The lighthouse is a symbol of safety and security, it provides a safe place in the heart of a storm. We want to be that warm, safe and caring place, where all tamariki (children) and their whānau (families) feel accepted, loved and encouraged to develop to their fullest potential.

 

We honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi as the founding document of Aotearoa and recognise Māori as tangata whenua—the first to stand watch on the shores of this land, guiding others safely with mana, mātauranga, and manaakitanga. This legacy inspires us to build a learning environment where te ao Māori is visible, respected, and interwoven throughout our practice.

 

Ngā Hononga (relationships) are at the core of what we do. These strong, attuned relationships support tamariki ot develop resilience and a sense of security. This deep sense of belonging that comes from trusting relationships encourages tamariki to investigate, explore, and take confident risks in their learning.

 

We believe that parents are the first teachers. We want to nurture genuine, reciprocal relationships with whānau through communication, positivity, and shared aspirations for their tamaiti (child). Our open door policy invites whānau to contribute their derams, cultural knowledge and values to enrich our collective learning community.

 

We understand that each child is unique, so with no one size fits all program, we aim to provide an environment that allows each child to develop at their own pace. We want to prepare tamariki for life – not just school. Our goal is to help them develop foundational learning skills that will help them become curious, capable and confident lifelong learners.

 

As a community we have chosen to follow Te Ara Whānui pathway and use Te Whāriki (The New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum) as our guiding framework. It supports our vision through it’s principles, strands, goals and learning outcomes – many of which are grounded in Māori perspectives on development, wellbeing, and learning.

 

We live in a bicultural country founded on Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and we celebrate the multicultural richness of our local community within that context. We are commited to promoting Te Reo Māori and Tikanga Māori authentically in our daily practices by making them meaningful and affirming for all tamariki from all cultural backgrounds.

​

​​

​

 

Manaakitanga (Care and respect): We believe in the importance of showing kindness, generosity, and care to all. We want to ensure that everyone (tamariki, whānau, kaiako, and visitors ) feels valued, respected, and supported. It’s about welcoming others with open arms and creating a warm, inclusive environment. By practicing Manaakitanga, we teach our tamariki the importance of empathy and caring for the wellbeing of others through small, meaningful acts of hospitality and respect.

 

Whanaungatanga (Relationships and community) : We are committed to fostering deep, supportive relationships within our centre and the wider community. It’s about our shared responsibility toward each other’s wellbeing and building a sense of unity where everyone feels like part of an extended family. By nurturing these relationships, we help ensure that tamariki and whānau feel a true sense of belonging, trust, and collaboration in our learning community.

 

Whakamana (Empowerment and independence): We want to recognize and affirm the potential in every child, ensuring they feel confident, capable, and valued. We want to create an environment where tamariki are encouraged to explore, make decisions, and take risks, helping them grow in independence and self-esteem.

 

Ako (Teaching and learning together): We understand that learning is a shared experience, where both kaiako and tamariki learn from each other. Ako is important to us because it’s about mutual respect, recognising that teaching and learning are interconnected. At our centre, we foster an environment where kaiako, tamariki, and whānau engage in the learning process together, creating a collaborative atmosphere where everyone is a learner and a teacher.​

​​​​​​​​​​​