When the first Kohanga Reo (Maori language nest) opened 28 years ago a revolution in early childhood education was started.  The message was that the Maori language needed to be preserved and the best way to do this was to teach children from birth.  Mainstream early childhood services were not serving Maori language and cultural aspirations well.

Today Pukeatua Kohanga Reo - the first Maori language nest that served as a pilot for the country in Wainuiomata, Wellington, is expanding.  The old building licensed for 35 children will continue to provide ECE, and the new building has capacity for 70 children.  The new, very modern, $1.5 million building has been created using the shell of existing classrooms at the old Wainuiomata intermediate school.  On the old school site many other community groups are already present including Wainuiomata Toy Library, Glendale Play Group, YMCA and Wainuiomata Judo.

While it would have been unthinkable 20 - 30 years ago, it is not uncommon now to find different early childhood services set up to cater specifically for children of different cultures and religions.

The latest example, also in Wellington, is a new kindergarten opened by the International Muslim Assn of NZ.  The Haleema Kindergarten is providing for the many Muslim families living in the Taita area and children from many Pacific groups have also enrolled.    

Story Source:  Hutt News 21 Sept 2010