Starting Line Philosophy Statement

Vision

It takes a whole village to raise a child. Our vision is to create an inclusive and warm atmosphere for the educators, families and children to feel empowered and inspired in a respectful and genuine relationship.  Regardless of ethnicity, gender, age, ability, social status or family structure, our vision is to design and implement a programme of learning and development that reflects individual child’s interest and strength,  and supports each child’s personalised learning pathway in order to reach their best potential.

 

Image of a Child

 

At Starting Line, children are considered as competent, capable and confident learners and communicators. They are born as self-explorers of full curiosity to encounter with the surrounding people and environment. At Starting Line, we aim to foster children’s holistic development through overarching learning experiences.

 

Value of Relationships 

The positive relationship with parents is always highly valued at Starting Line. Their voices, aspirations and expectations are always being heard here and weaved into part of the programme. 

 

The respectful relationship between adults and children, between children themselves are fundamental principles here with aroha to form genuine relationships, empowering children to be given opportunities to explore, to know who they are, to think critically and develop independently. 

 

The first 1000 days are extremely paramount for children’s brain development, which are scientifically proven as one intimate, responsive and respectful caregiver is the key person to empower their thinking and learning, support them reach their potential. Educators, coordinators and parents will be collaboratively working together to achieve the best learning outcome for our children.

 

Environment

Relationship is not only the relationship between the people, also between the people and environment, people and resources. Therefore, our physical inside and outside environment will be always maintained safe, peaceful but cognitively challenging for the individual child at their own appropriate development stages. 

 

The special and unique feature of an in-home learning environment is that children could feel the real and comfort home setting away from home, allowing children space and time to learn real life experiences and find their inner strengths. Children will experience a consistent, predictable routine and rituals which will enhance their belonging, overall well beings as well as the way they could contribute their efforts.

 

Community

Excursions connecting to the community will be a norm with well prepared safety planning and documentation at Starting Line. Expanding to explore the neighbourhood community environment will allow children affirming their identity, familiarizing with the people and the wider world, spark their curiosity and interest in learning new things of unfamiliar environment. Children will enrich their opportunity to participate and the role of being global citizens.

 

Biculturalism

At Starting Line, we are teaching our tamariki as New Zealanders, we live in a society where recognises Maori as tangata whenua. Coordinators and educators assume a shared obligation for protecting Te Reo and tikanga. We work collaboratively to ensure our Maori tamariki are successful learners.

 

Multi-culture

We ensure to respect children and whanau from diverse cultures, acknowledging their cultural identities as well as celebrating their cultural events. Their home languages will be heard and cultural values will be respected to enhance their sense of belonging at Starting Line.