The outside facade of Greenmeadows Kindergarten gives no clue to the astonishing achievements attained by the kindergarten team, children and their families.

Located on a parched, sun-drenched corner, Greenmeadows Kindergarten is a true representation of what a kindergarten should be, given the actual translation of the word is “garden of children”.

The kindergarten’s seedling nursery.

The term ‘kindergarten’ was coined by German educator Friedrich Frobel in reference to his method of developing intelligence in young children.

Frobel found that through gardening and outdoor exploration, children developed an understanding of the natural world. They gained an appreciation for nature and valuable insights on how to care for nature.

Head Teacher Alison Dench standing by the mural painted by parent Renae Hardgrave.

Greenmeadows Kindergarten’s head teacher, Alison Dench, has seen this first hand.

“The children are instinctively fascinated by nature. They come with so much knowledge of their own! They develop an awareness, understanding and love for nature,” she says.

Greenmeadows Kindergarten has been working closely with the national organisation Enviroschools. The Enviroschools programme supports children and young people to plan, design, and implement sustainability actions that are important to them and their communities.

"We have redesigned our outside area, so it encapsulates the Enviroschools aim of fostering a generation of people who instinctively think and act in sustainable way,” says Alison.

 “The garden also provides the children with a calm, and beautiful, outside space in which they can safely play and learn in”.

One of the water tanks collecting rain water.

The Greenmeadows Kindergarten team, children and their families have had to work hard to achieve the Green/Gold Enviroschools award. This is the highest award Enviroschools bestows.

“We are immensely proud of this. But we have to keep meeting the standard. This means a continued commitment from all us! We have amazing families on board. We are even branching out into our wider community,” Alison says.

The shared vision of the team, with ongoing support from the Napier Kindergarten Association, has led to the realisation of some exciting projects.

Alison walks through the seedling nursery.

She says, “This is fantastic. We are growing native plants that can be used in the local community for revegetation projects. The children help take care of the seedlings and then get to plant them in our local environment. Our next batch of seedlings will contribute to the enhancement project of Taipo Stream. Taipo Stream is important to us, it connects us to our local area”.

This multi-pronged approach to learning ticks many boxes. The garden provides a rich sensory experience that delves into areas of science, ecology, sustainability, problem solving, decision making, force and flow, the cycles of life, horticulture, landscape design and loss.

Alison comments, “Not everything survives! We have successes and failures. Through this we learn. It’s all part of the cycle of life”.

Children exploring the garden.

Rachelle Lovett-Morrison has been a teacher at Greenmeadows Kindergarten for eleven years. The Enviroschools journey has taken Rachelle on a path of learning and educating.

Rachelle says, “I am an Enviroschools facilitator which means I help other Kindergartens work towards their bronze, silver and gold awards. I never imagined myself in a role like this!”.

Rachelle practises sustainability in her everyday life and appreciates the challenges living sustainably brings.

“It is hard work living sustainably when the world is still so ‘throw-away’ focused. I have to lead by example. Even small things make a difference. For example, we encourage all our children to have ‘litter free’ lunch boxes,” she says.

The jungle garden. The mature trees providing natural shade and a space for climbing.

“We talk about where the litter goes. Can it be reused or recycled? We talk about energy saving and offer up things that the children can do, like switching the lights off. It’s small steps but it definitely filters out. I believe starting with the children is key if we want to establish a sustainable environment for generations to come.”

Rachelle believes in encouraging the children to create a ‘relationship’ with nature. She incorporates indigenous myths and legends into the children’s learning. This approach helps nurture relationships and honours our cultural identity.

Rachelle says, “The children perform and create art about Maori myths and legends. This helps them gain a deeper understanding of Maori Atua. We try to relate things to Papatuanuku and Ranginui Through art and performance, the children develop a deep compassion for the natural world, they almost ‘humanise’ it. It really helps them understand the impacts our decisions and actions have on nature”.

Some more of the mural.

Greenmeadows Kindergarten is grateful for all the support they have had along the way and continue to receive. A highlight, for both Alison and Rachelle, is the mural which was painted four years ago by one of their parents – Renae Hardgrave.

Rachelle says, “The mural is a living and historical document of the Whakapapa of Greenmeadows Kindergarten. Ranginui looks down upon the earth watching over Papatuanuku and all that reside upon her. Featured on the mural is the Tutaekuri river being filled with three baskets of knowledge. In the centre of the mural is our kindergarten. Anderson Park, Otatara Pa and Sugarloaf/Pukekura are also prominent on the mural. There is a space around the mural for the children’s handprints. The children love it, so do we, it’s very special to us”.

Butterfly and bee garden.

Like a tree, good roots are the foundation. With rain, sunshine, nutrients and love the tree thrives. Many new branches reach for the light creating conditions for other species to flourish. The team at Greenmeadows Kindergarten are the roots, the family, community and supporting organisations are the sun, the rain and the nutrients. The children are the love.

Friedrich Frobel would be proud of this mighty kindergarten modestly set in Greenmeadows. He would not of imagined the challenges our children now face as the pressures on our planet reach worrying heights.

One of the children watering the seedlings.

It’s the hope of the Greenmeadows team that the children, whose lives they briefly touch, develop a long-lasting love and awareness of the Earth, and sustainability becomes the ordinary way of living for all.

For further information on Greenmeadows Kindergarten phone 06 844 9182 or 027 8449182.

Location: 44 Osier Road Greenmeadows

Email: greenmeadowskgtn@napierkindergarten.co.nz

Website: www.napierkindergartens.co.nz

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