New Look for BoP’s Oldest Early Childhood Educator

MEDIA RELEASE

15 August 2016

New Look for Region’s Oldest Early Childhood Educator

Tauranga Region Kindergartens, the Bay of Plenty’s longest standing early childhood education provider, will soon become known as ‘Inspired Kindergartens’, as it looks to better connect with a new generation of kindergarten parents.

TRK opened its first early childhood site in Botanical Road in 1964, and has since educated more than 20plus generations of young learners.

Peter Monteith, the CEO says the shift to the name ‘Inspired’ is to designed to better reflect the unique elements of kindergarten that make kindergarten services so special.

“Today’s parents remain passionate about the things that set kindergarten apart: our commitment to the highest quality education, our not-for-profit ethos, close ties to local communities, emphasis on open spaces, connection to local culture and education for sustainability,” says Mr Monteith “Parents tell us in surveys that they value the passion and sense of engagement our staff bring to their children’s world and their family’s life, but that those things were not necessarily reflected in our name.”

The expansion of TRK’s kindergarten and home based education services outside of the Tauranga Region is another factor in the name change.

“Our services are in increasing demand beyond the city and even the region,” explains Mr X “There’s a real sense of people wanting to go back to proven, community based services, whether it’s under the traditional sessional communication structure, via a longer-hours early learning centre model, or by way of kindergarten-based education delivered in a home-based environment.”

Despite the ongoing changes to the way that kindergarten education is delivered, it remains an important main stay.

“The word ‘kindergarten’ is a very special one, with a long and proud history in our region,” says Mr Monteith. “It remains front centre in our branding, even as we explore new ways of delivering to this long-standing tradition, for a new generation.”

The new Inspired brand will be seen on kindergarten signs throughout the region by 15 August.

About TRK

Tauranga Region Kindergartens is a not-for-profit network of 21 kindergartens and home-based educators throughout the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel. The organisation employs 150 staff, and has more than 1000 children enrolled across kindergartens and home based services from Whitianga to Taupō.

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