Kiwi Educare

At Kiwi Educare, our tamariki absolutely love sensory play! From exploring different textures and colours to scooping, pouring, squishing, and creating! Sensory experiences bring so much joy, curiosity, and learning into our environment. 🌈🖐️

Sensory play is such an important part of early childhood education as it supports the development of fine motor skills, language, problem-solving, creativity, and social connections. It also helps tamariki build confidence as they explore the world around them through hands-on learning.

He kura tangata, he kura whakangungu - A treasure of people, a treasure of learning ✨

Some of you may have noticed in one of our previous posts these yummy pastry treats! Safe to say, they are definitely a fan favourite amongst our tamariki! 😋

Our homemaker has kindly shared the recipe for these tasty Apple Square treats so that you could make them at home too!

Ingredients:
- 3 apples
- 2 teaspoons jam (we use strawberry, but any flavour works!)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence
- Puff pastry sheets

Method:
- Grate the apples and use a paper towel to drain any excess liquid. Place into a large bowl.
- Add the jam, cinnamon, and vanilla essence to the grated apples.
- Mix all ingredients together until well combined.
- Spread the mixture onto one sheet of puff pastry and cover with another sheet of pastry.
- Cut into squares and use a fork to poke small holes into the top layer.
- Place onto a baking tray lined with baking paper.
- Bake at 180–200°C for 15–25 minutes, or until golden brown. 🥐🍎

Our tamariki absolutely love going over to Puketawhero Park! 🌿☀️

The fresh air, the opportunity to play alongside their peers, and engaging in a range of physical activities always brings so much joy and excitement. It’s wonderful to see their confidence, teamwork, and energy shine through while they explore and stay active together.

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini - My strength is not as an individual, but as a collective.

We are so grateful for these opportunities that support our tamariki to learn, grow, and thrive together. 💚

We are so lucky to have such an amazing homemaker in our centre who always makes sure our tamariki are fed with healthy, high-quality, and yummy kai every single day. From fresh fruit platters, pita pockets, pikelets, to homemade muffins, she does it all with so much love and care. 🥰

He kai kei aku ringa — There is food at the end of my hands. ❤️

It never goes unnoticed how much time and effort goes into making nourishing food that keeps our tamariki happy, healthy, and full 💛

Our tamariki have been busy exploring, creating, learning, and having fun through a wide range of activities lately 🌿🎨✨

From messy play and colourful painting experiences to colour matching games, creative playdough creations, learning about Tangaroa, gardening, and so much more! Every activity helps nurture curiosity, confidence, and connection. We love seeing our tamariki express themselves, discover new skills, and enjoy hands-on learning together 💚

Poipoia te kākano kia puāwai - Nurture the seed and it will blossom.

Thank you to our whānau for your continued support as we create meaningful learning experiences for our tamariki every day 🌱

Celebrating Mother’s Day with aroha 💐

Our tamariki were very busy creating some beautiful gifts to help celebrate the special wāhine in their lives. Together, they made delicious cheese biscuits, savoury and vegetarian muffins, coffee sachets, and homemade body scrub!

It was such a special way for our tamariki to show appreciation for the mothers, grandmothers, aunties, mother figures, and caregivers who support and nurture them every day.

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini - My strength is not that of an individual, but that of the collective.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing māmā and caregivers in our community 🌸

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Vinnies Te Ngae for their generous donation of these beautiful dresses. Our tamariki are absolutely delighted, and it’s so special to see the happiness and pride they feel wearing them. Your generosity has made a meaningful impact

He iti rā, he iti pounamu— although it may seem small, it is of great value.

We are incredibly grateful for your support and aroha. Ngā mihi nui 💛

Over the past few months, we have been learning about the Māori atua Ranginui and Papatūānuku, and their special connection as sky father and earth mother. Through these stories, our tamariki have been exploring the importance of caring for our natural world and understanding our role as kaitiaki.

To bring this learning to life, we took a trip to Puketāwhero Park for a hands-on experience. While enjoying the beauty of the outdoors, our tamariki worked together to collect rubbish and help care for the environment. It was wonderful to see them showing respect for Papatūānuku and putting their learning into action.

Ngā tamariki did an amazing job, demonstrating teamwork, responsibility, and pride in looking after our whenua 🌿

Toitū te whenua, whatungarongaro te tangata - The land remains while people come and go

This reminds us of the importance of protecting and preserving our environment for future generations 💚

Today we’ve been taking time to remember and reflect as ANZAC Day approaches. ❤️

We’ve baked traditional ANZAC biscuits, created a wreath, and made poppies with each one a small act of remembrance for those who served and sacrificed.

Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou — We will remember them.

Lest we forget. 🌺

Our tomato plant has been flourishing in the garden lately! 🍅🌱

The tamariki get so excited whenever it’s time to pick the cherry tomatoes with their little hands carefully choosing the ripest ones.
Moments like these make the māra (garden) feel extra special ❤️

He kai kei aku ringa - There is food at the end of my hands.

A beautiful reminder of the rewards that come from patience, care, and working together 🌿