We see each child as truly unique. We are excited to be with them on their learning journey.

Respect, care, love and beauty

Arohanui provides care and education for children from three to five years.  Our centre provides a safe, secure and respectful environment where children are nurtured and supported to become independent, competent and confident learners. We build relationships with children so they are comfortable and confident to explore. With  a strong focus on biculturalism, teachers weave Te Ao Māori naturally and authentically into the child’s day.

We see each child as truly unique. Deeper learning is encouraged through inquiry learning and projects. Children are encouraged to make decisions and actively participate in the centre and become creative thinkers.

Play-based activities within a well-resourced centre

Children are free to choose from play-based activities within a well-resourced centre. They are able to join in games and develop social awareness with other children. We provide the children with many opportunities for early numeracy and literacy in their play.  As you walk up the ramp to our door you will notice a colourful birdhouse with glass planes – an element of a beautiful aesthetic environment in which children can play.

“All children are born artists, we grow out of creativity” – Pablo Picasso.

Unique outdoor environments

Our unique outdoor environments are the cornerstone of our programme. Children have access to the large outdoor play areas where there is a focus on the natural environment.  We provide children with authentic experiences with nature.

We are part of Enviroschools, a special program guiding our nature-based teaching. Our children have access to our wilderness area called Ngaherenui, where they can investigate gardens, play in our mud pit, catch bugs or climb trees. We have a dedicated Ngahere program, where a group of our tuakana, older children, regularly engage in learning experiences in our forest.

The children can participate in the wonders of growing delicious food and by growing and eating vegetables from the garden. Our kitchen is at the heart of the centre – children pop an apron on and help to bake delicious goodies with the teachers or our kitchen support staff member.  We encourage healthy eating at our centres. Scraps from the children’s lunchboxes are put into the Mother Earth bowl to feed the worm farm, chickens and compost.

Open communication with parents and whānau

The centre has open communication with parents and whānau.  By regularly discussing the child’s progress, parents have opportunities to share their knowledge, abilities and interests of the child outside the centre. This assists the teachers to further plan learning opportunities for their child.

Our children have many opportunities to link into their community through numerous educational trips. Parents are always welcome to come along on these excursions. Once a month we have a fun day for the children which we call KidsCan Day. This may be a crazy hair day, bike day or other fun event. The children bring in a gold coin for the KidsCan charity on this day.