Torbay Kindergarten is the oldest kindergarten in the East Coast Bays, officially opening on Saturday 31st May 1969. However, it started long before then… In 1947 a private kindergarten was started in the new hall by Miss Wiseman and her sister, Miss Enid, as a helper. After much fundraising the site and building that is Torbay Kindergarten today was built.

We welcome you to browse our site or come into our kindergarten and have a look around, meet the teachers and enjoy our warm and friendly environment.

He waka eke noa –we are all in this together

Te Tiriti o Waitangi
At Torbay Kindergarten our curriculum is woven through our everyday experiences. It is guided by the principles of Te Whāriki the Early Childhood Curriculum and honours the principles of Tiriti o Waitangi (Partnership, Participation and Protection), and the unique bi-cultural heritage of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Maanakitanga
We believe in the essence of maanakitanga; respect, kindness care and empathy. Valuing ourselves, each other, the natural environment, and resources. By nurturing the whakatauki “He waka eke noa” – we are all in this together as nothing is in isolation. We empower everyone to see that they are part of ‘something’ bigger than themselves.

Whanaugatanga
We are a welcoming, caring and fun community where tamariki, whānau and families feel they have a place. We value whakawhanaungatanga, the process of establishing relationships, relating to and working with parents, whānau and communtity as a vital part of our kaupapa.

Aroha
Mokopuna are enveloped in a cloak of love and empathy, for they are born from a seed of greatness. Children are valued within the cultural context of their family/whānau and community.

Kaitiakitanga
Children are kaitiakitanga “the guardians of the environment”. Grounded by a te ao Māori perspective children are encouraged to be active explorers and self directed learners as we extend their strengths and interests.

Ako
Teachers are facilitators, observers and scaffolders who inspire possibilities and positive outcomes for learning. Through reciprocal relationships, research and reflection, we work co-constructively acknowledging children’s dispositions and interests. Our assessments reflect each child’s innate ways of being.

Mana
Our hope is for our tamariki to build courage, curiosity, confidence, responsibility and resilience so that they are seen, heard, valued and respected members of the wider world.