New Steiner Kindergarten Opens For Business in Taupo

Written by Sam Farr

Monday, 14 February 2011 12:46

TaupÅ's newest Kindergarten â€“ the Four Seasons Rudolf Steiner Kindergarten in Kaimanawa Street â€“ opened its doors the first week of February and already has a full role and a waiting list.

The Four Seasons Kindergarten is licensed for up to 20 children from 2-6 years and follows Rudolf Steiner's early childhood philosophies of fostering children's innate sense of inquiry in an environment that is nurturing, secure and sustainable. The Kindergarten runs a full day session 8.30 â€“ 2.30pm Monday to Friday, with an optional pick up at 12.30 so parents have the flexibility to choose what days of the week work for their family.

Founders of the Four Seasons Kindergarten from left: Tracey

Lee Hooton, Fenella Tinworth, Dineen Grantham and Sally Herbert

The new Kindergarten is run by four independent and local mothers â€“ Fenella Tinworth, Sally Herbert, Tracey Lee Hooton and Dineen Grantham â€“ who are passionate about offering children in the TaupÅ community an unhurried approach to early childhood education. Some of the activities the children will experience at the Four Seasons include extended time for free play with natural resources and homemade toys, eating home cooked meals together (all meals are created onsite), gardening and composting, bread-making, arts, crafts and building, story-telling and festivals.

Founder and Kindergarten teacher, Fenella Tinworth attended a Rudolf Steiner school growing up and loves the approach. "We wanted to provide something different in the community - a natural approach to childhood."

Mrs Tinworth said the group started up a Rudolf Steiner Playgroup in 2008 which proved really popular and gave them the confidence to go into business with the Kindergarten. "I was expecting to be able to ease into it but I have been pleasantly surprised to start the year with a full role."

Co-founder Sally Herbert, whose daughter now attends the Kindergarten, says "it is all about old-fashioned common sense and values the importance of mothering." She says the group's success to date has been partly to do with the broad range of skills they all bring to the table. "Our skills are complimentary and fit together like a jigsaw and clear communication has been key."

Lessons Learned from Four Seasons Kindergarten

Don't take 'no' for an answer
Communication is crucial to success
Plan, Plan

Benefits to Taupo:

3 Full-time Positions Created

The group has met their challenges along the way but says the Ministry of Education, TaupÅ Educational Preschool, TaupÅ Parents Centre, TaupÅ Playcentre and other groups along the way have provided invaluable support. One of their key learning's has been to not stop asking questions. "No question is a dumb one and NO doesn't mean NO â€“ it just means next idea please," says Tracey Lee Hooton. "Planning, re-planning and more planning has also been a common theme. Starting our own business has been achievable!"

The feedback from parents has been really positive and the group has found that Mums really appreciate the philosophy of home-based learning at their child's pace. The group hopes the Kindergarten will create learning opportunities for parents within the wider TaupÅ Community.

Dineen Grantham says she is really pleased that her fourth child is getting the opportunity to be in an environment that grows imagination and creativity. "There is a time and a place for growing upâ€“ this Kindergarten is about making the most of this precious time of life."

Enterprise Lake TaupÅ Manager Fritz FrÃ¶hlke says what the four women have achieved in a short amount of time is impressive. "It is great they are sharing their experiences for other new businesses to learn from."

For more information contact:

Sally Herbert â€“ Four Seasons Kindergarten

027 268 5362

Last Updated on Tuesday, 15 February 2011 08:26

Lessons Learned from Four Seasons Kindergarten

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