Rātā Blooms into Being

When a national restructure was proposed for the four Aotearoa New Zealand Salvation Army early childhood education centres, it was the right time to bring them under a single identity and shared kauapapa: a new name, a new logo and new signage and branding across each of the centres to unify them. Like rātā itself, the hope was that the centres would grow stronger through connection.

‘For our teachers, I think it’s brought us together. We feel more connected as one team, there’s kotahitanga, that unity aspect under the new name,’ shares Lauren.

‘Everyone’s really embracing the identity and coming together, and they’re sharing resources with each other more. There are more opportunities for teachers across all our centres to come together for professional development, share ideas, share curriculum approaches and learn from each other.

‘If someone in one centre is passionate about a particular area and someone in another centre is too, we can connect them and encourage those conversations. That kind of cross-pollination is happening much more often now than it used to.’

New look, same values

‘The name Rātā Educare was chosen as a symbol of us, of who we already were, and it was chosen by us as well. One of our teachers suggested it,’ shares Lauren.

The rebrand doesn’t change who Rātā is but expresses more clearly who they have always been. The kaupapa of the centres is focused on children having foundational relationships with teachers who nurture them as they grow, much like the rātā tree, while helping them find a sense of belonging in a place they can call home.
‘It’s nice to reflect on the imagery of the name and what it means, so we can go back to rātā and what that represents. We are nurturing young children and promoting joy.’

This is supported through high-quality education, low teacher-to-child ratios, child-centred learning and wraparound support for whānau.

Wraparound support

Historically, the four early childhood centres—Waitākere, Mt Wellington, Newtown and Upper Hutt (Booth College of Mission)—were overseen by their local corps. The restructure brought them together under one shared management system.

‘When we became Rātā, we became one organisation. It was really important to keep those local relationships with our centres and corps,’ explains Lauren.

‘For our families, that wraparound support is so important. Not every early childhood centre in New Zealand can offer that. If families need a little bit extra, we can connect them with foodbanks, social workers, financial mentoring, counselling and other support. We couldn’t do it without our corps and our hubs. Each centre is unique because of the community surrounding and supporting it.’

Community connection

An example of this community was seen earlier this year, when Rātā Educare Waitākere was damaged by a fire caused by vandalism. The centre was closed for three weeks, leaving teachers and children unable to access the building.
‘During the closure, we invited families to Tea and Toys sessions, provided food parcels to each family and tried to keep up playgroup-style connections so people could stay connected.

‘The day before we reopened, all the teachers gathered together. We had our corps officer there, our mission officer and a grandmother from the church community. We prayed, sang songs, talked about the grief and loss of what had happened, but also the new beginning, hope and joy ahead. The next day, when the children arrived, seeing the huge hugs they gave their teachers and all the parents staying to chat and reconnect, it was just pure joy and gratitude.’

These moments of joy after hardship reaffirmed the importance that Rātā holds in the hearts of whānau who attend.
‘I think we’re more than just early childhood centres. For many families, we’re places of community. There was
a lot of aroha.’

Shaped by people

Across the four centres, it was important to leadership to allow them to retain their own local personality.
‘We can talk about values and principles, but every centre still looks different. Every centre is unique while still sharing the same kaupapa. It’s definitely the people who shape each centre and we wouldn’t want to change that. People are able to bring their strengths to their centre, and each centre has autonomy to be who they are and celebrate what’s important to their community.’

When asked about hopes for Rātā in this new season, Lauren ties it back to the sturdy tree itself. ‘I think it’s simply to keep growing and thriving. To continue to nurture every child and whānau who enter our doors, offering shelter, warmth and belonging. Like the rātā, we aim to keep putting out new flowers, creating places where all tamariki and families
can flourish.’