Moko Club Ngaruawahia

About

Our Moko Club is a learning environment for tamariki based on the philosophy of kaitiakitanga. We cater for 2-year-olds up to 6-year-olds in preparation for kura and welcome all whanau.

Story

Moko Club is a place for tamariki to have fun and is open to all familites. Moko Club centres focus on growing and preparing kai in a fun club environment as well as preparing tamariki for school.

*Our Philosophy*
We believe tamariki should play and have fun and the Maori philosophy of kaitiakitanga or caring for the environment is our guiding framework. We provide a positive, nurturing place where tamariki are free to play and explore in a safe and fun way. We welcome all tamariki and their whanau.

*Parents and Whanau
We encourage whanau involvement in Moko Club activities. Parents and other caregivers are welcome at Moko Club. We invite them to be creative and positive in supporting Moko Club activities.

Moko club encourages the use of both Maori and English languages, and will also incorporate Pacific and other languages if whanau from the pacific or other countries attend.

The term "Moko Club" refers to:
-mokopuna: grandchildren or very young children.
-mokomoko: lizards, Maori symbols for guardians of knowledge.
-Moko: the Maori art of design
-Club: refers to whanau, fun and belonging.

*Through Moko Club tamariki and their whanau learn about:*
-Planting vegetables and flower seeds in punnets to take home and grow.
-Planting kai gardens.
-Planting trees
-Cooking and eating vegetables in interesting ways.
-Making a worm farm and using this in our garden.
-Making healthy meals, breads, vegetables and baking.
-Using fruit, vegetables, plants and birds to learn about colours and numbers.
-Exploring water, to grow living things, tuna and the importance of our Waikato River.
-Catching and identifying insects in our garden in our environment.
-Identifying native plants, native birds in our environment.
-Composting and recycling in our centre.

Mission

To initiate early learning within whanau and ensure tamariki are ready for school.