A successful Waikato bi-lingual pre-school learning group set up for children who are not in early childhood education is looking at ways to expand the initiative by increasing its funding streams through businesses.
The shrieks of laughter and joy are the result of a safe and loving place to learn at Moko Club.
Manager and teacher Paretakaka Jefferies says, “It's about opening the door to parents, grandmothers and grandfathers to support their children's learning.”
Moko club CEO Tania Simpson says, "Right now we need to further develop our Club, so that it is sustained, and also seek support from big companies because this will benefit all New Zealand. The government supported us to establish ourselves to this point. Now we need more funding to become sustainable. We're asking the government, businesses, all groups to support this.
The free Moko Club started in Huntly nearly four years ago. It was set up as a playgroup to provide learning opportunities for toddlers not in kōhanga reo or pre-school. Now they've expanded.
A new playgroup will start soon at a primary school in Paeroa.