Sharing a meal happens every day, it's a special time to nourish and connect ..read more

Toilet independence is a significant milestone in a child's development, marking a step towards greater autonomy and self-care. This journey is best navigated with the loving guidance of whānau at home, complemented by the support of early childhood educators if your child attends a kindergarten or ECE setting. The combined efforts of both environments create a cohesive and reassuring experience for the tamaiti. At Four Seasons Kindergarten, we welcome tamariki at all stages of toilet readiness (in nappies and/or underwear). Suppose your transition to wearing underwear and toilet independence ..read more

“Ngā tamariki nga rangatira mo āpōpō. Our children are our leaders of tomorrow.” Four Seasons Rudolf Steiner Kindergarten embraces an unhurried approach to childhood, providing a natural environment that is homely, secure, and nurturing; held through rhythm. We acknowledge and honour the distinctive qualities inherent at each stage of tamaiti development and the importance of fully embracing these stages before progressing to the next phase of education. We hold early childhood as a pivotal time for nurturing the development of the will, facilitated through self-directed play. Kaiako strive to ..read more

At Four Seasons Kindergarten, we believe in transparency and clarity regarding our fees and optional charges. We understand that choosing the right educational environment for your tamaiti (child) is a significant decision, and we want to ensure that whānau (families) have all the necessary information to make informed choices. Here’s a breakdown of our fees and optional charges and what they cover: Weekly Rates: Below are the weekly rates, including the optional charges, for all tamariki utilising 20 ECE hours (3-6 year olds) attending full-day enrolments of 8.30 am to 2.30 pm. 3-day mini ..read more

The below wisdom is shared by Mary Willow; we hosted Mary here at Four Seasons some years ago to share with our whānau/parents. We are grateful for the work Mary does with communities. You’ll find her via her website: Plum Parenting Once there was a popular saying among parents: ‘children should be seen but not heard.’ Today it is almost the opposite: we hear a great deal from our children and we talk to them as much as possible. But do we really see and understand who we are talking to? Who Are We Talking To? Young children are fully absorbed in: Growing their body and mastering its functio ..read more

The holiday season is undoubtedly a magical time for tamariki (children), filled with the enchantment of twinkling lights, festive decorations, and the promise of joy. However, beneath the surface of these festive moments, many tamariki experience overwhelming feelings that can significantly impact their behaviour. Understanding the sources of this overwhelm and implementing strategies to provide much-needed downtime is crucial, and it's equally important to recognise the potential pitfalls of using Santa as a behavior-modifying tool. The excitement of Christmas brings with it a whirlwind of ..read more

Embarking on the journey of parenthood involves making pivotal decisions, and among them, choosing the right early childhood education for your tamaiti (child) stands as a paramount step. At Four Seasons, we understand that entrusting another with the nurturing of your tamaiti is an important choice. We passionately believe that investing in your child's early years is an investment in their future. Our fee policy is designed not only to offer quality education built on the foundations of the Steiner Waldorf approach, but also to cultivate meaningful connections between tamariki (children), wh ..read more

Starting school is a big step for your child, and as a parent and whānau, you want to make this transition as smooth and enjoyable as possible. To help you and your child navigate this exciting new journey, we've gathered some valuable tips from Catriona Eagles, a past kindergarten parent at Four Seasons. These tips ensure your child is prepared, not overwhelmed, and ready to embrace their school adventure. Before Starting School Increase ECE Hours: In the months leading up to school, consider increasing your child's Early Childhood Education hours to help them adjust to a five-day school we ..read more

“Tell me and I’ll forget, show me and I may remember, involve me and I’ll understand” - Chinese Proverb You only have to look around our Kindergarten to notice the value that we put on exposure to nature. It permeates throughout both our inside and outside area and is an integral part of all that we are here. The Bush Kindergarten experience is involving our children in another aspect of being in nature.  Environmental Stewardship – For us one of the main reasons behind doing this is the cultivation of the future, a sense of environmental stewardship and caring for the environment ..read more

Rhythms bring an ease to life.  When rhythms in the family home are consistent, and have a repetitive flow about them, they are the way to bring connection and most importantly, help with the transitions in daily life with our children. I parent my dear two children a lot of the time on my own, as well as working full time, and navigating all of life’s offerings.  The nature of my husband’s work means that he spends a lot of time away.  Solo parenting is hard!  Kim John Payne, author of Simplicity Parenting calls what solo parents do as double parenting, doing the work of ..read more