2001 - Four teenage parents identified a need to further their education and bond with other tenn parents. They started by meeting two days per week; increased this to three days as other joined and eventually they were meeting every day of the week. Their meeting places were private homes, halls and a care and protection home at Thornton Road. They were supported by two kaiawhina from Family Start, namely Janice Wahapango and Michelle Goodhew.
2002-2003 - Throughout these years the group created their own programmes which were educationally focussed, socially rewarding, culturally sensitive, mentally stimulating and physically beneficial to all those involved at that time and to those who would join in the future.
2004 - In May, the teen parents and their children moved into premises at 17 James Street, and it was at this time that the teen parents named the centre "Te Ara ki Tua" (translated to mean Pathway to their Future). Te Ara ki Tua Teen Parent Unit (TPU) and the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Centre are finally settled into their long-awaited premises.
2005 - On 10 January the Ministry of Education approved a licence for 20 enrolment spaces enabling parents to receive quality early childcare education for their tamariki while they continued with their own second chance education.
2006-2007 - With changes to government policy, unknown future directions and financial insecurity, the Teen Parent Unit was officially closed on 30 March 2007. Student parents were enrolled with other training establishments and their relocation was eased somewhat by their children remaining with Te Ara ki Tua Early Childhood Education Centre.
2007-2008 - The ECE Centre continues its financial operations as a small commercial arm of Te Tohu O Te Ora O Ngati Awa. It has the potential to financially stand alone and break even, but is currently reliant on an injection of resources from Te Tohu O Te Ora O Ngati Awa. This support allows the centre to maintain its low fee structure, thereby making pre-school education affordable and accessible.
2008-2009 - The James Street property has been granted a temporary resource consent by the Whakatane District Council until such time as the new ECE centre can be established at Golf Links Road, adjacent to the Te Tohu O Te Ora O Ngati Awa main office. The new centre will be licensed for more tamariki than are currently licensed at the James Street site. It is envisaged that up to 20 or 30 extra enrolment spaces will be acquired. The centre plans have been completed; the appropriate resource consents approved; and the total costs are known. Information pertaining to agencies with funding putea have been obtained; closing dates and application limits are known; and plans are in progress to discuss and negotiate funding applications with a range of funders, both at local and national levels.
2009 and beyond - A Discretionary Grant Scheme application was made to the Ministry of Education in October 2008. In August 2009 the DGS application was approved. It is anticipated the building of the new centre will begin before the end of the 2009 year and in 2010 the brand new centre, nestled within the tranquil rural setting of Te Pahitaua, will be part of the Te Tohu O Te Ora O Ngati Awa whanau.
As at November 2009 there are currently 4 full time and 9 casual staff employed. They are committed to the care of 24 tamariki.
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