The Childrenâs Ark is a community based early childhood centre that affirms Christian values and beliefs. We offer every child and their family a safe, positive and challenging learning environment, where the emphasis is on fun and building strong foundational learning dispositions.
Our professional teaching team believes that each child is unique and that young children learn best through play. The programme is based on Te WhÄriki, and aims to build on each childâs strengths and interests. Children are encouraged to make their own play choices and to actively experiment, explore and extend their thinking with support and guidance. Teachers work hard to ensure that learning opportunities are not limited by age, gender, ability or background.
We acknowledge the role of family as the first teacher and support families to participate in all aspects of our programme. In building parent partnerships we aim to understand the priorities, interests and concerns of the children, families and community we serve.
At the Childrenâs Ark, children will have the opportunity to:
Develop their communication skills
Work with, and alongside others
Develop a sense of independence and feel confident about who they are
Problem solve and take risks
Be creative and expressive
Develop early maths, literacy and science skills
Develop a strong interest and respect for the natural world
Accept and follow limits and boundaries
Develop positive self help and self management skills
Develop their spiritual awareness
âDevelop knowledge and an understanding of the cultural heritages of both partners of Te Tiriti o Waitangiâ (Te WhÄriki), also, showing an interest and enjoyment in, differences between a wide range of cultures, with a special focus on learning about Christian beliefs and values, as well as tikanga MÄori.
Have fun learning
For our younger children all of the above applies, but we have developed a philosophy incorporating the Pikler Approach which âis based on a kind and respectful relationship between an adult and infant, through tender care moments, a naturally paced motor development, free movement and uninterrupted play.â
âTe WhÄrikiâ is the Ministry of Educationâs early childhood curriculum policy statement and provides a framework for childrenâs early learning and development, emphasising the learning partnership between teachers, parents and families.
âTikanga MÄoriâ is generally taken to mean âthe MÄori way of doing thingsâ. It is derived from the MÄori word tika meaning ârightâ or âcorrectâ and applies to matters of culture, custom, and protocol, etc.