Community
Collaboration

Acorns to Oaks: School Readiness Programme 2025

In Collaboration With:

An elderly woman with gray hair and a young girl with dark hair are sitting at a table with children, engaging in conversation while drawing with colorful markers. The young boy dressed as Spiderman with glasses and a mask is holding a yellow marker, and there are art supplies on the table.
Kaitiaki Kindergartens logo with a purple spiral symbol and black text.

Where every child can believe in themselves and achieve their dreams and aspirations
Hea e taea tamaiti katoa whakapono i roto ia ratou, ka tutuki o ratou moe me ngā wawata

We’re excited to be partnering with Kaitiaki Kindergartens, a non-profit group of 13 kindergartens committed to equity and inclusion.

We are implementing an early intervention pilot programme in three Kaitiaki Kindergartens to provide specialised support to neurodivergent ākonga and their early childhood educators to enable these children to successfully transition to primary school.

Logo of The Education Hub with a pink circle containing the letters 'h u b' and the words 'the education hub' to the right.

Continuous Learning:

A shared commitment to evidence-based practise

Collaborating with the Education Hub ensures that our specialist knowledge and experience is being shared with the community and that our practises continue to be informed by the latest education research.

Toi Ora (Hauora) of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei is partnering with Acorn to start a series of projects to support their neurodivergent tamariki, rangatahi and whānau. We’re looking forward to starting off with whānau workshops in March in collaboration with Cheekee Hero.
Hope to see you there! Mā te wā.

Panoramic view of Auckland city skyline at sunset with harbor and green park in the foreground.

We’re proud to be part of the

Ethnic Communities Innovation Fund.

We’re working with the South Asian autism community of Tāmaki Makaurau to support neurodiversity affirming parenting and family wellbeing. Our South Asian community has asked us for parent education and opportunities to connect to other families who understand their cultural background and what it’s like to parent a neurodivergent or developmentally disabled child. We are providing opportunities that will increase connection, belonging and wellbeing.

A colorful illustration of a community tree held by two large hands. The tree's branches are filled with diverse people and words like dignity, friendship, harmony, and equality. The ground features scenes of women and children, housing, education, and community activities. The outer circle contains a yellow border with text highlighting values like collective action, wellbeing, diversity, respect, and inclusion.
Colorful blocks spelling PASG with the words PASIFIKA AUTISM SUPPORT GROUP below

Acorn is excited to announce a collaboration with the Pasifika Autism Support Group of Auckland. Acorn and PASG will be co-designing a programme to increase the accessibility of support for the approximately 65 families in their group. We are looking forward to learning about how we can better understand and support the Pacific community of Auckland.

Five women standing indoors in front of a PASG banner, smiling. They are wearing casual clothing, some with necklaces made of shells, and are at a support group event for Pasifika Autism Support Group.
Young girl with colorful paint on her face and hands, smiling and holding her hands up towards the camera outside on a sunny day.
Logo for TAONGA featuring a stylized wave in blue and white, with the company name in purple.

Acorn is pleased to be collaborating with Taonga to provide professional development for early childhood educators at the seven Taonga early childhood centres in South and West Auckland. Acorn therapists also provide direct support to neurodiverse children enrolled in Taonga centres at the request of their whānau and teachers. 100% of the children served are Māori or Pasifika.

Children playing on a colorful playground with slides, swings, and climbing structures, surrounded by a wooden fence and trees.

Keith Park Accessible
Playground, Manurewa
Local Board

Winner- NZ Recreation Playground of the Year 2020

Acorn specialists teamed up with the Manurewa Local Board and other organisations to design Auckland’s first fully accessible playground. The playground was specifically designed to cater to children with disabilities and to be accessible and inclusive for all children. 

Children and adults playing at a colorful outdoor playground with slides, climbing structures, and a splash area on a cloudy day.

Anderson Park Accessible Playground, Napier Council

Acorn specialists were recruited by the Napier Council to consult and collaborate on the design of the Anderson Park Accessible Playground in Napier. The park’s new playground will be fun and inclusive for all children and their whānau.