Aurora Childcare Services Director Hulita Heitonga (R) with some of the school children. Kaufo’ou Puloka (L). Photo/Kaniva Tonga (Kalino Lātū)
The Tongan-owned Aurora Home based Childcare Services in Otara, South Auckland celebrated Christmas last week with multi-cultural entertaining activities.
The celebration at the Wiri Community Hall attracted parents and most of the 90 young children enrolled at the Services.
The celebration was carried out to acknowledge and respect the different cultures at the school.
Educator Kaufo’ou Puloka said the Childcare services valued the importance of the children’s identity and for them to be “proud of who we are.”
Opened in 2016, most of the children were Tongans with a number of children with Maori and other ethnic backgrounds.
“The philosophy of Aurora Home based Childcare Services emphasises the importance of nurturing children’s individual strengths through a journey of guided discoveries, social interactions and co-operative learnings,” director Siale Heitonga told Kaniva News.
“Values of excellence, kindness, action and trust are promoted.
“Children’s own cultures are valued and celebrated.”
Siale and his wife Hulita Kaati Tangitau Heitonga are directors and co-ordinators of the school.
“Co-ordinators work together with educators to support the wellbeing of many children with diverse and complex needs. Inclusive, trusting relationships underpin the organisation’s approach to children’s learning,” Siale said.
The main points
- The Tongan-owned Aurora Homebased Childcare Services in Otara, South Auckland celebrated Christmas last week with multi-cultural entertaining activities.
- The celebration at the Wiri Community Hall attracted parents and most of the 90 young children enrolled at the Services.
