Our Philosophy

Our Philosophy

 


Open Spaces is a loving and engaging place of learning for our babies, tamariki/young children, kaiako and whānau. We provide a safe, secure, educational, nurturing and fun environment for our tamariki.
Our number one objective is to provide high quality early childhood education and care.


Open Spaces is a nature-rich community and our relationships with Papatūānuku guide our values and practice.


Through Kaitiakitanga / Guardianship we:

 

• emphasise a nature-based education for its breadth of learning;
• offer meaningful connections to Papatūānuku throughout our curriculum;
• promote respect, care and protection of all life;
• want tamariki to know the joy of being with nature;
• look to the past, work in the present, envision the future.

We believe that Ngā Hononga / Relationships are the foundations for all learning; where respectful, reciprocal, honest and trusting relationships create a sense of well-being, a strong positive identity, self-esteem and confidence to climb the tallest mountain. Through free-play and intentional teaching, tamariki learn both independently and alongside their peers and teachers. We value and practice Tuakana-Teina and the notion of interdependence.


We value learning dispositions such as curiosity, imagination, creativity and perseverance. Whakamana / Empowerment sees tamariki initiate and lead their own learning, accept leadership and responsibility. Our project approach promotes intellectual goals over academic skills.


We recognise and value Whānau Tangata / Family and Community as experts and as partners in the nurturing of tamariki. We support the cultural capital of tamariki and their whānau and endeavour to incorporate family perspectives and expertise into the curriculum.


We acknowledge Te Whāriki, the New Zealand early childhood curriculum. It guides and inspires everything we do as teachers.


We acknowledge, respect and promote the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and ensure our tamariki experience an environment that values and promotes Te Ao Māori.


At Open Spaces we welcome, value and respect the diversity within our centre regardless of ethnicity, culture, socio-economic status or gender differences.