Discovery Kindergarten

About

High Quality Early Childhood Education

Story

The kindergarten serves the self-contained, suburban community of Whitby. The kindergarten children go on to attend four primary schools in the area. The kindergarten has a close reciprocal relationship with Discovery School next door. There is a local library, several parks and reserves, a shopping mall and medical and dental services. The community is very supportive of Kindergarten and teachers.

The kindergarten environment is planted with attractive mature natives. It has gently sloping grounds which present opportunities for children to learn to negotiate gradients in a safe environment. We have permission from the school to use its field, and we often do this. There is a large covered sandpit and a large deck. We are a well resourced kindergarten and provide children with a variety of equipment to allow for development in all areas of the curriculum.

The programme is soundly based on the children’s interests with children identifying these interests and supporting them by providing resources and engaging children in conversation to support their learning to deepen their developing understanding. The progression and development of these interests are placed on our planning walls within the centre. These show both group and individual learning. These stories are also placed in the child’s profile book, which is continuously being updated with the latest stories and is available at all time for whānau to read.

TERM DATES 2014
Term 1: 22 January - 17 April
Term 2: 5 May - 4 July
Term 3: 21 July - 26 September
Term 4: 13 October - 19 December
Full Day Kindergartens:
6 January - 4 July
14 July - 19 December