Don Buck Kindergarten

Welcome to Don Buck Kindergarten, located on Don Buck Road in Auckland, New Zealand. As soon as you step through our gates, you'll feel the warm and welcoming atmosphere that makes our kindergarten feel like a home away from home. At Don Buck Kindergarten, children are at the heart of everything we do.

We are a convenient and flexible option for families, as we welcome children aged 2 to 6 years old and are open from 8.30am to 3.30pm. This is perfect for families needing longer days and for those with school-aged children. Our location right next to the school allows for easy drop off and pick up, as we share a large car park with them. Our extended hours also make it easier for families juggling the schedules of older children.

One of the highlights of our kindergarten is our amazing outdoor space. We have a beautiful, large garden that provides plenty of room for children to run, explore, and connect with nature. They enjoy going on bug hunts, picking flowers, and learning to care for our environment. Our dedicated teachers work alongside the children to grow fruits and vegetables, which they then harvest, cook, and share with our kindergarten community. Additionally, we have a large playground with swings and various outdoor equipment that promote the development of strength, coordination, and balance.

At Don Buck Kindergarten, we believe in learning through play. We provide a wide range of fantastic learning resources for children to explore and engage with. Our high-quality wooden toys encourage imaginative play and foster friendships among the children. We also offer loose parts resources that promote open-ended learning, allowing children to use their imagination and problem-solving skills. This approach supports the development of communication, negotiation, and social skills as they play together.

We understand that each child is on their own unique learning journey, and we take pride in our ability to support and nurture their individual needs. Our experienced teachers provide individualized support to ensure every child feels valued and supported. For our younger children, we acknowledge the extra care they require as they settle into kindy and grow their sense of belonging and confidence. We also foster tuakana-teina relationships, where older children learn to care for their younger peers, promoting a sense of manaakitanga. Each child's learning journey is documented and shared with families through Storypark, our online portfolio.

Developing social and emotional skills is a crucial aspect of our kindergarten program. We place great importance on supporting children in developing these skills, as they will continue to build upon them throughout their lives. When children leave us for school, they have developed the necessary skills to communicate with others, make friends, share, show resilience, and express their feelings. These skills set them up for success in their future educational endeavors.

Don Buck Kindergarten has a long-standing presence in our community and enjoys a strong connection with Don Buck Primary School, which is right next door. We support children with their transitions to school through regular visits and collaborations with the primary school. We also join them in exciting celebrations such as Matariki, which helps familiarize the children with the school environment and boosts their confidence as they move on to the next stage of their learning journey.

Our teachers recognize and value the diversity of our community, and we are committed to reflecting diverse cultures in our daily programs. We have a strong partnership with the neighboring school, which supports smooth and seamless transitions for children and families. Our teachers carefully design the daily program, setting up both indoor and outdoor environments to support children's interests and facilitate their learning.

Kindergarten hours are from Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 3.30pm, and our office hours are from Monday to Friday, 8am to 4.45pm. We are closed during term breaks and public holidays. To stay updated on what's happening in our extended network, head over to our AKA blog.

At Don Buck Kindergarten, we are dedicated to providing a nurturing and enriching environment where children can thrive and grow. Come and join our kindergarten family today!