Giving Every Child the Opportunity to be a 'Kindy Kid'
- Kidsfirst
- Jun 17, 2021
- 1 min read
Engaged Award Winner – Kidsfirst Cashmere
Creating a learning environment that is right for every child has always been at the heart of the kindergarten philosophy.
“We believe that every child should have the opportunity to be a ‘kindy kid’, but for some tamariki and whānau, it’s not always easy,” says Kidsfirst Cashmere Head Teacher, Kylie Burrell.
“We have always provided respectful learning environments and a collaborative learning community for all, but in 2020 we wanted to go further in understanding the needs of children with additional learning needs and in promoting inclusion.”
Kylie says the team wanted to offer a supportive learning environment for everyone at the kindergarten, especially for those who needed extra support.
“We worked with our Learning Support Leader; Conductive Education, Blind and Low Vision Education Network NZ (BLENNZ), Epilepsy New Zealand, and the whānau of our learners to ensure we were able to meet their complex health and learning requirements.”
Kylie says kaiako gained new skills, and the increased focus on diverse learning has equipped the team to support tamariki with additional needs in the future.
“We are so proud that these special children attend our kindergarten and that their families can say that their very special child is a Kindy Kid’.”