Botany Downs Kindergarten

Botany Downs Kindergarten is administered by the Auckland Kindergarten Association.

Innovation

Inclusion at the Kindergarten is non-negotiable, which means no child is turned away as a result of disability or other difference, or family background. The teachers engage in possibility thinking to find ways to overcome any barriers to participation and learning. As a consequence, they use a very wide range of visual communication tools to communicate with children and families to increase their sense of belonging and help all children achieve positive learning outcomes.

Centres of Innovation (COI) research

The research explores inclusive practice broadly defined as reducing barriers to learning for all children who may be excluded from full participation.

Major research questions:

How does an inclusive environment enhance the learning of all children?
How do visual communication tools invite and extend engagement with children and their families?
How do we support children on their journey from dependency to self efficacy?

COI tenure

Calendar years 2006/2007/2008 (Round three).

COI research associates

Dr Helen Bernstone, Manukau Institute of Technology (Email: helen.bernstone@manukau.ac.nz)
Dr Bill Hagan, Manukau Institute of Technology (Email: bill.hagan@manukau.ac.nz)

COI Final Report

The final report, when available, will be posted on Education Counts.

Service location

22 Maroubra Place, Howick, Auckland, New Zealand.

Visitors

Botany Downs Kindergarten completed its Centre of Innovation contract on 31 December 2008 and is no longer resourced to accommodate many visitors.

Contact details

Postal address: 22 Maroubra Place, Howick, Auckland, New Zealand
Telephone: 09 534 9025
Fax: 09 534 9024
Email: bdownskindy@xtra.co.nz