Ponsonby Community Preschool

At Ponsonby Community Preschool the children and whanau are at the heart of the learning and teaching environment we provide.  Being a not-for-profit, community based preschool allows us to operate with a high qualified teacher to child ratio.  This enables us to provide our tamariki with a quality learning environment that gives them the best possible learning outcomes.

We have an inclusive curriculum that removes any barriers to participation in learning providing equal opportunities for all children and a commitment to bicultural teaching practices. The learning experiences that we design are meaningful and based on our knowledge of the Early Childhood Curriculum – Te Whariki, and the individual child’s interests.  We use a ‘notice, recognise and respond’ methodology, working in unison with our whanau in order for children to reach their learning goals.

We believe that children are competent, capable, learners.  We, as teachers, empower our tamariki to share their interests and we respond to their unique, individual personalities, cultures, ideas and needs.  We have an environment that fosters a child’s sense of belonging, where they know that they have a place to grow and develop into confident lifelong learners.

We believe that the environment acts as a third teacher.  We aim to create an inviting, responsive learning environment that will entice our children to engage and where we, as teachers, can support and deepen the learning that is occurring.

Our preschool is truly a home away from home for our tamariki, whanau and kaiako.  We provide love, care, guidance and support to our learners from two to six years of age, affirming them in their identity as their learning journey continues towards school.  We support children and whanau through the transition to school, as we lay the foundation for them to become confident, lifelong learners; curious, capable, and full of wonder for the world around them and beyond.