*conditions apply
Nau mai haere mai - Welcome
Hunter Park kindergarten is situated on top of the historic Pukekaihau Pa, overlooking the Waipukurau township and surrounded my mature and magnificent trees.
Our beautiful kindergarten serves both urban and rural population in sunny Central Hawkes Bay, providing quality early childhood education for tamariki ages two to six years.
We are open for learning all year (except for Christmas/Summer closure). We are an all-day sessional kindergarten with a maximum group size of 40. Standard session hours are 8.30am-2.30pm daily. Extended hours 8am-3.30pm are available if needed where there is a reduced number of spaces.
In consultation with community, Hunter Park Kindergarten developed a distinctive cultural framework Te Puna o Pukekaihau, reflecting the unique place of Māori as tangata whenua. This sits alongside the Aotearoa New Zealand Te Whāriki curriculum.
Whanaungatanga is important to us. We use a key teacher approach which means that tamariki have an assigned kaiako that plans for, tracks and documents their individual learning journey in consultation with their whānau. This key kaiako remains with the tamaiti and whānau for their entire kindergarten journey.
Whenuatanga and Kaitiakitanga are important to us. As an active Enviroschool, we value the natural environment both at kindergarten and out into our community. Sitting closely alongside this are the practices of Mindfulness which is taught and shared with tamariki, whānau and kaiako.
We have an open door. You are welcome to visit us any day during session hours. Nau mai, Haere Mai
Vision and Philosophy
Vision
MISSION STATEMENT:
Te Puna o Pukekaihau has four streams of learning: Cultural Identity, Community, Transition and Sustainability. Akonga at Hunter Park Kindergarten will experience:
- Cultural Identity through whanaungatanga - reciprocal relationships
- Community through kaitiakitanga - guardianship
- Transition focused on whakamana - empowerment
- Sustainability with nurturing wairua through nature
VISION STATEMENT:
Providing a learning environment that reflects the Cultural Framework of Te Puna O Pukekaihau.
Philosophy
Relationships sit at the heart of our kaupapa. We believe in building authentic connective relationships through respect and kindness with one another and with our natural environment.
We recognise children’s play as being holistic and fundamental to their learning and development.
At Hunter Park Kindergarten – Te Puna o Pukekaihau, we uphold the mana of every child. We value and affirm each child’s unique leaning journey. (Reviewed 2022)
ERO Quality Evaluation Report
Hours and Fees
30 hours free early childhood education.
Monday – Friday:
Extended Day:
8:00 am – 3:30 pm (7.5 hours); or
8:30 am – 2:30pm (6 hours)
Term Dates
Starts: Tuesday 23 January
Finishes: Thursday 21 December
The kindergarten will be open Monday to Friday and open through term breaks (excluding Christmas break and public holidays).
2023 Statutory Holidays:
Waitangi Day Monday 6 February
Good Friday Friday 7 April
Easter Monday Monday 10 April
Anzac Day Tuesday 25 April
King’s Birthday Monday 5 June
Matariki Friday 14 July
Labour Day Monday 23 October
Fees
30 hours free early childhood education.
The cost of any hours over and above 6 hours per day is $5.00 per hour per child/tamaiti. This means that there is only a charge for the 7.5-hour (8am – 3.30pm) session.
This is an example of cost currently
Hours: 8.00 am - 3.30 pm
1 Day = $7.50
2 Days = $15.00
3 Days = $22.50
4 Days = $30.00
5 Days = $37.50
Kaiako
Sharon Sciascia
Kaiako Matua (Head Teacher)
Diploma Teaching (ECE)
Bachelor of Education (Special Ed)
Alyssa Sanson
Kaiako
Bachelor of Teaching
(ECE)
Nicky Burnett
Kaiako
Bachelor of Teaching
(Early Childhood Education)
Kathleen Ballinger
Kaiako
Diploma of Teaching
(ECE)
Claire Beachen
Kaiako
Bachelor of Teaching
(Early Childhood Education)
