Noku Te Ao

The foundation of our philosophy resides in the name ‘Nōku Te Ao’ – meaning ‘The World is Mine’.

For if the world is mine, if I am the master of my universe, if I control those things within my realm that are reasonable and possible for me to influence, then the ultimate responsibility for my destiny, my happiness, and my life, is mine.

Another way of viewing this is as my/your/our own personal Tino Rangatiratanga.

In setting up a childcare centre guided by this philosophy, it means that;

1. We will endeavour to give each tamaiti at the centre exposure to as many things that their world has to offer – so that they grow with the knowledge that it is possible to achieve anything
2. Any goal they wish to achieve is attainable; a ‘can do’ attitude in the face of any and all opposition
3. We will undertake to give tamariki every experience, every skill we can in order to expand and enhance their learning capabilities
4. We are committed to the continuing use and encouragement of te reo and tikanga Maori. To this end, te reo and tikanga Maori will be promoted at all times by staff to all tamariki, but not to the extent of limiting or excluding any experiences from other cultures or from non-speakers of te reo Maori
5. We have a commitment to encouraging self esteem, confidence, creativity and independence in every tamaiti by fostering the physical, intellectual, emotional and social development of each tamaiti
6. We aim to provide a quality preschool in a whānau environment where our tamariki are respected and valued as individuals and where their rights to personal dignity, to equitable opportunities for participation, to protection from physical, mental or emotional abuse and injury, and to opportunities for leisure and rest are safeguarded.
7. We encourage an environment of challenging current beliefs and customary practices (including Tikanga Maori) to ensure that we teach our tamariki, and that we ourselves learn, ‘how to think’ rather than ‘what to think’. He taiao ihu mānea.
8. We encourage thinking outside the square, always looking for better ways to do things (including teaching curriculum), and being open to learning from other people

This philosophical approach is a statement of doctrine, values and tenets designed to improve the lives of our tamariki and ourselves. These are the principles foundations that established Nōku Te Ao Charitable Trust. This philosophy is not only a statement of “what” we wish to achieve, but more importantly it is a statement of “why” Nōku Te Ao was established.

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