One Tree Hill Kindergarten Inc (also known as One Tree Hill Community Kindergarten) is a not-for-profit kindergarten for 35 children aged 3 to 5 years. It is a stand alone community kindergarten and is not owned by a Kindergarten Association.

The day-to-day running of the kindergarten is the responsibility of the Head Teacher and Office Manager. They report to a Management Committee which is comprised of an elected committee of parents who oversee the kindergarten, develop policy, and manage the finances.

Open:  Monday to Friday 9am -12 noon.  Monday to Thursday 12.30pm – 3 pm for afternoon sessions.  Closed during school holidays.

Minimum and Maximum Hours of Enrolment: Children can enrol for a minimum of 2 sessions a week.  They usually start on afternoon sessions which are 2.5 hours, so the minimum hours are two afternoon sessions totalling 5 hours. The maximum hours are 15 if enrolled in five morning sessions.

Address:  21 Massey Avenue, Greenlane. Auckland

Online: www.onetreehillkindy.org.nz

Children with Disabilities:   One Tree Hill Kindergarten has had many children with special needs attend over the years and has worked closely with the Ministry of Education Special Needs Team to support these children. The Head Teacher has completed a Diploma in Special Education, specialising in Hearing Impairment. The premises will be updated over the 2010 Christmas holiday period to provide wheelchair access and a disabled toilet.

Children with Medical Conditions: The needs of children with medical conditions can be met. The kindergarten works closely with support agencies to ensure the best care for these children.

Gifted and Talented Children:  Every child attending the kindergarten is catered for on an individual basis.  This includes gifted or talented children. The staff assess each child’s potential and talents and work from this basis to extend their knowledge and interests both intellectually and socially.

Children with Special Learning Needs:  Children with a developmental delay are ensured equitable access to the kindergarten’s programme.  The programme is often modified to meet the child’s needs both socially and intellectually, enabling the child to reach his/her individual goals.

Staff Gender:  All staff are women.

Languages Spoken by Staff Fluently:  English

Range of Different Qualifications held by Staff:

• Diploma of Teaching (Secondary)
• Bachelor of Education (Visual Arts)
• Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
• Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education)
• Diploma in Special Education (Hearing Impairment)

Parent Say:  Decisions are made by the elected committee of parents in conjunction with the Head Teacher and Office Manager.  This helps ensure that the organisation runs smoothly and develops alongside the needs of the community it serves.

Grouping Practices:  The kindergarten has three distinct groupings.  Three year-olds are started in the afternoon entry group. The purpose of this is to allow for a focus on specific needs of this age, such as becoming independent, learning new self-help skills, playing cooperatively with peers, and feeling comfortable with staff and their new surroundings.

With these specific goals met children are then transferred into the morning group, which comprises mainly of 4 year olds.   When children are 4 ½ years old they can stay for the afternoon (an extended day).  This group is offered a programme aimed at school readiness with a focus on pre-math/science and pre-literacy skills and developing and extending their skills.

Features One Tree Hill Kindergarten Incorporated Say They Are Proud Of: 

1. Our Children

We are very proud of the learning environment created at this centre. You will find lots of happy, calm children working constructively in groups or separately. You will see confident, busy learners and this is reflected in their positive behaviour.

2. The Indoor Environment

You will be impressed by the way in which the large indoor environment is set up for learning. Lots of attractive activities and plentiful resources, set up in such a way as to meet children’s developmental needs.

3.  The Outdoor Environment

We have a very exciting outdoor environment. You will be amazed at the very large space which is made up of grass and safety surface areas. Enough room for a large sandpit, climbing equipment a fantasy garden, vegetable garden, swings and equipment specifically to encourage lots of exploration and large motor skill development.