LEARNING STAGES

Our nature-based curriculum is structured to reflect the learning stages that children reach as they develop.  Our educational goals aim to provide a well-balanced programme through hands on participation, to encourage resilience, guide investigation and motivate a life-long love of learning. There is emphasis given to the child’s individual development which is non-competitive and unpressurised in an academic sense.

Teaching and learning opportunities are delivered at The Farmyard through story-telling, puppetry, creative play, singing, musical movement, finger plays, painting, drawing, sculpture, drama and handwork. The children also enjoy doing beeswax modelling, going for daily nature walks, gardening using a bio-dynamic approach to blend in with natural cycles, and coming together at Circle Times to celebrate Seasonal Festivals.

RONGO PIHI (Nursery)

Rongo Pihi, is our nursery. The word Rongo is another name used for Kūmara and Pihi in noun form symbolises the shoot sprouting from the kumara plant as it begins to grow.

SENSORIAL LEARNING

Where senses are nourished as babies are able to unfold their learning through a peaceful daily rhythm in a non-restrictive space.

RONGO PANIHI (Young Toddlers)

Rongo Panihi welcomes our younger toddlers. Panihi is used to describe the smaller sized kumara, or a child just coming out of infancy, still sweet and requiring a level of nurturing to continue to develop and grow well.

LEARNING FROM DIRECT EXPERIENCE

Our active learners enjoy freedom of movement as they engage in all curriculum areas.

RONGO TĀTUA (Older Toddlers)

Rongo Tātua, our classroom for our older toddlers, is named after the belt in which kumara were brought to Aotearoa, and is likened to the security and safety needed to ensure the positive future and growth of our children.

LEARNING THROUGH PLAY & IMITATION

The children engage in self-guided play which encourages perseverance, and creativity.

RONGO NUKUROA (Kinder Aged Classroom)

Rongo Nukuroa is our kinder aged classroom. Nukuroa refers to the long journey taken by the kumara on the back of Ruakapanga, a giant bird, from Hawaiiki to Aotearoa, remembering the challenges and growth required to endure to get to this whenua. Like the kumara, we have compared the journey and growth of a child at this stage of their development in early childhood as the long journey coming to a crossroad of change and further transition.

LEARNING FROM THE ENVIRONMENT

Children are supported by dispositional learning as they develop their understandings through the natural environment as children make their own discoveries.

RONGO TAIAO (5-6 Year Olds)

Rongo Taiao embraces our older children from 5-6 years of age. Taiao represents the natural world and in particular the conservation of the environment. Our older tamariki have grown from seeds needing constant protection and security to empower kaitiaki, armed with the knowledge, understanding and ability to now care for themselves, others and the world around them.

LEARNING AS A PROCESS OF SELF EDUCATION

Oral language is a cornerstone of development in writing to reading. These emergent skills develop as language is brought in through eye and ear, through picture and sound. Children are led through story and picture, then to writing and reading when they are ready.

OUR SCHOOL

The Farmyard offers a rural discovery-based sustainable early learning environment, which is inspired by Waldorf/Steiner education.
Our educational goals aim to provide a well-balanced programme of learning and development through participatory hands-on experiences which encourage resilience, and guide investigation to motivate a love of lifelong learning.

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