OUR PHILOSOPHY
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Omaka Early Learning Centre upholds the image of the child as a powerful, competent, capable, and integral member of the community. Our Early Childhood Centre is a place for children to grow, explore and flourish as unique individuals strong in their ability to lead their own learning.
Our teachers celebrate children’s development through our holistic and child-led approach, embracing our Early Childhood Curriculum. Our teachers listen to our children’s voice at all times and work alongside our children engaging in a partnership of growth and learning together, knowing that learning is a lifelong journey. Ensuring a strong image of the child correlates to a strong image of the teacher.
Along with Te Whāriki, our Early Childhood Curriculum, and the Reggio Emilia approach, Omaka Early Learning Centre strongly values the aspects of the RIE philosophy. Primary caregiving, respectful relationships and genuine love for children are visible in every aspect of our programme and are visible in all that we say and do.
Omaka Early Learning Centre embraces New Zealand’s unique culture as essential in developing holistic learners true to understanding our bicultural values and embracing a multi-cultural learning community.
Omaka Early Learning Centre celebrates that each whānau is unique, deserving of respect, and the centre of each child’s life. We foster interpersonal relationships among children and adults in order to provide an educational experience of the highest quality built upon the belief that children have a natural disposition for learning and an innate curiosity that, when intentionally and carefully nurtured, blossoms into a life-long love of learning. We strive for all whānau to genuinely have their sense of belonging valued and to know that they have a special place with us.
We value ourselves on providing a home away from home for our children where they can discover their curiosity while developing a sense of wonder and be celebrated for the amazing individuals they are with unlimited potential as they embark on the first flight on their learning journey.
Taking Flight with OUR Peers
Our children are respected and trusted for their inner potential and celebrated for who they are and where they have come from. They are valued for their meaningful work and purposeful child-led play – being active participants in their own learning journey. Our children are celebrated and respected for their capacity to investigate, explore and maintain curiosity in the world around them. We believe that connection and immersion in nature is key to the well-being of all humans. Our children are given opportunities to access the vibrant, earthy wonders of the outdoors – particularly our local reserve. At the same time, children are developing social interactions with peers and engaging as competent and confident learners who are actively involved in their own development. This allows them to build a degree of resilience and persistence through self-awareness, self-motivation and self-regulation.
Taking Flight with OUR Teachers
Our teachers are also viewed as lifelong learners who work alongside children and remain true to their role of nurturing, encouraging and inspiring the holistic development of all children. Our teachers thrive through their engagement with children, sharing and celebrating in their moments of unplanned, unexpected and ultimately unlimited experiences. They are valued for their knowledge, commitment and passion for children. We see our teachers as co-learners, supporting and guiding children to explore and discover the world around them. We believe our teachers are the key stakeholders in forming, nurturing and growing strong relationships with our children, whānau and wider community.
Taking Flight with OUR Whānau and Community
Education at Omaka Early Learning Centre is a collaborative process. Children, teachers, whānau and the community constantly engage to reflect on the aspirations and learning outcomes for all children. Our environment offers infants, toddlers and older children regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in and around our Omaka environment. We, as people, grow from learning in a supportive environment that embodies a wide range of support knowledge and perspectives. By learning collaboratively, we develop a strong sense of community and grow an empathetic community of learners.
Taking Flight with OUR Environments
Our environment is a place of beauty both inside and out. Our learning environment is enriched with love and the atmosphere is calm and nurturing. At Omaka Early Learning Centre, we foster the innate tendency for children to seek connections with nature and other forms of life. This happens through taking learning out of the classroom, re-introducing the outdoors whilst enhancing all areas of their development through a natural discovery approach. Children enjoy the freedom of leading their own learning, exploring and discovering uninhibited in our environment. Children learn most effectively when they are connecting deeply with nature through play experiences. This is about creating interactions with people and the places where they play, learning to care for nature and the world in which we live. The concept of sustainability is introduced through experiential learning. Being outdoors in a natural setting enables children to develop a connection with the natural world that can lead to long-term environmental awareness and understanding as well as positive outcomes for their developing views of the world.
