Tena Koutou, Haere Mai

Parakai Kindergarten opened in 1995 and is located next to the Parakai Primary School in Fordyce Road. The kindergarten serves a large area including Parakai, South Head, Helensville, Woodhill, Waitoki and Kaukapakapa.

This beautiful, spacious kindergarten provides the perfect environment for our tamariki to learn through the magical art of play. Nurtured by our talented team of teachers who make sure that our most precious little citizens, have a special place to spend their days in the heart of their community.

Our curriculum is strongly influenced by Te Whariki. Integrated within this is an emphasis on bicultural practices that upholds the partnership of Te Tiriti ō Waitangi. We believe Te Ao Maori is a vital part of our daily practice and allows children to appreciate te reo Maori as a living and relevant language.

We view whakawhanaungatanga (relationships) as the foundation of our kindergarten. We provide a welcoming and inclusive environment where whānau are recognised as the primary caregivers and their needs, values and beliefs upheld. Manaakitanga (hospitality) comes hand in hand with our relationships, showing aroha/love and compassion towards whānau and visitors.

“He aroha whakatō, he aroha ka puta mai”

“If kindness is sown, then kindness is what you shall receive”

We believe in creating a sustainable environment with an emphasis on manaaki whenua, caring for our land. This is reflected in our recycling, worm farm and pig food composting systems, growing and harvesting our own kai/food from our vegetable gardens and fruit trees and our up-cycling endeavours. Our wonderful and spacious natural environment includes a mud pit, gardens, trees and a water tank that collects our rain water. We are also part of Enviroschools, which provides ongoing learning to maintain and grow as a sustainable kindergarten. We promote kaitiakitanga amongst our tamariki which involves respecting and protecting our natural environment. These mindful practices will play a part of lifelong habits for our tamariki.

“Toitū te whenua, whatungarongaro he tangata”

“The land remains when people have disappeared”