The Cottage Kindergarten

Welcome to The Cottage Kindergarten, located in the beautiful Waimauku | Muriwai Countryside of New Zealand. Our establishment is more than just a school - it is a point of interest and a place where children can develop a deep connection to the outdoors and learn about the world around them.

At The Cottage Kindergarten, we believe in fostering a love and respect for our planet and the people who share it with us. We are proud to be part of the Enviroschool network, which aims to create a generation of individuals who instinctively think and act sustainably. We are committed to mindfully managing waste and resources, ensuring that our environment is sustainable for future generations.

Our teachers are empowered to teach with heart, head, and gentle hands. We go beyond traditional teaching methods and strive to unlock the unique potential within each child through their play. We believe that children learn best when they are truly seen and deeply heard, which is why we provide a calm and unhurried environment where they can be present and engage in meaningful learning experiences.

Each child at The Cottage Kindergarten has a dedicated teacher who guides their unique learning journey. We work in partnership with families and whanau to ensure that each child feels a strong sense of belonging and knows that their thoughts and opinions matter. With qualified and experienced teachers, a low child-teacher ratio, and a maximum of 34 children, we provide a nurturing and supportive environment for every child.

Learning at The Cottage Kindergarten is authentic, engaging, and joyful. We believe in nurturing children's physical, mental, emotional, social, cultural, and spiritual development, allowing them to fulfill their greatest potential. Our thoughtfully designed learning materials and resources support children as capable and competent learners, encouraging exploration, imagination, and independent thinking.

Respect, kindness, and joy are at the heart of everything we do at The Cottage Kindergarten. Our commitment to positive learning outcomes for children has been recognized by the Education Review Office, who found that we are very well placed to promote these outcomes. Our children are confident, responsive, and articulate learners who use literacy, art, and science for real purposes. They lead their own learning, collaborate with their peers, and actively explore their environment.

We prioritize strategies that enable children to become independent and capable learners, working well with others and actively engaging in their learning. Our team of dedicated teachers has developed strong relationships with parents and whanau, believing in the importance of partnerships in children's education. We provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for all children and their families, with a particular focus on supporting children with additional needs.

At The Cottage Kindergarten, our teachers skillfully engage children in play that prompts collaboration and investigation of ideas. We believe that the learning environment plays a crucial role in teaching, and we are committed to bicultural practices. Our teachers constantly interact with children, using open questions to facilitate conversations and challenge their thinking. We value children's competence and empower them to make their own decisions.

We have built a culture of professionalism, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Our focus is always on positive outcomes for children, and we are dedicated to ongoing evaluation and improvement. We invite you to join our community at The Cottage Kindergarten, where learning is authentic, engaging, and joyful.