- Our Glenavon Early Childhood Centre community of learners believe that children learn through interactions with people, places and things.
- Teachers acknowledge and value the importance and place of whanau in children’s development and learning; and the culture and wealth of knowledge they bring.
- We value and recognize the “process of learning” and constructing knowledge together.
- We believe children learn best in a safe healthy environment with well thought out resources, where they are empowered to make decisions supported by adults/teachers; and where children and families are comfortable with their own culture, language, identity and sense of belonging.
- We believe that curriculum emerging from children’s interest, knowledge and strengths is most valuable in providing meaningful, purposeful and relevant opportunities to maximize children’s learning.
We encourage and will endeavour to support children to develop:
- positive self-esteem and mana
- into independent competent learners who see learning as engaging and fun
- positive self-identity, and the confidence to share their culture
- understanding and respect for other cultures, languages and beliefs
- familiarity with tikanga Maori and Te reo
- respect for self, others and the environment
- compassion, sensitivity and care for others around them
- exploration skills and ability to question their environment
- creative, deeper thinking and problem solving skills
- ability to communicate and contribute to group situations
- attitudes, knowledge, and skills for lifelong learning; and key competencies for smooth transition to school.