Initiatives and Innovations
Kindergarten teachers are involved in a range of initiatives that enhance teaching and learning. A number of these projects are research based, contracted by the Ministry of Education and others, local projects initiated by kindergarten associations. Here are some examples:
Otaki Kindergarten is part of the Ministry of Education’s Centre of Innovation programme. It is exploring environmental education as an essential part of the curriculum fostering responsibility for Papatuanuku and Ranginui: Te Ao Maori. “We aspire to become kaitiaki, mindful caretakers of our patch of the world. By adhering to this philosophy, the teachers encourage tamariki to be active participants, contributing to their part of the world” More
Involved in the National EnviroSchools Programme since 2005, Papamoa and Papamoa Coast Kindergartens have been awarded silver medals for their efforts in promoting education for sustainability. The teachers developed a programme focusing on sustainability practices for children, whanau and local communities, ensuring the way kindergartens operate is sustainable. More
Wadestown Kindergarten teachers and children are exploring multiple literacies. Information communication technologies are used with and to represent different modes of communication – language, art, images, dance, drama, movement and music. More
A number of kindergartens around the country are participating in the Early Childhood Education ICT Professional Learning Programme aimed at developing the innovative integration of ICT into teaching and learning and/or administration. The first programme of its kind in early childhood education in New Zealand, it promises to add to the already exciting developments in ICT. More
The Parent Support and Development programme is aimed at improving support to vulnerable families by piloting parent support linked to early childhood education centres. A number of kindergartens are involved in the programme creating a ‘community hub’ for the provision of parent support. More