About us

Our vision is to create an environment where children grow up as competent and confident learners and communicators, healthy in mind, body and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging and in knowledge that they make a valued contribution to society.

Who are we?

Nga Tamariki is a parent-cooperative. This means parents have direct input into their child's education, in how the centre is governed and in the daily operation of the centre. Parents enjoy working alongside the teaching team to ensure that the children get the best educational and environmental experience that we can offer.

At Nga Tamariki we believe in:

Providing exciting, holistic learning
Empowering children to develop skills for life
Creating an environment in which children's interests and development will be encouraged and supported
Providing a nurturing environment that ensures quality care and education
Upholding the heritage of Aotearoa, inclusive of all cultures
Respecting the Treaty of Waitangi through the provision of resources, Tikanga and Te Reo

If you want to read our ERO report in full go to resources and click on the link.

Our Philosophy

Our philosophy image shows what we believe in. The roots of the flax show how the collaboration and support of each other promotes healthy, positive learning experiences for the children in our centre environment.

Programme Planning

At Nga Tamariki we provide a programme which empowers young children to self-direct their own learning. This is seen through children having time and space to explore their interests, develop problem solving skills and being able to express themselves as individuals. Teachers support children’s interest by taking the time to talk to them about their ideas and listen to what they are telling us.

Children become the planners and teachers become the learners. Teachers follow the children’s lead and provide support, resources, conversation and celebration following their interest and journey they take us on.

“Teachers are aware of the variety of ways children express and explore their growing and understandings of the world, and use a range of strategies to futher promote their learning. Educators build children's confidence to explore and perserve with challenge."

ERO Report February 2014

Infant and Toddler Care

The teachers provide respectful practices for all infants and toddlers; Build positive relationships with children and provided high quality care. Teachers respect infants and toddlers as individuals and ensure their needs are always met. They are provided with unhurried time and space to develop at their own pace.

“Babies and toddlers are well nurtured in a calm, peaceful environment. Teachers are highly attuned to infant’s needs. They engage in responsive interactions and adapt to the rhythms of each individual”

ERO report February 2014

Orientation and Settling Procedures

We ask that you and your child visit the centre prior to attending to begin their settling process. We encourage every child to have a minimum of three settling visits. Each child will have a kaiarahi (contact teacher) who with and alongside them while transitioning into the centre. The kaiarahi will have detailed discussions with the family on your child's development, interests, behaviour, sleeping and eating requirements.

Parents are encouraged to stay with their child for the first visit, to settle the child into the centre and to demonstrate that they feel happy and comfortable with their child's new environment. Children are welcome to bring their own cuddly or special toy from home to help with the settling in period.

More detailed information is available in our prospectus, if you would like a copy of this prosepctus please get in touch with us through our Contact Us page.

All the meals at the centre are provided everyday.

Nga Tamariki has a gold healthy heart award, providing healthy and nutritious meals. Check out our menu below.

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Fish cakes Coleslaw	Mince Chow Mein	Roast chicken Pumpkin Broccoli	Italian Pasta hotpot	Mince and Lentil pie
Homemade beef hamburgers	One pot tuna with peas Corn on the cob	Savoury mince Potato Peas Carrots	Chicken and vegetable lasagne	Pumpkin Soup Toast/ garlic bread
Sweet and sour pork balls Rice Fresh veges	Salmon and rice with cheese sauce Vegetables	Chop Suey With Vegetables	Country chicken Casserole	Pasta bake with mince and veggies
Tuna and vegetable pie	Roast Chicken, Potato, kumara Cauliflower	Chicken and vegetable risotto	Quesadillas (beans and cheese) Coleslaw	Vegetarian pizza with cheese. Homemade potato wedges.

Fresh vegetables change according to seasonal availability and can include:

broccoli zucchini carrot kumara cabbage

cauliflower pumpkin tomato silver beet egg plant

capsicum potato parsnip mushroom corn

Morning & Afternoon Tea consists of the following:

Crackers

Sandwiches

Fruit and raw vegetables

Home baking

Yoghurt

Water is freely available throughout the day for over two children and is offered regularly to under two children, water is also provided with each meal. Milk is offered at morning tea and afternoon tea.