Our Preschool Philosophy
We will:
Provide quality preschool care and education for children of residents and the wider community.
Provide a loving, understanding, accepting, respecting, warm, safe extended family/Whānau type environment in which the children can grow, share, and learn under the guidance of caring and qualified staff.
Foster the physical, social, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual development of the children through the provision of an ongoing educational program; including sharing the Christian faith through Bible stories, praying, songs and rhymes and values of love and acceptance.
Establish effective communication with parents/caregivers/whānau and their children in an organisation in which all are encouraged to be involved and to participate in decision making.
The preschool is designed to provide the child with a stimulating and enjoyable environment.
Young children learn through play. Therefore, we provide a wide variety of equipment and activities, including dough play, family corner, manipulative equipment, sand and water play, art, music, stories, trips, and other creative extension activities.
We believe in:
- Respecting the heritage and culture of both parties to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, The Treaty of Waitangi.
- Acknowledging and respecting areas of bicultural sensitivity.
- Te Whāriki (2017), the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum.
- Child initiated, free play – children learning through “doing’.
- Providing an individual, flexible, adaptable, and stimulating program.
- Inclusion of all; irrespective of age, culture, ethnicity, gender, or ability.
- Children working at their own level of development.
- Adults working alongside children for the purpose of extending their learning.
- Creating a challenging environment while ensuring health, safety, and acceptance.
- Working with parents as partners for the benefit of the child.
- Respecting children as individuals.
- Creating an environment in which children can learn social and emotional skills e.g., sharing, co-operation, problem solving, and respect for others.
- Fostering independence through encouraging self-help skills.