Omanu preschool - Rapunga whakaaro - Our philosophy

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Our philosophy embodies the four principles of the early childhood curriculum -

Te Whāriki – He whāriki mātauranga mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa:

Empowerment, Holistic Development, Family and Community, and Relationships.

We have a strong commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi; weaving the principles of Partnership, Protection and Participation into all areas of our practice as we strive to honour the unique position of Māori as Tangata Whenua in Aotearoa.

We value a learning environment in which all ākonga/learners and their play are honoured and celebrated. Our environment is intentional and engaging in order to foster curiosity and creativity through loose parts: incorporating natural and recycled materials. A place in which ākonga feel empowered to be themselves, enhancing their mana and that of others. It is a special space where tamariki create memories with their friends, kaiako, and whānau as they learn and make discoveries together, inspiring a lifelong love of learning.  We value our kaiako as our most valuable resource. Our kaiako are passionate, inspired, highly experienced people; they bring with them their own strengths and passions which we value, encouraging them to share these talents within our community of learners.  

(Cognitive, physical, emotional, and spiritual development interwoven with social and cultural dimensions)

Our teaching team is passionate about celebrating each and every tamaiti within our community. We take a holistic and inclusive view of our ākonga as strong, capable and resilient, with the belief that every tamaiti is gifted with a unique cultural identity, strengths, interests, and learning dispositions. We build on these gifts and empower each tamaiti to develop a view of themselves as an active learner. We encourage tamariki to question, take risks and problem solve, setting and achieving their own learning goals as they begin to wonder and develop theories and knowledge, while actively exploring the wider world around them. 

We understand the trust that whānau place in us, and respect and celebrate the unique position that we have in supporting the aspirations that whānau have for their tamaiti. We promote open and reciprocal whanaungatanga relationships, dedicated to supporting the learning journey of each tamaiti. We also strive to support tamariki to develop connecting links within the wider local community, with regular opportunities to connect with local people, resources, and the environment with materials drawn from nature. We understand that in order for tamariki to make the most of their world, they must first form an attachment with the earth and an understanding of their place within it. 

Relationships are at the heart of all that we do. We believe in fostering partnerships, sharing values, teaching and learning together. The relationships tamariki form are a key factor in the success of their learning journey. Each tamaiti and whānau will have their own key teacher who forms the primary relationship to support their transition, and who they are able to share information and weave a respectful partnership with.  Through establishing this foundation tamariki and whānau are able to develop a sense of belonging and feel confident and empowered to explore, learn and play.