At Grafton Kindergarten drawing on our own personal experiences as parents and our kiwiana childhoods, we empower the children to learn and develop through their own exploration of the environment in partnership with their whanau and the wider community. The kaiako at Grafton also believe in providing out-in-nature learning and kaitiaki groups to enhance how literacy, mathematics, science, technology, drama and the arts contribute to a sense of understanding, guardianship and sustainability now and into the future.  

We recognise the children’s strengths and acknowledge their challenges to foster their learning through participation, providing a protective environment that will scaffold their learning and development of their own unique person, sure of their self and their spirituality, ready to embark on their journey through kindergarten, school and beyond.

 

In a setting that shapes their futures, tamariki are developing an appreciation of the natural world, we will learn to understand about nurturing the environment, to help it thrive and to experience the benefits that it will return to us.

 

The kaiako at Grafton have made a commitment to the learning community and to embark on our own journeys of continued learning, ensuring that our practise and knowledge place the tamariki at the centre, the very heart.  The Mauri of our kindergarten allows us to develop a deep consideration for each individual, for each whanau and they place they have in the community.  We provide equitable opportunities for every child, a place where each child feels safe and knows that they have a place.  We commit to being open minded, accepting feedback and adapting our own practise to respect the unique nature of each person.