Te Ara Kōhungahunga - Early Childhood

Te Kura offers a free, individualised programme for ākonga (learners) aged from two to six years old. 

Kaiako (teachers) work in partnership with you and your whānau to create an individual learning programme that aligns with Te Whāriki, the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum, and Te Ara Pounamu, our local curriculum. All of our kaiako are trained and registered.  

 Our whānau has really enjoyed being part of Te Kura's ECE programme with my daughter. Being able to get out into the great outdoors and still being able to fit in so much learning, reading and writing while being together as a whānau is awesome and wholesome. We can't wait for our younger children to jump on board with it too. We highly recommend it for any family.

Rapatini Whānau

Whakawhanaungatanga - Collaboration and Connection

We are here to support and extend ākonga interests and areas of inquiry. Through regular feedback and examples of learning between whānau, ākonga and kaiako, we are able to support ākonga learning, enhancing the effectiveness of the programme.  

Alongside online learning delivery, ākonga may be sent additional resources to support their learning and respond to their interests and specific needs. Whānau and ākonga are also able to join our Te Kura library. 

Events are also hosted throughout the country, offering ākonga an opportunity to meet with kaiako and other whānau on the programme. 

Online resources are available through My Te Kura and Storypark, our interactive online learning environments. You will be provided with access to these resources through a unique username and password. 

Enrolment Criteria 

Te Ara Kōhungahunga is available to tamariki between two and six years old who are New Zealand citizens or permanent residents, and meet one of the following criteria: 

  • Geographic isolation - six kilometres from nearest licensed Early Childhood service 
  • Itinerancy - travelling for more than six months of the year 
  • High health needs and/or Learning Support needs 
  • Special circumstances 
  • Ministry of Education referral 

Further details can be found in the Ministry of Education’s enrolment policy.