Waitaki Valley Preschool has systems in place to deliver high quality care and education.
We aim to provide an environment where every child can learn and have fun, whilst they are safe and secure.
We run a play-based learning programme that works closely alongside the NZ Early Childhood Curriculum; Te Whāriki 2017.
We are licensed for up to 40 children each day with great teacher to child ratios. We increase our staff number above the minimum requirement to aim for: 0-2 years old with one teacher for up to four children. 2-6 year old’s with one teacher for up to nine children.”
In 2020 we reconfigured our layout to offer two classrooms. The whole Centre was refurbished with specialised furniture purchased to suit our tamariki. Our Awakino Room is home to our youngest children and also includes a dedicated infant area and separate sleep room. Our Aoraki room is home to our older children and includes an indoor loft and an additional room (Ako Kura room) to host our transition to school club time.
How does Waitaki Valley Preschool prioritise learning that is tailored to your child?
Our teachers are guided daily by
Your child’s interests
Your parent aspirations
Our Philosophy
NZ Early Childhood Curriculum – Te Whāriki 2017
The NZ Primary School Curriculum
Regular Professional Development for staff about latest theory
Recommended supporting documents by the Ministry of Education
Not sure what is in the Early Childhood Curriculum, Te Whāriki?
Te Whāriki is a document that looks at the development of a child across all areas; it asks teachers to weave all the core learning areas you think of when you think of education (such as math, science, literacy, the arts etc) through five core parts that make a child. Their well being, sense of belonging, their contribution, communication and exploration.
These five areas are known as the strands that our teachers use to set tailored learning outcomes for every child. Before we can do that, we are asked to have first taken time to learn about your child as a whole.
There are four principles we look at; relationships, family and community, holistic development and empowering them. Quite a bit to take in isn’t it?! Our teachers work together to plan for, assess and document learning to share with you in their profile books and online on StoryPark.
If you would like to find out more about this document, feel free to talk to us or visit this website.
Storypark
This free-to-parents online portfolio system alerts you by email every time a teacher adds an entry to your child’s ‘book’. You can opt to share with extended family and friends if you want to. All we need is an email address to link you to Storypark, then you will be prompted to pick a password when you receive the email invitation.
Never fear, we still print all this into a profile book that is on display at the centre for your child to interact with, and take as a memento when they leave preschool.
This portfolio is yours, so we encourage you to add information, photos and stories to help us build a complete picture of your child’s learning. You can share with us in any way that suits you! Communicating in person, online in the very easy-to-use Storypark or in their paper book. It all helps the teachers build stronger relationships with your child.
It is through this individual ‘book’ that our teachers will share their thoughts about your child’s learning development and with your input, create a learning plan just for your child. While the experiences we set up each day are offered to all children, our teachers will work alongside your child and support them in using these experiences to expand on their current learning stage. For one child it might be learning to hold a paint brush to control their own picture, while during the same experience, our teacher could be supporting another child with their cooperative play giving them the language needed to take turns with the paint colours.