X'n - Hamilton Branch
Kia Ora Hand and Hand whanau,
It was suggested to me to share how I was feeling about X'n being so happy in his kindy.
For those that have heard our story and know X'nyx attended another kindy before Hand and Hand,
you'll get this. If you haven't, for a little context and only one of the many issues I had in the end, I figured
out X'n was being physically bullied daily and had been left to fend for himself. I would find bites and
marks on his body and always asked what happened and was never given any incident report, instead, I
was given excuses like 'rough play builds resilience and 'boys will be boys.
At times I was made to feel like I was babying my child but I couldn't shake the feeling that something
was wrong and the massive decline in X'ns mood and behavior indicated that something certainly wasn't
right. After a discussion with our Family G.P, I finally trusted that feeling, pulled him out, and after months
of healing X'n finally agreed that he was ready to find some new friends (kindy). I'll admit after everything
my little mate had endured, I'm sure you'll understand when I say, the bar was set pretty high.
You guys, the staff at Hand and Hand, you all have seriously not only met all of my expectations but
honestly, you've exceeded them. I have felt so safe leaving my son in your care. The professionalism
there is next level but what makes it outstanding for me personally is that it's all complemented with
caring and down-to-earth people. Every staff member I have shared our story with has shown
compassion. You've helped me navigate understanding some of the behaviors X'n has developed and a
step further, given me sound advice and ideas to try when coping with them. For the first time, I can get
him to sleep without him getting upset!
The staff has all made an effort to connect with X'n in a way that makes him feel comfortable. I witnessed
the moments where he wouldn't speak back and was moved when the teacher didn't push him or try and
force him to make eye contact but rather came back a few minutes later and tried again and again until
he very quietly spoke back. X'n had built little walls around him to keep himself safe and to see how
much consideration was taken when they gently pulled them back to connect with him meant so much to
me.
In the short time X'ns been there, he struggled with speaking up for himself and now can share when he
doesn't like something. When we arrive he is happy to run off and play not even bothered about me
leaving and has learned to sit with his friends during mat time and even started including himself in the
conversations. On every pick-up, without fail, I get updated on how his day was, what he ate, and all the
juicy fun stuff he enjoyed doing. These are gigantic steps forward for him and I believe wholeheartedly it
all comes down to the caring wairua, professionalism, and caliber of the staff that works there.
Honestly, you guys all should be super proud of the facility you run. Whoever chose the educators, you
should be chuffed in your choices, you quite literally have the best. Hand and Hand is by far the best
kindy I've come across and for my child specifically and that's coming from a parent with 6 kids who has
seen a few ECE centers. I could not be happier with my choice of center and who I now trust to educate
my bright, empathic, and much happier, human. You guys are giving my son the very best start he could
have and that means the world to me!
Thank you so much for all that you do!
Have a great week guys!
Trish.
