Pukerua Bay Kindergarten

19/08/2026

Did you know that the Ministerial Advisory Group who are considering the funding changes to ECE does not include a single, registered kaiako, nor does it include any kindergarten, community based or kohanga representation. A huge sector of our ECE providers are not even part of the group making and considering changes to ECE funding.



This is a huge step towards full privatisation of the sector, from a ‘public good’ to a ‘merit good’ which is government funding vs funded by parents.



They say that changes to funding would better support parents to return to work…. How? When private ECE costs are a huge burden on working family’s vs not for profit/kindergarten fee structures; we’re talking the difference of hundreds of dollars per week!



This shift will remove access to quality ECE for some of our lower socioeconomic areas; this shift will dramatically reduce the quality of ECE provided to children; these changes DO NOT consider the impact this will have on tamariki and families and instead focuses on how large organisations can pocket more of our families hard earned money.



Therefore the question is, Is this the first step to fully privatising ALL EDUCATION in New Zealand? It is time to use our voices, use our power to vote and ensure that we are considering not only how this election will affect us as individuals, but the impact this will have on future generations to come.

ECE Funding Under Review: OMEP Aotearoa Responds

17/08/2026

The proposed changes to funding within Early Childhood Education (ECE) will have a wide-reaching effect on everyone who accesses ECE or works as a qualified registered teacher, especially those working in not-for-profit centers (such as kindergartens) or those who actively and intentional hire 100% qualified teachers.

What is clear is that education is not valued in the right way by the current government, with special focus on changing the ECE landscape despite research that supports just how vital education in the early years is!

The impact of these proposed changes will have a substantial effect on the fully qualified with bachelor's degrees, fully registered teachers, some of us may lose our jobs - especially if they remove the funding provided for 100% qualified teachers, others could be paid minimum wage with the removal of ALL pay parity (so not just pay parity between private and public ECE, but the pay parity that Kindergarten has with primary).

We have a world leading ECE Curriculum, yet it feels that we’re not worthy of being called teachers, our bachelor's degrees are not held in high regard, and we can simply be replaced by the untrained, unqualified and inexperienced

This government believes that your children, your grandchildren, your great grandchildren and your mokopuna are not worthy of qualified teachers, or of sufficient funding to do our jobs. This government and the funding review are not even looking at the mass amounts of profit that are being made by large private ECE companies in this country.

We love our jobs! We love TEACHING your tamariki, supporting & helping them grow into strong capable learners but if this government is elected again, it is highly possible that all of this will change, and quickly too.

You and your tamariki matter to us, and because of this we strongly encourage you to enrol to vote (and please vote), ask questions and talk to people about the impact this could have on your whānau and the people that matter to you.

12/08/2026

Spaces available now for children aged between 2 and 5, five days a week 8.30am till 2.30pm. Give us a call on 04 2399442. We'd love to chat!

11/08/2026

Our current government's funding review for ECE could jeopardise all that we support when we put children at the heart of the matter.
We urge you all to take an interest, have your say by voting and come and chat to a kaiako if you are wanting any information.

Affordable, inclusive and high quality early childhood education is essential for tamariki, whānau and our society on the whole to thrive.

But what does high quality ECE actually look like? Research tells us some of the most important aspects of high quality ECE are:

✅ Fully qualified ECE teachers
✅ Good child to teacher ratios
✅ Warm environment where whanau and parents are welcomed
✅ Celebrating and nurturing of language, culture and identity

At Whānau Manaaki, we believe in the right of every child to quality early childhood education.

05/08/2026

Creating on big pieces of paper can change tamariki concept to their creations. As they paint and work together, they develop skills such as fine motor and hand-eye co-ordination and problem-solving skills. Tamariki learn to express their thoughts and emotions through art while building confidence in their abilities. Tamariki were very keen for their artwork to be displayed. This shows that Kaiako value their mahi too.

31/07/2026

Today we had a bit of a sad event at Kindergarten. A beautiful Tui flew into one of our windows. We talked with the Tamariki about what happened and about what we should do with the Tui? We decided we would bury the Tui, make it a name plaque with the name we chose ' Bow tie'. The Tamariki all gathered flowers and leaves to make the Tui a soft bed. Before we finished burying the Tui we said a Karakia together. Through this experience Tamariki learnt about showing respect to the environment about Kaitiakitanga ( Guardianship) and about Tangihanga ( Funeral rituals). By treating the Tui with dignity the Tamariki develop a sense of respect for life and learn about the interconnectedness of the Whenua.

29/07/2026

👇 Your next role starts here!

Le Fale Jobs and Skills Hub are running their second Job Opportunities Seminar TOMORROW! Join Le Fale to hear about roles available right now, learn what employers want, and get hands-on support to apply.

No cost, no pressure, just real opportunities.

Thursday 23rd July, 6pm
Le Fale Jobs and Skills Hub, 8 Warspite Avenue, Cannons Creek, Porirua

We hope to see you there!

24/07/2026

We have spaces available at our kindergarten. You are welcome to pop in and meet the team. Low fees and 20 hours free for 2 - 5 years of age. We are NOW OPEN during the holidays.

24/07/2026

Working alongside each other supports new ideas and allow Tamariki to share their creative thinking. Tamariki recognise and appreciate their own ability to learn showing pride by taking their mahi home or incorporating it into their play throughout the day.

20/07/2026

"I made a phone."
Tamariki are given opportunities to explore and choose resources that support their learning. Kaiako ensure the resources are readily available and provide learning opportunities that support Tamariki play, use their imagination, invent, experiment and put their working theories in action. The carpentry table is one activity that provides challenges and fosters curiosity. Thank you to our families who help us keep the carpentry area topped up with wood and other resources.