Kids Kingdom sets the standard

Complimentary ERO reports are not uncommon in the Far North, but Kids Kingdom at Awanui has achieved a benchmark that only one other institution in Northland - Kerikeri's Springbank School - has made.

So Des Tipene, senior adviser licensing and certification for the Ministry of Education from Wellsford north, told Kids Kingdom founders and directors Reo Lanigan and Gina Frape last week, adding that that put the centre in a class of two amongst the 209 services he was responsible for.

Ms Frape said there were several keys to success, one being committed, qualified staff who had "done the hard yards." Another was building and maintaining relationships with whanau.

"Some whanau have their fifth child here, 16 years after we started," she said.

Some of the first graduates were now about to embark upon their university studies, she added, and thought was being given to launching a Facebook page to find out what had become of Kids Kingdom old boys and girls.

Ms Lanigan noted that the centre had a very good relationship with Awanui School, immediately next door, which was of enormous benefit to children as they made the transition from pre-school to primary school.

"That's about relationships too. They are the foundation of everything really," she said, while Mr Tipene said the centre's success was built on a very good culture and practices.Well placedThe latest ERO review, confirmed in November, found that Kids Kingdom was 'very well placed' to promote positive learning outcomes.

The vision was to be an extension of families and whanau, and to work together to nurture and empower children to become lifelong learners. That vision was clearly evident in the documentation, programme and relationships.

The centre's philosophy acknowledged New Zealand's bi-cultural heritage and reflected the partnership of te Tiriti o Waitangi, while the owners were actively involved in the centre's management and governance, and provided very good support to the supervisor who was responsible for daily operations.

"Kids Kingdom provides a respectful, inclusive environment that values children as individuals and as competent, capable learners," it continued.

"Good relationships and friendships are evident between children and between teachers and children. Children engage in spontaneous play of their choice. There is a sense of enthusiasm..."

The children's portfolios enabled teachers and families to clearly identify children's interests and the progress they had made towards meeting their individual goals. The teachers continually reflected on how best to support the children's learning, and every six months, with input from staff, families and whanau, the teachers formally evaluated how well each child had been supported.

The programme responded very effectively to the interests, strengths and abilities of all children. It was specifically planned to align with parent aspirations, and was responsive to children's culture, identity and language.

The children had good social and self-help skills, had a strong interest in inquiry and were being well prepared for school.

The centre's philosophy was that it was every child's birthright to have te reo me ona tikanga Maori incorporated into their daily lives.

The centre provided opportunities for children to be physically active and to challenge themselves, those opportunities catering well for the large number of boys currently enrolled.