The emergent learning model is a flexible and adaptive approach to plan a curriculum responsive to children’s interests to create meaningful learning experiences.

Emergent philosophy prioritises active participation through the many medias made available to the children, such as the written word, listening, modeling, and verbalisation. Another aspect of emergent philosophy is play-based learning and involves a wide range of experiences including music, art, imaginative play, physical and mental challenges. Relationship building and inquiry are also actively encouraged.

All of these experiences are aimed at developing well-rounded children through learning tolerance, empathy, sharing of information, and ideas, leading to a high level of thinking.

Learning experiences are developed to compliment and build upon the emerging interests of the children, with opportunities to be involved at multiple ability levels. Once an interest starts to ’emerge’, our teachers observe the child and their interest then brainstorm ways to extend the topic of interest in depth. Our senior teachers have a wealth of knowledge, practical experience and ideas on how to grow emerging interests, while our newer teachers bring the most recent educational tools and instruction to the mix. Together, they provide an extensive framework for brainstorming and developing learning opportunities.

At regular staff meetings, all HeadStart staff collaborate on plans that encourage individual growth for each child, as well as group learning for the entire centre. Plans are reviewed each staff meeting, and are adapted to best suit the growing needs of each child and the centre community as a whole.

If you would like to discuss our philosophy further, please feel free to contact us.

This curriculum emphasises the learning between teachers, parents and families/whānau, and relies on teachers to weave an holistic curriculum in response to tamariki learning and development in the early childhood setting and the wider context of the child’s world.

It provides a framework of early learning within a sociocultural context, and is based on four broad principles: