Koru Kindergarten: For growth and new beginnings | Taranaki News | Local News in Taranaki

LIKE a young child, Stratford’s Koru Kindergarten is growing and developing quickly, getting ready for life as part of the Stratford Community.
The facility has only been operating since April 19, but already word of its success is spreading.
“We’ve had huge interest and huge support from the community right from the start,” says Koru Kindergarten head teacher, Seraya Hughes.
Le-arna Russ, assistant head teacher agrees adding, “If you are wanting your child to attend Koru Kindergarten, it’s best to get their name onto the waiting list.”
“We’re licensed for up to 30 places and gradually these are being filled up, but we’re certainly in no hurry to crowd the place.
“We feel it’s better for new children and families to be introduced slowly, as we want all the children to feel settled and relaxed in the environment, and as teachers, we want to be able to have the time needed to get to know them and their families really well.”
As soon as the South Taranaki Free Kindergarten Association (STFKA) was given the contract to run the new centre last year, the management team with Seraya and Le-arna got stuck into the planning and setting-up of the new facility, all guided by what they believed was right for Stratford’s youngsters.
“Obviously, we all had our own ideas about what we thought would work well as individual professionals and we all had a chance to put our two-cents-worth in.
“We also had to consider how best to serve the needs of those students in the Teen Parent Unit (TPU) whose children would also be coming to us. They need quiet time and space to learn in their classroom, as well as easy access to their children during the day for feeding and bonding.”
With all this in mind, gradually the identity of Koru Kindergarten was developed and plans implemented.
“We cater for children from six weeks of age right up to those about to head off to school. This represents a hugely varied array of education and care needs.
“Fortunately, we have a lot of experience on the staff and the months we have spent in planning have given us plenty of opportunity for further professional development. All our teachers are highly-skilled and fully versed in the philosophy of our kindergarten.
Koru Kindergarten is a non-profit organisation, meaning all money received goes directly back into the running of the kindergarten. The Kindergarten is governed by the STFKA who are responsible for the overall governance and management of all Central and South Taranaki kindergartens.
“The association is also responsible for recruiting and employing the teachers in the association and they administer professional guidance and feedback, when and if required.”
Koru Kindergarten’s teaching staff are all full-time, and Seraya is delighted the child to teacher ratio is of such high quality.
“For our Under-1s, it’s a 1:3 ratio, for 1 to 2 year olds, it’s 1:4, and for our older children, it’s 1:7.”
Like all kindergartens, Koru offers half-day and afternoon session times. More unusually, Koru offers full-day service every day as well, if that’s what families need. Full-day hours run from 8.30am-3.30pm during term time.
“We have sleeping facilities and our cook, Wendy, prepares good and healthy food for the children.”
Because the facility is purpose-built, everything that could be done, has been done to make it an up-to-date, safe and private operation; all designed with little hands, little feet and hungry brains in mind.
“Respect for each individual child is central to our philosophy. Children’s individual interests guide us. If people need to know more, they’re welcome to just come down and have a chat with us,” says Seraya.
Drop them a line on 765 6051.