The Learning Space
The environment is viewed as the ‘third teacher’ A philosophical stance that necessitates a richly resourced habitat, valuing both aesthetics and beauty as a teaching tool that is flexible and dynamic. Stimulating children’s engagement, imagination and exploration of both learning materials and spaces.
The visual presentations on our walls show exciting investigations inspired by the children’s interest and echo children’s voices. It is a place where the inspiration of the Reggio Emilia philosophy meets New Zealand culture to create a challenging yet supportive and encouraging environment.
Our teachers/ kaiako are registered, experienced, passionate and dedicated to providing high quality learning experiences and environments for children and their families.. We have a deep commitment to ongoing self-review and continue to engage in multifaceted professional learning.
“Well established learning-focused partnerships with parents and whanau enable teachers to extend and enrich children’s learning and progress”. Education Review Office Report (2023).
“A clear vision and shared understanding underpin teachers’ collective teaching practice. Their interactions with children are purposeful and intentionally focused on extending children’s learning. Children’s language and thinking is fostered through authentic dialogue with their teachers and peers in meaningful contexts”. Education Review Office Report (2023).
THE NEST
A very special place for our youngest children located in the heart of the house with a spacious sleep room that opens off the main play space and a separate outdoor garden that is accessed off the verandah.
The teaching team strive to provide a calm, nurturing environment, supported by strong relationships that foster a sense of belonging and wellbeing; recognising and igniting infants’ critical thinking as they engage in ‘daily wonder’
.“Teachers know the children very well and are welcomed into a calm and settled environment. Infants benefit from consistent care as teachers respectfully respond to their individual needs” Education Review Office Report (2023)
KIWI ROOM
An inviting space for our competent and capable two and three year old children who are encouraged to be independent explorers and learners whilst building relationships with others. A wide range of opportunities are available to them to support discoveries, creativity, prompt problem-solving and challenges as they play together.
“Tikanga Māori concepts are woven naturally into the curriculum and physical environment. A strong commitment to teachers’ ongoing learning of te reo Māori is evident”. Education Review Office Report (2023)
“Teachers extend opportunities through their conversations with children. Helping to build children’s persistence, research and experimentation, leading to learning that afrms their sense of themselves as successful learners and leaders”. Education Review Office Report (2018)
Regency Home and Hospital visits
The Kiwi room began a relationship with regency home and hospital in 2024. Connections built over time have been magical. The children are always excited to leave for the short wall to visit the “grandmas and grandads”. We see such value in the empathy and openness to differences that these visits nurture.
TUI ROOM
A space where our older children are entrusted to make their own choices, encouraged to pursue critical thinking and facilitate complex play opportunities. Teachers enhance freedoms for investigations, problem solving, imaginative and creative play with the use of carefully selected provocations, meaningful conversations and a variety of resources and tools.
Ngāhere Exploration
Our visits to the local ngāhere invite the children to explore the environment; provoking thinking, creativity, emotions, problem solving and communication within an authentic and dynamic environment. Opportunities arise for working theories to be created, deconstructed and evolve; complexities intertwined with simple moments of unhurried research and pleasure. Materials collected enable continued exploration back at the centre, by using ‘multiple languages’ to study the objects and their relationship with the ngahere and all they offer us.
We view Cecil Eady Bush as the perfect environment and a catalyst to create a sense of interconnectedness; a place where the children can continue to form their ‘notion of self’ where the group can forge deeper connections and relationships with each other and where a pervading essence of connection with nature can flourish. This exploration supports children to build the foundations to become lifelong learners and kaitiaki (guardians) of the natural world.
“Capable and knowledgeable teachers continually evaluate the quality of their practise with a focus on continuous improvement”. Education Review Office Report (2023)