Wesley Kindergarten

Welcome to Wesley Kindergarten, located at 26A O'Donnell Avenue, Auckland, New Zealand. As an establishment and point of interest, our kindergarten is a place where we celebrate and value our tamariki (children). We believe in recognizing and honoring their unique identities, abilities, and cultural backgrounds. From Pasefika language weeks to other special days, we embrace the diversity of our families from around the world.

At Wesley Kindergarten, we also deeply value the bi-cultural heritage of Aotearoa, New Zealand. Alongside this, we celebrate and include other cultures, fostering an environment of inclusivity and acceptance. We believe that a strong cultural identity will not only support our tamariki in their school learning but also in navigating life confidently.

Our kindergarten thrives on whānau connection (family connection) and whanaungatanga (relationships). We have a strong sense of community, where parents and whānau are always welcome and encouraged to participate in kindergarten life. Our whānau love being a part of our activities, from cooking and singing to creating and dancing. The positive relationships we share with our whānau are evident in how quickly their tamariki settle in and the love they receive. All tamariki and their whānau have a place at Wesley Kindergarten!

We prioritize quality learning experiences that value childhood and the power of play. Our teaching team supports the ideas, thoughts, and interests of our tamariki. Whether it's gardening, carpentry, cooking, art, dancing, singing, or storytelling, we provide a rich variety of experiences. Through play, our tamariki see themselves as learners, develop friendships, and further social skills such as sharing, turn-taking, and having fun.

Our dedicated teaching team shares a philosophy of aroha (love) and manaaki (care) for our tamariki. We are passionate about language and recognize the various ways tamariki communicate, whether through art, verbal stories, or non-verbal means. Excursions to places like the Pumphouse and the recycling plant enhance their interests and understanding of the world. We also encourage recycling and sustainable practices at Wesley Kindergarten.

Encouraging tamariki to try new things and cultivate resilience is a core value at our kindergarten. We believe that play lays the foundation for lifelong learning, and we foster an "I'll have a go!" attitude. This strengthens their sense of self and what they can achieve. Our tamariki develop positive learner identities and are treasured taonga (treasures) at Wesley Kindergarten.

Manaakitanga (hospitality and kindness) is a key aspect of our kindergarten. We promote friendships and togetherness through tuakana-teina relationships, where older tamariki take care of younger ones. We also instill the idea that we are all responsible for each other, encouraging acts of kindness and empathy. This creates a safe and secure environment where our older tamariki demonstrate leadership and support their younger peers.

In addition to our holistic approach, we offer specialist care through the implementation of the Incredible Years Teacher Programme. This program supports young children in developing self-regulation, social skills, emotional intelligence, and academic competence.

We are proud to prepare our tamariki for school, focusing on promoting social competency and skills. We accept children from the age of 2 and support their learning journey to ensure they are well-equipped for the transition to primary school. Children enrolling at Wesley Primary School have the opportunity to meet their new entrant's teacher, Miss Rose.

Our teachers are respectful and encouraging, supporting children's play and promoting friendships and tuakana-teina relationships. They are inclusive in their practice, getting to know each child's unique identity within their family, culture, and community.

Our kindergarten hours are from Monday to Friday, 8.30am-2.30pm, and our office hours are from Monday to Friday, 8am-4.45pm. We are closed during term breaks and public holidays.

To stay updated with the happenings in our extended network, head over to our AKA blog. We look forward to welcoming you and your tamariki to Wesley Kindergarten, where we celebrate, nurture, and empower every child.