About us and our programme

Ngahina Kindergarten was established on the Kapiti Coast in 1974 and has provided education and care for thousands of tamariki over the last fifty years.

The teaching team put tamariki and relationships at the heart of all their decisions – creating a nurturing, respectful, inclusive and trusting environment that encourages play, curiosity, wonder and fun.

The kaiako (teachers) cherish their connections with whānau and the broader community and are keen to help tamariki develop a felt sense of safety and belonging. They offer a whānau model of education and care which supports siblings and whānau groups to attend together learning from and with each other.

At the heart of the kindergarten is a living Kaupapa that reflects what matters most to tamariki, whānau, and kaiako.  It is shaped by whānau and kaiako aspirations, shared values, knowledge of the local area, connections to mana whenua, and the diverse cultures, languages, and identities within the early childhood community.

The team see the value in creating an environment with consistent predictable routines to support the learning and development of tamariki, enabling tamariki to engage in play and make their own decisions supported by consistent rhythms to the day.  

The kindergarten has a large grassy outside space for tamariki to explore as well as a māra kai (a veggie garden) that they share with the local kura.  Tamariki enjoy regular excursions within the local community – with weekly trips to the local whare pukapuka (library) and the new entrant class at Kapiti School.

The teaching team is 100% qualified and registered.  They bring with them a range of knowledge and lived experiences including qualifications and training in Early Childhood and Relational Neuroscience, Te Reo Māori, Speech and Language, Social and Emotional Learning, The Arts, Music, Early Intervention, First Aid, and Child Protection (among other things).

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