ACG Strathallan Early Learning School

Children aged three months to five years can grow and develop in the nurturing environment of ACG Strathallan’s Early Learning School, situated on a large, beautiful early learning campus in Karaka.   

A positive foundation for learning At ACG Strathallan, we introduce children to a love of play and learning, by creating opportunities to explore, experiment, solve problems and express themselves as individuals. Personal development for life Along with a positive start to learning, our teachers place an emphasis on oral language development and nurturing social relationships. Our teachers know a structured foundation is important for young children, to help them develop and grow into confident individuals.  We provide an exceptional learning space for our early learners, with high quality staff who care and guide our young children.

Infant Early Learning School – from three months With a purpose-built, creative and stimulating play and learning area, our infant preschool caters for children from three months to two years. To maintain our high level of quality, care and attention, we have a staff ratio of one teacher to four children.

Junior Early Learning School – two to four years Young children are now encouraged to play, think, experiment, develop self-expression and curiosity.  Language skills are developed alongside social skills.  Our teachers are highly dedicated and we maintain a strict ratio of one staff member to nine children.

Senior Early Learning School - we’ve developed a School Readiness curriculum so that children are excited and prepared for continuous learning.  We support children in creative and critical thought processes throughout their day, and we provide experiences that introduce children to early concepts of maths, science, art, reading and other curriculum areas.  We nurture children to become confident by supporting them to think clearly and solve problems, to have the confidence to ask questions and expand their knowledge.  It’s well known that children who start school feeling confident and capable are better placed to have learning success for life.

Our Philosophy

Strathallan Preschool advocates for the rights of all children, valuing and embracing the culture of childhood and respecting children as active members of society.

We base our philosophy upon Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum: Te Whāriki, as well as the integration of a strong inspirational influence from the Reggio Emilia educational philosophy.

The importance of these influences guides our philosophy statement under the four principles of Te Whāriki with the image of the child, parent and teacher being incorporated within these.

The four principles of Te Whāriki:

• Whakamana (Empowerment) – we empower children to evolve as interactive learners and creators of knowledge, actively engaging and exploring the wider world around them.
• Kotahitanga (Holistic Development) – our curriculum reflects the holistic way that children learn through acknowledging them as unique individuals who are capable and hold a richness of cultural identity.
• Whānau Tangata (Family and Community) – we acknowledge that the wider world of family, whānau and community is an integral part of our curriculum, and we foster active participation from all.
• Ngā Hononga (Relationships) – we believe children learn through responsive and reciprocal relationships with people, places and things and encourage participation in meaningful ways.