Kindergarten
Fossil Bay Kindergarten was established on Waiheke in 1993. Set in a rural environment many of the children on Waiheke have experienced the natural & beautiful environment of Fossil Bay Kindergarten. Our Early Childhood program supports young children and their families during the foundational years, a time when imagination and imitation are the paths for learning. Our purpose is to create and sustain a nurturing community of inspired children, teachers and parents.
KINDERGARTEN: 2-6 years
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 3.00pm
Welcome to Fossil Bay Kindergarten
At Fossil Bay Kindergarten, we provide a warm, creative, and home-like environment that nurtures each child during their initial school years. Our experienced teachers guide children in transitioning from the familiarity of home to the broader social world. We follow daily, weekly, and seasonal rhythms, helping children anticipate ‘what comes next’ and allowing for both playful creativity and more focused activities like painting, crafts, and shared meals.
Our Curriculum and Approach
Our kindergarten day is rich with diverse activities, including indoor and outdoor play, domestic tasks, art and craft projects, and seasonal activities. These activities are all inclusive, taught through role modeling and imitation, fostering imaginative qualities and a deep respect for others. We believe in rhythm, giving children a sense of structure and security throughout the day, each term, and the year.
Nature plays a central role in our curriculum. Children are encouraged to explore, climb trees, and learn through their natural curiosity. Our use of natural objects in play stimulates creativity—a cloth can become anything from a cape to a river, and a plank of wood might transform into a bridge or shop front.
Seasonal festivals, such as our beloved mid-winter lantern festival, and the annual Harvest Fayre, a cornerstone event for both our kindergarten and the wider community, punctuate our calendar, providing delightful and enriching experiences for children and families alike.
Our Classrooms
We have two dedicated classrooms to cater to different age groups:
Nursery for 2-Year-Olds: This smaller, more intimate classroom offers an even higher teacher-to-child ratio, ensuring that each child receives the care and attention they need. The nursery is a screen-free, natural environment designed to nurture the head, heart, and hands. The day’s rhythm includes circle time, free play, bun baking, story time, and nap time.
Kindergarten for 3-6-Year-Olds: Our older children engage in a broad range of activities that lay the foundation for their personal, social, and intellectual development. Through creative play and diverse activities, children learn practical skills, initiative, and responsibility, all within a structure that offers quality sensory experiences.