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Kaiako-Whānau Hui
Parents and whānau play a vital role in children's education. At BestStart Wattle Downs, we believe that a strong relationship with our families is fundamental to delivering high-quality early childhood education. Effective communication fosters trust, supports children’s development, and creates a collaborative environment that builds positive relationships for everyone involved.
That is why we ensure our parents are actively involved and well-informed about what’s happening at the centre and their child’s progress. We are committed to developing genuinely responsive and reciprocal relationships with families, where teachers and whānau work together to make curriculum decisions about children’s learning.
Beyond daily updates and Individual Learning Plans, we maintain open communication through casual conversations, centre celebrations, and interactions during drop-offs and pick-ups. Additionally, we held a dedicated kaiako-whānau hui on Thursday, 20th February 2025. During this teacher-parent meeting, families received updates on their child’s developmental milestones and had the opportunity to share their aspirations for the year. Kaiako addressed any questions and provided support to ensure families felt heard and valued.
Parental participation in early childhood education is linked to increased achievement, self-esteem, motivation, and well-being in children. It also plays a crucial role in supporting and maintaining children’s culture and languages. Strong school-whānau partnerships enable teachers to better understand children’s home experiences, fostering higher-quality learning interactions. Likewise, families gain skills and confidence to enhance their child’s learning at home, creating a seamless connection between home and the early childhood setting.
At BestStart Wattle Downs, we are dedicated to keeping families informed, engaged, and confident in the care their child receives. After all, it takes a village to raise a child. Together, let’s support our tamariki in unlocking and achieving their highest potential.