Hataitai Kindergarten

Construction activities engage both creative and mathematical thinking, where tamariki can express their imagination while also developing working theories. Each day kaiako are intentional about providing open-ended resources that have no fixed purpose, so children can freely experiment, test and modify ideas, and try new approaches. These rich, self-directed experiences often become catalysts for collaborative learning that invite turn taking, active listening, and valuing the aspirations of others - demonstrating the strands of Mana Reo through communication and Mana Aotūroa through exploration - ECE curriculum Te Whāriki.

Practising our fire and earthquake drills each month provides tamariki with the knowledge and confidence to respond safely in an emergency. This supports Manaakitanga, as children learn to care for themselves and others, and Ngā Hononga, as they work together and follow shared routines. It reflects Ako, where children actively participate in learning important safety skills, and Kaitiakitanga, as they begin to understand their role in keeping themselves, others, and their environment safe.

MATARIKI DISCO - come dressed in your dancing clothes
Friday 3rd July
5pm - 6.30pm

BYO dinner/refreshments

There will be crafts, face paint, dessert on offer also

Parent survey - an opportunity to share your views.

A popular pukapuka, My Cat Likes to Hide in Boxes, beautifully reflects the play experiences of tamariki at Hataitai Kindergarten.
Boxes provide rich opportunities for open-ended play, where children’s exploration is valued, meaningful, and sustained.

This kind of play strongly connects to Exploration | Mana Aotūroa, as tamariki investigate, imagine, and problem-solve through their play. It also supports Communication | Mana Reo, as children express ideas, share stories, and develop language through their imaginative use of boxes. Working alongside others nurtures Contribution | Mana Tangata, as tamariki collaborate, negotiate roles, and build shared understandings. In this environment, children develop confidence and independence, reflecting Empowerment | Whakamana, as they lead their own learning and extend their ideas over time.

Te Whāriki is a world-leading curriculum that supports an empowering environment where children have agency to create and act on their own ideas, while developing skills and knowledge in areas of personal interest. Simple, but intentional provocations set out on a table can support a range of needs and capabilities - from early literacy skills of tracing, pencil control, scissor use and drawing to fostering learning dispositions of taking an interest and giving it ago. It is exciting to celebrate the learning of each child as they practice, build confidence, learn processes and complete their mahi.

Samoan Language week - this has been a great opportunity to discover and learn new songs. Head & Shoulders, Welcome song and Le'Aute. Our Samoan nursing student Toaiva was very supportive at helping us to develop our pronunciation, and Whaea Rhiannon (reliever) and Serah with teaching us new actions in sign language.
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The toy maker, Martin came to visit us and helped the tamariki build wooden boats. Our tamariki had so much fun learning new skills, working together, and engaging in this hands-on mahi.
Thank you, Martin!

This week, we had a special visit from Emma and Harold the giraffe from life education trust, who came to talk with the tamariki about feelings and shared that through the legend of how Māui brought fire to the world, which the children really enjoyed listening to.
Thank you, Emma for visiting Hatatai kindergarten.

Games of noughts and crosses outdoors sparked lots of smiles and thinking as children took turns and planned their moves. They were naturally building their literacy, maths, and problem solving skills through this interactive and slightly competitive play.