Smoochie McGill Early Learning

At Smoochie McGill Early Learning we believe in providing a caring, creative environment, which encourages relationships between teachers, children, parents and whānau. This is key to providing quality education and care.

Our Vision

All children, teachers and whānau thrive in our engaging learning setting.  Children see themselves as successful learners, full of potential.

Our Children

We believe that children are full of potential, competence, and are capable of directing their own learning. They have the capacity for representing ideas in a wide variety of symbolic and realistic approaches. We encourage children to investigate, make sense of objects and ideas about which they are curious, and to become promoters of culture, values and rights. 

Our Teachers

We provide an atmosphere of harmony as we believe it is essential in facilitating positive, supportive relationships. Reciprocal communication between the children, parents and teachers is paramount to offer a foundation where we can work together to create the spirit of cooperation, collaboration, and co-construction of knowledge. The role of our teachers is to be a co-learner alongside the children. Through working together, we work towards a common purpose – the building of a culture which respects childhood as a time to explore, investigate, create, and be happy.

Our Environment

We trust that every child should be encouraged to grow and learn in a natural environment that facilitates a positive contribution to society. We aim to provide an environment that encourages collaboration, communication and exploration. Our spaces are filled with natural light, order and beauty. Each space has an identity and a purpose and are cared for and respected by the children and the adults. It is significant for our spaces to be alive, flexible and open to change to support our children in exploring deeper into their interests and investigations.

Our Parents

We strive to offer a home away from home, where there is mutual respect and trust. We value parent participation and see their involvement as a necessary voice in their child’s learning. We respect the partnership that we have with our parents and wish to continue to build on it through working together cooperatively and transparently. 

“The environment should act as an aquarium which reflects the ideas, ethics, attitudes and culture of the people who live in it.  This is what we are working towards” Loris Malaguzzi (creator of the Reggio Emilia approach in early learning)