Philosophy

At Secret Garden ELC we believe that children have the right to a high quality inclusive education with staff that are passionate about the teaching and learning of young children.  Our children have opportunities to explore and engage in a diverse variety of experiences in a child and teacher led programme, which encourages children’s learning through play.

We provide an environment which is safe, challenging, supportive and nurturing. This fosters social, emotional, physical and cognitive development within a lifelong learning framework.  We encourage our children to become independent and active members of our community, who care and have respect for themselves, others and the environment, both in the babies and preschool room.

We have a rich learning environment which provides opportunities for all children – regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or ability, to become fully involved in learning alongside others.  We foster respectful relationships between the children and staff in our warm, caring and homely centre.

We embrace Te Whaariki, the Early Childhood Curriculum.  It’s strands, goals and holistic view of the whole child provide a foundation for our programme and we foster the values of belonging, contribution, exploration, communication and wellbeing within our diverse community.

We encourage children to value, respect and have a positive awareness of their own and others cultures while also recognising our unique bicultural heritage of Aotearoa/New Zealand which is based on Te Tiriti O Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi).  Whaanau involvement is important to us and we strive to have strong relationships between the home and the centre.

Our education environment encourages children to become independent thinkers at the heart of their own learning.  We believe that nature plays a critical role in the development of children.  This is supported by our large unique natural outdoor area where children can have positive, explorative and stimulating experiences to build on their curiosity, knowledge and interest in the wider world.