Our Learning Plan

Our Curriculum

Papakura Early Learning Centre offers a curriculum based on Te Whāriki, New Zealand's Early Childhood Curriculum.

We take a "holistic" approach to each child’s development, where we focus on social, intellectual, physical, cultural, spiritual and emotional learning. Children's emotional and learning needs are well supported by experienced and caring teachers.

There is a particular focus on children's literacy development. Making Kai together

Teachers include a Māori perspective in the curriculum and include the use of te reo Māori in the daily programme. Children have opportunities to lead karakia, waiata and participate in kapa haka.

By weaving the Te Whāriki strands and principles together, children experience learning through playing in well-equipped, spacious indoor and outdoor environments.

Children have opportunities for a wide variety of play, social interaction and imaginative, creative play.

Mixed-age play opportunities are encouraged, valued, and support tuakana/teina relationships where the children learn together.

Our Culture

We are a multicultural centre which celebrates all cultures.

At our Centre, each child is welcomed for who they are. Our staff are skilful at settling and working alongside children, following their play ideas. Whānau experience respectful relationships with kind and caring teachers who value their children.

Our team of registered teachers reflect the cultural diversity of our families and community.

Papakura Early Learning Centre

Address: 14 Maurice Street, Papakura, Auckland

Phone: 09 299 6610

Email: [email protected]

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am–2.30pm

Team Leader: Maria Tuia-Pemerika

Latest

How our programmes are functioning under different lockdown levels

Across the country our programmes are still supporting our community, just on different levels depending on the area you live in.
How our programmes have been running during Level Four lockdown

We have been working tirelessly to ensure we are doing everything we can to help children, young people, and families towards brighter futures, whilst we stay safe in our bubbles. Our programmes have been able to transition to supporting people in our communities remotely, similarly to how people connect with their family and friends.
MATES and Merchant Shoes – a Perfect Match

Merchant 1948’s Young Hearts Project has been partnering with MATES Junior since it was launched in 2014. This project was established to assist young people in our community, especially those who are struggling in life.
From the archives: NZ’s first Dad Tutor

Back in 1995, John Grubner made the local newspaper for being New Zealand’s very first “HIPPY dad” tutor. The local community paper said at the time, “Mr Grubner is a rare breed as a HIPPY tutor because it is usually mums who are recruited from parents who have been through the programme...”

Garden Vision: ‘Growing for Good’ at ELC

Papakura Early Learning Centre’s Team Leader has a vision for transforming the centre's unused outdoor spaces into an edible garden, with a worm farm, composting and recycling system to teach the children sustainability...
Our Team

Introducing our passionate team of Registered Teachers
What We Offer

We provide FREE early childhood education for 30 hours per week for children aged from two-five years. We offer Zero Fees, to make it affordable for everyone.
About Us

Great Potentials Early Learning Centre (Papakura), next to Kelvin Road School, offers FREE all-day sessions for children aged from two to five years. Enrolments available now.

HIPPY Programme

HIPPY is a home-based Early Learning programme that helps parents from disadvantaged communities lay the foundation for their children’s success in school and later life...
HIPPY Locations

Locations and contact details for HIPPY sites around New Zealand
Community Funding

We are immensely grateful to all of our supporters who contribute in various ways to Great Potentials Foundation. Your generosity truly impacts the lives of children, young people and families propelling them towards brighter futures.
Become a mentor

If you are a tertiary student in Auckland and are interested in becoming a MATES mentor, please complete the online application form...
MATES Programme

MATES Mentoring and Tutoring programme addresses the underachievement in education of disadvantaged youth in New Zealand, intervening at key transition points to create pathways for success...
Contact Details

Address and contact information for Great Potentials Office and programmes
Our Mission

Working for and with children, young people and families to promote family function, relieve suffering, release potential, reduce disparities in New Zealand society, reduce crime and violence and break the cycle of disadvantage...
Work for us

Situations vacant at Great Potentials Foundation
Family Service Centres

Our Family Service Centres assist the community with housing, food, health care, employment support and wellbeing services as well as offering early learning services, parenting programmes, playgroups, social workers in schools, counselling and more...
Takanini Family Service Centre

Family Service Centre Takanini opened its doors in January 2014. Our warm, colourful new Centre was established in partnership with the Counties Manukau Kindergarten Association, whose superb early learning centre provides a beautiful environment for the local children.