Our curriculum is inspired by a range of internationally recognised approaches, including Reggio Emilia, RIE and Montessori, bringing together ideas that support children to be confident, capable and curious learners.
RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers) influences our approach to respectful caregiving and relationships. We see children as capable participants in their own care and learning, giving them time, space and genuine opportunities to communicate, explore and develop independence.
Reggio Emilia influences our focus on children as capable learners, learning through relationships, creativity, exploration and their environment. We value children’s ideas and interests and use these as a foundation for meaningful learning experiences.
Montessori influences our focus on independence, practical life skills and learning through hands-on experiences. We encourage children to make choices, take responsibility and engage with materials and experiences at their own pace.
Together, these influences contribute to a curriculum that is child-led, respectful, intentional and focused on developing confident, capable learners.
0-2 Years: Pīwakawakwa Room
The Pīwakawakwa Room is a calm and respectful space with RIE- and Montessori-inspired practices. Here, our youngest tamariki are supported to learn and explore at their own pace, with responsive and respectful caregiving at the heart of their day. The environment is thoughtfully prepared to encourage gentle, unhurried discovery, with opportunities for safe physical movement, sensory exploration and developing independence. Simple, purposeful resources allow tamariki to make choices, practise emerging skills and build confidence within a strong sense of belonging.
2-3 Years: Kiwi Room
The Kiwi Room is a warm, thoughtfully prepared space for children aged 2–3 years, where tamariki are encouraged to develop confidence, independence and social skills with the support of their teachers. Inspired by Reggio Emilia and Montessori principles, the environment acts as a “third teacher”, with open-ended materials, hands-on experiences and opportunities for children to make choices and learn through doing. Practical life experiences, sensory investigations and nature exploration encourage tamariki to develop concentration, coordination and a growing sense of responsibility for themselves and their environment.
3-4 Years: Tūī Room
The Tūī Room is an engaging and creative space designed for curious 3–4-year-olds. Here, tamariki are supported to ask questions, collaborate with peers and explore their emerging interests. Inspired by Reggio Emilia and Montessori principles, the environment encourages inquiry through hands-on projects, open-ended resources, imaginative play and purposeful learning experiences. Tamariki are given opportunities to make choices, practise independence and develop practical skills, while teachers work alongside them as co-learners, supporting problem-solving, concentration and confidence.
4-5 Years: Pūkeko Room
The Pūkeko Room is a purposeful learning environment that supports our older tamariki as they prepare for the transition to school. Children aged 4–5 are encouraged to take on new challenges, make decisions and take increasing ownership of their learning. Reggio Emilia and Montessori influences can be seen through our focus on independence, practical life skills, hands-on learning and children having meaningful choices within a carefully prepared environment. Tamariki explore early literacy and numeracy, self-help skills, social development, science and nature, creative experiences and more, while building the confidence, concentration and independence they will carry with them into school.
