Our Curriculum
To Tatou Marautanga
Our Philosophy
Here at Little Oaks we follow the principles of Montessori education, carefully preparing an environment where children can learn and develop through investigation and discovery, with guidance from skilled teachers.
The Montessori learning materials are unique and beautiful, each one designed to help the child on the path to developing to his or her full potential. Children develop independence, respect for themselves and others, responsibility and a deep love of learning – qualities that will last a lifetime.
The gardens are full of opportunities for children to learn about the natural world, including taking care of animals and plants. Exploring the outdoor environment stimulates children’s innate curiosity and sense of wonder, resulting in an appreciation and respect for nature.
Our Learning - Montessori Curriculum
Practical Life
Children do real work that is meaningful to them. They prepare food, wash dishes, clean tables and grow plants. They develop independence and concentration, as well as gaining enjoyment from making a contribution, as well as gaining enjoyment from making a contribution to managing their environment.
Language
Through games and the Montessori language materials children learn to identify the sounds within words, and to associate these with letters. Building words then evolves into reading words and learning about grammar.
Sensorial
Children focus attention on colour, shape, size, pattern, texture, sound and smell. They compare and contrast and develop an eye for detail as they explore the environment.
Cultural Studies
Children gain an understanding of life cycles, the continents of the world, magnets, electric circuits, animals, plants and many other aspects of the world around them.
Mathematics
The Montessori mathematics materials enable the child to have fun while learning about increasingly complex mathematical ideas and processes.
Marautanga
Here at Little Oaks, we pride ourselves in implementing a bicultural curriculum. Te Reo Maori me ona tikanga thrives within the routines and rituals of our centre.
Manaakitanga, whakawhanaungatanga and kotahitanga are important values held by our kaiako, supporting a kaupapa Maori lens to learning and development of our tamariki.
These values sit alongside a curriculum in constant development with the collaborations of whanau tangata, local kaitiaki and kaiarahi, and kaiako contributions.
At Little Oaks we support our tamariki to have an understanding and appreciation of te reo me te tikanga Maori by weaving these throughout our curriculum and daily routines.
Te Whāriki
At Little Oaks our learning framework is based on the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum - Te Whāriki, this is the national curriculum document for early childhood education (ECE), to be used with all children from birth to school entry.
Underpinning Te Whāriki is the vision; children are, competent and confident learners and communicators, healthy in mind, body and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging and in the knowledge that they make a valued contribution to society.
The whāriki or woven mat is used as a metaphor for the ECE curriculum, in which four curriculum principles are interwoven with five curriculum strands.
Together, these principles and strands give expression to the vision for children that are at the heart of Te Whāriki. Teachers in our centre weave together the principles and strands, in collaboration with children, parents, whānau and communities.
Te Whāriki is based on Four Principals:
Whakamana | Empowerment
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The early childhood curriculum empowers the child to learn and grow.
Kotahitanga | Holistic Development
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The early childhood curriculum reflects the holistic way children learn and grow.
Whānau tangata | Family and Community
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The wider world of family and community is an integral part of the early childhood curriculum.
Ngā hononga | Relationships
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Children learn through responsive and reciprocal relationships with people, places, and things.
