aren’t ready for a full day to head home for a rest after a busy morning. In the afternoon we have a maximum of twenty children. This smaller number means we have cosy, tight-knit connections between children, teachers and families.

We have plenty of parking right outside the gate that we share with the school. With our start and finish times varied by half an hour, parking is not an issue and you can easily drop siblings off at both Kindy and School without having to rush.

We welcome you to come and visit us, we’d love to show you around our wonderful kindy.

WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING

As a primary school teacher, I understand how important quality early childhood education is. Therefore, in order to select the right place for my daughter, I visited and observed a range of different ECE settings. In the end, we chose Taupaki Kindergarten as it stood out to me as a place where my child will flourish. I loved that the philosophy and pedagogy espoused on the walls can actually be seen in action every day. I found the teachers to be welcoming, inclusive and most of all child-focused. I could see that they know their learners well, as individuals, and cater for the children's interests as much as possible, quietly and attentively scaffolding new learning with each interaction. The teachers have created a wonderful 'vibe' or culture in the kindy of calmness and care. It is a place where children are genuinely nurtured! I also love that Taupaki Kindy is well resourced and the children benefit not only from the wide variety of toys and equipment regularly changed, but also the learning experiences provided including: baking, cooking, face painting, dancing, poi, and even patting the resident guinea pigs and other visiting local pets (a well-trained labrador and a piglet to name a few!) . It is a place where children are positively engaged! I also love the sense of community fostered at Taupaki kindergarten. There are many opportunities to meet other families with the various events hosted, for example Mothers Day, Matariki concert and so on. But also, the kindergarten's close relationship with Taupaki School ensures that the children learn about their community in the physical sense but also provides exciting opportunities for Tuakana-Teina relationships. Communication and involvement with parents and whanau makes the kindy feel inviting and warm. It is a place where relationships are fostered! I know I made the right choice by choosing Taupaki Kindy. As someone who is passionate about Education and as a mother, I highly recommend this little haven for our kids!

Kim Taylor

FROM OUR ERO REPORT

Teachers celebrate children's strengths and interests in attractive displays.

Taupaki Kindergarten 2017 ERO Report
FROM OUR ERO REPORT

Strong partnerships with parents and whānau contribute to positive learning outcomes for children. Teachers actively foster family involvement through surveys, regular informal discussions and centre events.

Taupaki Kindergarten 2017 ERO Report
FROM OUR ERO REPORT

Children settle quickly and demonstrate a strong sense of belonging in the kindergarten.

Taupaki Kindergarten 2017 ERO Report