Ōtaki – Education Town Kindergarten develops young problem-solvers

BY FRANK NEILL

Ōtaki Kindergarten – probably the oldest preschool in the town – provides high-quality learning for tamariki.

The unique part of the kindergarten’s programme is that it promotes “loose-parts play,” the kindergarten’s Head Teacher, Erin Phelps, says.

“Loose-parts play is where ordinary, everyday, open-ended materials can be manipulated and used in various ways –moved, carried, shared, combined and taken apart in various configurations and designs.

“Loose-parts play offers exploration, problem solving and cognitive development, and can be easily transformed with children’s imagination.

Just three of the items tamariki use in this play [pictured middle right] are milk crates, planks and tyres.

“We believe in an environment where tamariki can learn through play at their own pace,” Ms Phelps says.

“We try to get the children being creative little people. “What we want to see is children who can solve problems,” she adds.

The kindergarten has an outstanding staff that includes six teachers. All are qualified and registered and are mentored to work to the highest standard.

Sixty tamariki are enrolled at the preschool, with up to 42 of them attending on any one day.

One of the key aspects of the Ōtaki Kindergarten is the “strong relationship we have with our community and whānau,” Ms Phelps says.

The preschool invites the whānau of tamariki to become involved in the kindergarten’s community. People are always welcome to stay during sessions – perhaps sharing skills, such as music or sports – or just “hanging out”.

The ideas and feedback of people is also always welcome. “Our whānau manaaki – caring family – is built around parents and caregivers, whānau, kaiako and our communities.”

It is all about relationships.

Ōtaki Kindergarten appreciates the help that parents, grandparents and other whānau provide.

A whānau-based approach ensures tamariki are encouraged to learn together in an environment that deeply embraces kaupapa Māori concepts such as ako, manaakitanga and whānaungtanga.

The high level of community involvement is “very manaenhancing for everyone,” Ms Phelps says.

Ōtaki Kindergarten has a large purpose-built building, an extensive playground and is well resourced with quality equipment.

It offers 20 hours of free education and care for tamariki aged between two and five years old, although a few children stay on until they are six.

When it comes time for tamariki to leave kindergarten and go to school, their farewell is marked by a celebration that includes presenting the child with their pukapuka mahi. Ōtaki Kindergarten was established in 1967 and has been providing early childhood education for 56 years.

It is a member of He Whānau Manaaki o Tararua Free Kindergarten Association Incorporated. This not-for-profit association includes 103 kindergartens in Wellington, the Hutt Valley, Porirua, Kāpiti, Wairarapa, Horowhenua, the Central Plateau and Whanganui, with 6,000 tamariki collectively attending their preschools. Ōtaki Kindergarten supports the Before School Check health programme. Plunket co-ordinators come to the kindergarten in their mobile van to carry out these checks in the year before each child goes to school.

The preschool also visits Raukawa Marae and the Rangiātea Church twice a year and regularly visits Te Kura o Ōtaki and Te Whare Pukapuka o Ōtaki (the library).

From time to time tamariki are taken for short walks near and around the kindergarten, as well as on longer excursions.