First of it’s kind Early Childhood Centre in Auck

First of it’s kind Early Childhood Centre sponsored by Catholic Tongan community to be opened in Auckland next week

Fetu'u Moana Catholic Early Childhood Centre is the first Tongan/Catholic-established early childhood education centre in New Zealand.

Known as Fetu’u Moana Catholic Early Childhood Centre, the concept began in 2003 following consultations with the New Zealand Catholic Education Office, the Catholic Bishops of Auckland and Tonga and Niue, Holy Cross Catholic Parish of Papatoetoe, and members of the Tongan Catholic community of Holy Cross as well as the wider Tongan Catholic community of Auckland. The main objective was to have the centre licensed and chartered as an Early Childhood Centre under the present government’s policy for Early Childhood Education.

Fetu’u Moana Catholic Early Childhood Centre is a Tongan Catholic centre that provides education and care for children from six months to five years of age. Operating under the auspicious of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Auckland it is located in a building s owned by the Catholic Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tonga-Niue which is adjacent to Holy Cross Catholic Primary School and Holy Cross Catholic Church in Papatoetoe, Manukau City.

The Centre draws its roll of thirty from a mix of children, some connected through the church, related families and children from the local area. Many of the shared activities reflect Christian beliefs, values and songs that children practise at church and home. Children are nurtured and supported to develop in an environment that is culturally relevant. The programme embraces children’s developmental stages and incorporates the special character of the Catholic Faith.

Parents participate in a rostered system, as the centre is at Playgroup status (pre-licensing stages). Participation by parents and children in social and church events and religious observances creates a strong sense of belonging, which is in keeping with the centre’s special character.

The Centre will be official blessed by the Catholic Bishop of Tonga-Nuie, Bishop Soane Lilo Foliaki, on Saturday 10 February at 11a.m. at 54 Fairview Road, Papatoetoe.

ENDS

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