Weka's Philosophy

The Kaiako and Management of Weka believe that Tamariki from birth to six years of age have developmental needs and capabilities that are rapidly changing and quite unlike those of any subsequent time of their life.

Celebrated as Individuals

Children are the future generation to lead our universe, our Weka responsibility is to set them up with life skills to embrace this hāpai/journey. Within a home like setting that enhances and embraces their mana where they are celebrated as unique individuals.

Exploration of the World

​Exploration and development of tamariki’s own bodies capabilities is celebrated through a natural progression and achievement via free movement practices, “In my own time, when my muscles and brain are ready”. Alongside respecting the child’s pace and time, by moving, acting, and inviting them into unhurried practices, working as an active participant.
Supported by an environment that is recognized as “the third teacher” richly resourced with real materials, valuing both aesthetics and beauty as a teaching tool while stimulating children’s engagement, imagination, and exploration of both learning materials and spaces.

 Passionate Kaiako

Supported by responsive co-constructing Kaiako who design provocational teaching and learning to create wonder, inquiry and knowledge through guidance and manaakitanga/support for tamariki and whanau’s learning and understanding to flourish.

Relationships - the key to learning

​All tamariki and family/whanau will experience a partnership of whanaungatanga via primary caregiving practices where we work in partnership with close trusting relationship, ensuring a sense of belonging and security is felt

Curriculum guiding our way

Culture & Diversity is celebrated
​Whakamana will empower the tamariki to explore, discover and research within a play-based curriculum actively becoming constructors of knowledge, by engaging and exploring the Te Taiao/World around them, strongly immersed in the wonders of nature and the creations of the land papatuanuku.
​​Weka believes for the above to come into place a unique status of tangata whenua needs to be felt, heard, and embraced, where culture and diversity is celebrated in our daily practice naturally and the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi guide us.

See Some Examples