On Friday 13th December 2024, manuhiri from Enviroschools, Kidzcorner Miramar, Johnsonville School and Te Rotomāra o Ngā Tamariki – Khandallah Kindergarten supported Daisies Early Education & Care Centre to celebrate their holistic reflection and whanake ki mua, moving to the next level in their journey.
As we waited in anticipation on the doorstep of Daisies EECC, we could hear the excited chatter of tamariki behind the door. They welcomed us with special waiata ‘Maku Rā Pea’ and ‘Haere Mai Manuhiri Mai’ and adorned our necks with rainbow lanyards, each hand decorated by tamariki. We were warmly led outside to sit together, share kai and kōrero.
While kaiako explained the flow of our time together, tamariki listened intently and proudly began to share stories of their special places within Daisies and the deep connections they have developed with te taiao in their local community through photos. They told us about:
- How they care for Papatūānuku, taking soft plastics to their local supermarket
- Their time exploring nature and being by the awa and in the bush
- Cleaning the streets and climbing Tarikākā maunga.
“I walked all the way to the top of Tarikākā, it was hard and made me so tired,” shared one tamaiti.
Welcome and excitement!
Timeline of project, practices and deepening commitment.
“We pick up rubbish on footpaths and in the park to look after Papatūānuku,” remarked another.
Kaiako shared art, photos, storybooks, programme planning and special publications, unique to Daisies.
Gerty and Berty’s food scraps.
Worm tea bottled up from the worm farm.
Tamariki proudly led us through ngā māra (gardens), he pāmu noke (the worm farm), a bug hotel, nature spaces that facilitate free play and exploration as well as the prized buckets for ‘Berty and Gerty’ the two kunikuni poaka who help to recycle Daisies’ food scraps each week.
As part of their holistic reflection process, Daisies chose three essence kupu that strongly reflected their Enviroschools journey. After deep discussions with kaiako and whānau, they settled on Kaitiakitanga, Interconnectedness and Courage. These kupu are manifested in daily rituals, programmes and planning.
Kaitiakitanga, Interconnectedness, Courage
A long, long scroll of paper was spread out to show a timeline of many of Daisies’ practices and the commitment to their Enviroschools journey. Dates for different projects and projects were recorded when they started and noted as they these became more embedded for kaiako and tamariki. This timeline allowed everyone to see the changes, growth and alignment to the concepts of the kupu.
The development of their centre’s clean the streets programme, daily practices to reduce waste and their Nature Explore programme all provide tamariki with regular opportunities to connect with te taiao and deepen this relationship. Often at the request of adventurous tamariki they explore the local ngahere and awa and hīkoi to the top of their local maunga, Tarikākā! Whānau are in full support and admire the courage and commitment of kaiako to this kaupapa.
Celebrating the kaupapa and affirmation.
Through this reflection process, we acknowledged Daisies stage of development in their Enviroschools journey, like that of a ngahere ecosystem. We honoured Daisies as a thriving ecosystem, supporting life and diversity all around, with many guiding hands. Their sustainability practices and learning are embedded, with a strong connection to place, history and the natural environment and they have established and continue to build inclusive and reciprocal relationships across the community.
Tau kē!
“It was an honour to be part of Daisies holistic reflection. When I first started teaching in Early Childhood, Daisies’ approach and commitment to the Enviroschools kaupapa was an inspiration for my own centre’s journey. Over time, they have embraced change but kept nature connection and relationships at the forefront for tamariki, embedding this in all aspects of planning and practice,” says Enviroschools community facilitator Chandra Littlewood.