Our Centre Community Philosophy:
Our tamariki are our taonga, held in the highest esteem. Tamaiti mana and uniqueness are respected as tamariki are supported to thrive as confident, capable learners and communicators, secure in their sense of belonging at the centre, in the local community and the wider world. We value and encourage the development of real life social skills, fostering a culture of friendship, inclusion, fairness and kindness as tamariki gain and learn about independence and reciprocal relationships.
Whānaungatanga is a core foundation as we nurture respectful, reciprocal relationships with whānau and our community to create a unique local curriculum. Our small group size and welcoming, homelike environment enhances tamariki and whānau sense of belonging at Islington. We acknowledge that parents are the ‘experts’ on their tamaiti and our doors are always open for Islington whānau. Their engagement is valued and encouraged in both tamaiti learning and Centre participation.
We honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ao Māori by weaving Te Reo and tikanga Māori into our learning, encouraging tamariki to celebrate our bicultural heritage. Te Whare Tapa Whā is used as a reference for the holistic wellbeing of our treasured community. As a multicultural community, we value and celebrate each child's first language, unique culture and traditions, creating connections with their home life and honouring whānau aspirations for their tamaiti.
We aspire for our tamariki to become Kaitiakitanga - guardians of Papatūānuku with a deep connection to nature and a commitment to nurturing and caring for our planet.
Our programme incorporates free and structured play to provide tamariki with fun, rich learning experiences. We provide a safe, stimulating environment that encourages and values curiosity, exploration and resilience, supporting a foundation for lifelong learning, success and happiness.
Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu
Be it ever so small, it is precious as jade
You can find a link to our Education Review Office report here.
Growth Through Community
The DCW was a feminist group active in Dunedin, New Zealand, in the 1970s. Set up as an umbrella organisation for special interest groups and projects, its four foundational aims were:
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Equal Pay
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Quality Childcare
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Women's control of their own bodies
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Ending Sex Stereotyping
Keep reading about the growth and history of our Centre by clicking the button below!
1973 - Dunedin Collective for Women
The founding eight members:
Denny Boothe
Jocelyn Harris
Pat Lawson
Andrée Lévesque
Judith Medlicott
Edith Mercier
Penny Moore
Diana Strang
"The Centre was only one of the Collective's many activities. Members with children were obviously more involved than others. The fact that the Collective had no organising executive encouraged individual women to take initiatives. They were passionate a group of dedicated, energetic parents, frustrated by the scarcity of established and quality pre-school centres, is endeavouring to open an independent centre with a difference."
—Jocelyn Harris