Parents & Whānau

NKA kindergartens value and encourage parent's whānau to be involved in their child's kindergarten experiences.

Why Kindergarten?

3 reasons why you should “Consider Kindergarten” as your first choice for quality, affordable Early Childhood Education

Highest Quality

The Northland Kindergarten Association (NKA) has 25 kindergartens throughout Northland. Every teacher we employ is a fully registered and trained ECE teaching professional. The Teachers are supported by a full time Professional Practice Team to ensure they maintain the highest standards of practice and provide the most up to date learning opportunities for all children. The NKA was the first ECE organisations in NZ to have some of their centres receive the highest level classifications available from ERO in 2013. The NKA also employees permanent Speech and Language Therapists. The NKA is recognised as the leader and innovator in service and delivery of ECE in Northland.

Fees Free

Our kindergartens all offer 30 hours free ECE and provide the highest quality education for your children.

Community focused

The NKA is a community based organisation which re-invests all monies back into the kindergarten association and its kindergartens. Each of our 25 Kindergartens is an individual reflection of the community in which it is situated. We value input and suggestions from our kindergarten communities and adapt our philosophies and environments to suit the needs and aspirations of the children attending. We welcome parent and whānau help in the kindergartens but it is not a requirement. Children as young as 2 can commence their kindergarten experience.

Contact your local Kindergarten or the NKA Office to find out about the services we provide and the hours which may suit your needs. All information and details can be found on www.nka.org.nz or check out our NKA facebook page.

NKA 2022 Term Dates

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Important Docs

Concerns & Complaints Policy

Frequently Asked Questions

Have any questions abpout the services we provide? Click the link below to veiw our FAQ

FAQ

Speech and language support

NKA employs speech and language therapists that are available to work with all children that attend NKA Kindergartens that may require additional support in regards to their speech and language. If you have any concerns regarding this please speak with your kindergarten teachers and they will support you in making a request for an assessment for your child. This is a simple process that may make a huge positive impact on your child. Parent’s and Whānau are fully involved and informed throughout their child’s involvement with the Speech Language Therapist

Tikanga & Te Reo Māori

E koekoe te tūī, e ketekete te kākā, e kūkū te kererū

The tūī, the kākā (parrot) and the kererū (wood pigeon) are referenced in this whakatauki in terms of their speech – the tūī chatters, the parrot gabbles, the wood pigeon coos. The popular meaning is, “it takes all kinds of people”, and that reflects our organisation and what each of us brings to the learning that each Kindergarten will provide your tamariki.

Northland Kindergarten Association is working towards embracing Tikanga and Te Reo Māori and recognising that Te Reo Māori is a taonga (treasure). Some of these strategies include:

Ongoing Professional development for Tikanga and Te Reo Māori available to all Kindergarten teachers and staff of the Association.
Tikanga me Te Reo Māori Language Planning strategies for each individual Kindergarten.
Pou Whakarewa Tikanga Māori / Māori Advisor who works alongside each Kindergarten.

Ko te reo te mauri o te mana Māori

The language is the life essence of Māori mana

In 1987 Māori language became official in this country. The quotes below provide some of the rationale for its recognition. At a kaumatua hui organised by the Department of Māori Affairs in 1979, Sir James Henare said “Ko te reo te mauri o te mana Māori” (the language is the life essence of Māori mana). Language is the life essence and sustenance of a culture. It provides the tentacles that can enable a child to link up with everything in his or her world. It is one of the most important forms of empowerment that a child can have. Language is not only a form of communication but it helps transmit the values and beliefs of a people” (Pere, 1995, p. 9).

For tamariki to acquire the ability to communicate through language, they need to be guided by those closest to them (Drewery & Bird, 2007, p. 167). Therefore in the early childhood environment it is crucial for staff to build positive relationships with tamariki and their whānau/families. Vygotsky also emphasized the importance of these relationships in supporting and enhancing children’s development (Claiborne & Drewery, 2010, p. 18). Conversely, the way we communicate with each other is one of the most important aspects of development that link people together.

Every contribution that we make, no matter the size, makes an important contribution to the growth and development of our language.

Me mau koe ki te tikanga Māori

Hold fast to the traditions of our Māori culture

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