Bellevue Kindergarten

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.

Ngā mihi
Kaiako Sandra
(shared from Pukerua Bay Kindergarten)

Exploration / Mana Aotūroa

The child learns through active exploration of the environment. Here at Bellevue Kindergarten Children experience an environment where their play is valued as meaningful learning and the importance of spontaneous play is recognized.

Ngā mihi
Kaiako Trish

Kia orana whānau!
This week we have spent time learning about Cook Island culture and language as part of Cook Islands language week. The theme this year has been "me kite koe i te tuatua i to'ou reo tupuna, e turanga rangatira tena nō'ou no te uki amuri atu" - "With our language as our foundation we will embrace the future".

We are lucky enough to have Alexia working with us at the moment and she was very happy to share her cultural knowledge and expertise with the tamariki, we read stories and sang songs to learn new words in te reo Māori Kūki 'Airani as well.

Part of the Wellbeing strand of our curriculum, Te Whāriki, talks about tamariki demonstrating "a sense of personal worth and cultural identity" and this week has provided the opportunity for us all to learn and show curiosity together.

100 Days Until Election Day

The next election is now just 100 days away. If you are eligible to vote, make sure your enrolment details are up to date before the enrolment deadline on 25 October.

Who can vote?
In New Zealand, you can enrol and vote if you are 18 years or older, are a New Zealand citizen or resident for electoral purposes, and have lived in New Zealand continuously for 12 months or more at some point in your life. If you're 17, you can enrol now and will be automatically enrolled when you turn 18. New Zealanders living overseas may also be eligible to vote if they meet certain requirements. [vote.nz], [govt.nz]

Voting is an important way to have your say on the issues that matter to you, your whānau, and your community. Take time to learn about the policies and priorities of the parties and candidates standing for election, and make an informed decision based on the issues that are important to you.

Check your enrolment status and update your details if needed. Encourage your friends, whānau, and colleagues to do the same so everyone who is eligible has the opportunity to participate.

Your vote, your voice. Enrol before 25 October.

Ngā mihi
Kaiako Sandra

Welcome to Term 3! Gosh, time flies when you're having fun.

Sharing, helping, and cooperating are key skills for working and playing positively together that we support tamariki to develop everyday. The following fabulous photos capture these important values in action as our tamariki learn and grow together.

We are looking forward to another wonderful term of learning, friendship, and fun.

Ngā mihi
Kaiako Trish

Kia ora whānau!
What a beautiful way to end the season of Matariki as we came together in community to feast, sing, and spend time together last night! The team were so appreciative of the 70+ whanau who came, brought such great food and enjoyed listening to their beautiful tamariki singing. The star hunt was a highlight for many, wishes were shared and family photos taken - a huge thanks to Billie for being so willing to share her talents with us! We can't wait till next year! Manawatia a Matariki!

Kia ora whānau!

This week we have continued to learn about the stars of Matariki as we take opportunities to play outside when Ururangi (the star connected to wind), and Waipunarangi (the star connected to rain) have let us. We've used the apples gifted to us by Bellevue school to explore the connection to Tupuārangi (the star connected to fruits above the earth) and made yummy stewed apple and apple cake to keep our puku full and warm. We've also been busy creating artworks that explore the stars of Waitī and Waitā (the stars connected to fresh and salt water). Manawatia a Matariki!

Ngā mihi
Kaiako Anne

Kia ora Whānau,

We have put up a poster by the sign-in sheets with a QR code to access this year's ECE Parents and Whānau Survey from our teacher union NZEI.

This is a short survey that takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. Most of the questions are multiple choice and ask for your opinions about the quality of early childhood education in New Zealand.

We would greatly appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to complete the survey.

Thank you ☺️

Ngā mihi nui
Kaiako Sandra

Kia ora whānau 🌿
Phrase of the Week: “Koia kei koe” – Good on you! 👏

Developing empathy is supported when tamariki are part of an inclusive community where diversity and difference are celebrated, and manaakitanga sits at the heart of what we do 💛

We’ve had another wonderful week here at Bellevue Kindergarten! The photos capture our tamariki having fun, building friendships, and actively engaging in our programme 😊

Koia kei koe, tamariki – good on you all! ✨
Ngā mihi
Kaiako Trish

Kia ora whānau!

We are ready and waiting to start learning about Matariki, the Māori New Year, together! Stories, waiata, puzzles, games and art works are all waiting to be explored and created as we learn about this very special time of the year. Your tamariki will have lots to share with you over the coming month as we learn alongside each other. One of the learning outcomes of our curriculum, Te Whāriki is that "Over time and with guidance and encouragement, children become increasingly capable of: making connections between people, places and things in their world" - this is the very essence of Matariki!

He aha te mea nui o te ao? - he tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata!

What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people!