| 551 Castle Street North – Te Pā Building | |
|---|---|
| Head Teacher | Neli Padgett |
| Phone | +64 3 742 2991 (Head teacher) |
| +64 3 742 2991 (Centre) | |
| Age range | 2–5 years |
| Hours | 8am–4pm |
Te Puna
A spring of fresh water, a spring of life
Nau mai haere mai!
Ngā mihi mahana ki a koutou katoa.
In Te Puna we have a play-based programme, with a balance of child initiated and intentional teaching experiences. Children learn what it is to grow up in Aotearoa and our programme is enriched by the country's Māori traditions. We also celebrate the many different cultures we have at Te Puna and embrace the diversity of family patterns.
These things are especially important to us:
- Children making decisions for themselves
- Making and maintaining friendships
- Being kind and helpful around other people
- Looking after the environment
- Being confident to express themselves in different ways and explore new things.
About 40 children attend Te Puna, spread between our two main playrooms and our outside playground. For most of the day children are free to choose where they play. That means 2, 3 and 4-year-olds are mixing throughout the day. For the younger children this is a chance to learn from the older ones; and it gives the older children opportunities to develop their caring and nurturing side. We have a ratio of 1:8 qualified teachers to children, and in parts of the day it is often better than this.
We have a well-established Bush programme. Once a week the twelve oldest children across all of Te Pā (Te Puna, Te Uru, and Te Pārekereke o te Kī) explore the wilds of Woodhaugh or the Botanic gardens together. It immerses them in the natural world and gives them the chance to deal with new and challenging situations.
Most of the children coming into Te Puna come from Te Maioha, our under-twos centre. For all children new to the centre we have a two week settling period, when they spend time here and get to know the place and the people. If children have not been in centre-based care before sometimes the settling period is longer than two weeks.
Te Puna philosophy
Te Puna embraces diversity, the strengths of individual tamariki and the importance of children’s autonomy. We provide a mana-enhancing environment where children’s worlds, interests, and understandings are freely explored and nurtured, without undue boundaries and limitations. This is facilitated by our collaborative and supportive kaiako, who put tamariki, whānau, and hapori at the heart of all we do. Honest and trusting relationships are formed and upheld, to ensure every child is seen, heard, and has the opportunity to fly.
Te Puna priorities for learning 2022-2025
Whānaukataka
Developing respectful relationships through shared experiences and working together. Whānaukataka recognises the rights and responsibilities which serve to strengthen the well-being of each member of the group.
Manaakitaka
Responsibility for caring for each other and the well-being of the group. Manaakitaka emphasises collective responsibility and reciprocity.
Rakatirataka
The right for the individual to exercise autonomy over their lives and learning, and our responsibilities to each other. “Rangatiratanga includes a focus on individuals reaching their highest potential, expanding and deepening their talents and skills, thus strengthening and enhancing the whānau/family or collective.” Rameka, 2011, p. 253
Kai
Our cook prepares varied and nutritious lunches as well as morning and afternoon tea. Our younger children have lunch in groups of 6–12 with two teachers, and after this many of them have an afternoon sleep.