Welcome to Waiapu Kids Abbotsford
Waiapu Kids Abbotsford is a community-based early childhood centre and service of Anglican Care Waiapu.
We provide quality care and education for up to 33 children in a mixed-age group setting. Our centre is situated just off the main road in Waipawa.
The concepts of ‘tuakana – teina’ and ako are strongly valued at the centre. This is seen in the respectful and reciprocal relationships between teachers, our older tamariki, infants, and toddlers as they learn together and alongside each other in a safe environment, sharing knowledge and experiences. These relationships play an important part in what we believe in, and base our philosophy and teaching practice on.
We value children’s play as the way in which they learn. Teachers facilitate child-led learning experiences, incorporating whānau aspirations and children’s knowledge. Our teachers are committed to enabling children to become lifelong learners, and observe, support, and teach children as they discover the world around them. Teachers capture such treasured experiences in well-documented learning narratives that are shared with whānau.
Our Community
We are strongly connected to our community and regularly take part in events and group outings. We believe these strong links enrich the children’s sense of belonging and identity, as well as providing teachers with invaluable information and resources.
We have weekly excursions to St Peter’s Church with our three- and four-year-olds. This offers a connection to our local parish where the children’s programme provides storytelling and drama as a valuable way for children to learn about and explore values. As part of our curriculum we also have play in the natural surroundings of the parish glebe (the land beside St Peter’s Church). This enables the children to experience learning in the outdoors and connect with nature; fostering risk taking, overcoming challenges, and building resilience.
We have built professional working relationships with local health professionals, learning support, and are part of the Te Angiangi Kahui Ako, a Ministry of Education Community of Learning initiative. These professional relationships serve to support Anglican Care Waiapu’s vison of creating fulfilled lives and connected communities where caring and learning for life are at the heart of what we do.
Our Centre Philosophy
Respect is at the heart of our philosophy and it inspires our teaching.
This is seen in our relationships with whānau, tamariki, community and environment, and strengthened by our Christian values and teaching practice.
We value children’s play as central to the way they learn about the world around them. Different learning experiences and opportunities are provided for children each day to foster their cultural awareness, interests, develop social, emotional, and cognitive skills, and build self-confidence and creativity.
We promote children’s confidence and independence and we have fun together!
Anglican Care Waiapu
We are part of Anglican Care Waiapu (ACW), an organisation delivering a range of social services throughout Bay of Plenty, Eastland, and Hawke’s Bay. You can find out more about ACW here.
All Waiapu Kids services incorporate the following philosophy into our practice and teaching:
“Waiapu Kids early childhood education services believe that each child is unique and created in the image of God. Jesus showed a special care and respect for tamariki. This belief guides our practice and our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, tangata whenua, and the wellbeing of children and their whānau.”
Anglican Care Waiapu is committed to the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi and safeguarding them from harm or abuse. We take our commitment very seriously. Our Child Protection Policy is in line with the Vulnerable Children’s Act 2014 and must be adhered to by all staff and volunteers.
You can read the policy here.