Since it opened 40 years ago, McKenzie Centre has been dedicated to supporting children with disabilities and help children achieve short and long-term success.
McKenzie Centre Early Intervention teacher Rachael Simpson, left, with Hillary Vos and Keanu Katene, 6. Photo: Supplied.
Over the decades, thousands of children from throughout Waikato and the King Country – along with their families – have benefitted from the centre’s early intervention approach.
Suzanne Kok
This is the term used to describe the services and supports that are available to babies and young children with developmental delays and disabilities.
Different types of specialists work with children and their families depending on which skills are delayed.
Service manager Suzanne Kok highlights the team’s skill, experience and passion for early childhood development.
“Despite evolving service delivery models, the centre’s mission remains unchanged since its opening in 1984,” she says.
McKenzie Centre was opened in 1984 by Governor General David Beattie (centre). McKenzie Education Foundation chair Roy McKenzie speaks at the opening. Photo: Supplied.
Before it opened, representatives from the Child Development Centre at Waikato Hospital, the Society for the Intellectually Handicapped, Hamilton West School and the Hamilton Children’s Trust spent three years developing its goals and laying the centre’s foundation.
“Their vision was to offer a coordinated, transdisciplinary programme of specialised care, intervention, and education for children with disabilities from birth, with working in partnership with parents being crucial to its success,” says Kok.
The centre’s goal today is to help whānau identify their priorities for support and learning for their child, their family and themselves.
Children can be referred to the centre by parents, family, or friends.
It supports children and whānau within a 50 kilometre radius of its Hamilton base.
McKenzie Centre today
“The team collaborates with families to enhance children’s interaction and play skills, communication, understanding, expressive language, learning, emotional regulation, sensory awareness and social skills.”
Even after children leave the centre to go to school, the team maintains connections with them.
“The children that come through McKenzie Centre are part of our whānau,” says Suzanne.
“We don’t forget them, and we love seeing them when they come back for a visit.”
To mark its 40th anniversary, McKenzie Centre is hosting a celebration on November 2, at Hamilton West School grounds.
