About

Where every child can believe in themselves and achieve their dreams and aspirations.

Hea e taea tamaiti katoa whakapono i roto ia ratou, ka tutuki o ratou moe me ngā wawata

Welcome to Kaitiaki Kindergartens
People and Whanau,

Welcome, welcome to Kaitiaki Kindergarten website. You will find information regarding our kindergartens, early learning centres, and Kaitiaki. “What is the most important thing in the world?” “It is people, it is people, it is people.” (Parents, whanau, caregivers, children, teachers, people in our organisation and in our communities are the most important thing for without them we would not exist.

This ancient whakatauki (proverb) guides our daily practice and interactions) Therefore, greetings, greetings, greetings to you all

Mihi

E nga Iwi, E nga whanau Nau mai, haere mai ki te pae tukutuku (website) o Kaitiaki Kura Kōhungahunga.

Kua kitea koutou nga mataranga e pa ana ki ou matou koanga tamaiti, nga koanga pepe, me te Kaitiaki Kura Kōhungahunga hoki. “He aha te mea nui o te ao?” “He tangata, he tangata, he tangata”. No reira, Tena Koutou, tena koutou, tena tatou katoa

Our Purpose

To provide effective early childhood education services to ensure every child leaves kindergarten with the foundations of personal development and a love of life and learning
Your Child, Your Place
At our centres your child will learn
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HOW TO RELATE TO OTHER CHILDREN AND THEIR TEACHERS
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HOW TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, DEVELOP INDEPENDENCE AND SELF-CONFIDENCE
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HOW TO SHARE AND EXPLORE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS
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HOW TO EXPRESS IDEAS AND ACKNOWLEDGE FEELINGS
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NEGOTIATING, TURN TAKING, COOPERATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
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RESPECT FOR OTHER CULTURES, LANGUAGES AND TRADITIONS
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HOW TO BETTER INTERACT WITH FAMILY AND THE WIDER COMMUNITY
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HAUORA (THE FOUR DIMENSIONS OF HEALTH), PHYSICAL, MENTAL, SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL HEALTH
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SUSTAINABILITY AND THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Find a Kindergarten Find an Early Learning Centre Find a Holiday Programme
Our History
Kaitiaki Kindergartens were originally known as the East Coast Bays Free Kindergarten Association. Torbay was the association’s first kindergarten which opened in 1954 and it is still a very active kindergarten to this day. As we grew we became known as the Northern Auckland Free Kindergarten Association. Today, we go by the name of ‘Kaitiaki Kindergartens’. Kaitiaki means, “a guardian or trustee, typically of an environmental area or resource.” This change reflects our responsibility to each and every child, community member and kindergarten in the Kaitiaki wider family.
We’re about:
  • children, families and whanau
  • quality early childhood education
  • a qualified and registered workforce
  • community
  • not-for-profit
  • home grown
  • kiwi owned
The Kindergarten Movement:
1889

First kindergarten opens in Dunedin, with just 14 children

1913

New Zealand Kindergarten Union formed, but put on hold due to First World War

1926

New Zealand Free Kindergarten Union formed

1994

New Zealand Free Kindergarten Union became New Zealand Free Kindergarten Association Incorporated

2004

New Zealand Free Kindergarten Association Incorporated became New Zealand Kindergartens Incorporated. Northern Auckland Kindergarten Association Incorporated is a member of New Zealand Kindergartens Incorporated.

2010

All NAKA kindergartens adopt the ‘kindergarten day’ model of operating hours.

2019

Renamed ‘Kaitiaki Kindergartens’ meaning, “a guardian or trustee, typically of an environmental area or resource."

Kindergarten is a partnership between:
Teachers Qualified, registered teachers provide and deliver educational programmes under the guidance and support of the Professional Practice Leaders.
Our Communities Support teachers and the Association to help raise funds to ensure it has the resources required by the teachers and staff and to build community relationships.
Board of Management Elected by the community by members (parents/whanau) to govern the Association. The board sets policies and the strategic direction of the Association and appoints the General Manager to manage the Association on their behalf.