The doors are soon to open on Aotea’s first ever daycare facility for an initial trial period of a year. From Term 3 of the school year, parents will be able to drop their children off for three days a week at the Aotea Early Learning Centre in Kaitoke.
The centre’s manager and two teachers have all moved to the motu specially to come on board with the project, which is supported by the Local Board’s annual funding of the Aotea Education Trust.
Centre Manager Bonnie Henare explains that the 12 months supports them to gain a Provisional License to operate an ECE service on Aotea / Great Barrier Island. Their intention is to build capacity by supporting people on the island to train and work in an ECE setting, under the supervision of qualified and registered teachers.
“I have no doubt this project will provide high quality learning experiences for children with an innovative and holistic curriculum that is localised to the island,” says Bonnie.
Aotea Early Learning Centre will be operating from the Playcentre building on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8:30-4:30pm, for children aged 3-5 years (preschool aged children). The curriculum will be nature-based and include bilingual Māori language learning.
Bonnie has a connection to Aotea / Great Barrier Island through her grandfather’s paternal line back to Pu Hemi Ngawaka.
“He and his brother left a legacy and commitment to education on Aotea; I have read historical accounts of them offering their home and land for the establishment of a school on the island. I want to fulfil what they saw possible and bring honour to my whānau.”
How to enrol
Keep an eye out for upcoming open days, where you can meet Bonnie and the other teachers in-person and access enrolment packs. Alternatively email aoteaearlylearningcentre@gmail.com with any questions, or if you’re interested in training in early childhood education.
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