Our teaching practice is guided by Te Whāriki, the New Zealand early childhood curriculum. Our pedagogy is inspired by Bronfenbrenner, Vygotsky and RIE Approach.
Te Whāriki is founded on the following aspiration for children: to grow up as competent and confident learners and communicators, healthy in mind, body and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging and in the knowledge that they make a valued contribution to society.
Te Whāriki has four broad principles:
- Empowerment
Children are empowered to learn and grow. - Holistic development
Children learn and grow in a holistic way. Their intellectual, social, cultural, physical, emotional and spiritual learning is interwoven across all their experiences. - Family and community
A child’s family and community are integral parts of their learning experience. - Relationships
Children learn through positive relationships with people, places and things.
Te Whāriki’s four principles are interwoven with these five strands:
- Mana atua – wellbeing
- Mana tangata – contribution
- Mana whenua – belonging
- Mana reo – communication
- Mana aoturoa – exploration