Glenavon Early Childhood Centre

We are a non-profit community organisation, run by a group of voluntary committee members. Our Centre is located in the grounds of Glenavon School and offers 20 hours free education and care. We not only offer our services to families from Blockhouse Bay but to surrounding areas that include Avondale, New Windsor, New Lynn and Mt. Roskill.

Our Philosophy

At Glenavon Early Childhood Centre-

We believe children learn best in a safe, healthy and respectful environment.

We believe that play provides children opportunities to learn through experiences and interactions with people, places and things. We believe that curriculum and learning emerges from children’s play, interest, strengths, and prior knowledge.

We value the life-long process of learning. We recognize place of whanau as first teachers, and the importance of building learning partnerships.

We value our bicultural heritage and our diverse community of learners. We therefore, recognize that it is important for all learners to feel comfortable in who they are and with Te Ao Maori.

We encourage and support children to develop:

• positive self-esteem and mana
• into independent competent learners who see learning as engaging and fun
• positive self-identity, and the confidence to share their culture
• understanding and respect for other cultures, languages and beliefs
• familiarity with tikanga Maori and Te reo
• respect for self, others and the environment
• compassion, sensitivity and care for others around them
• exploration skills and ability to question their environment
• creative, deeper thinking and problem solving skills by providing meaningful, purposeful and relevant learning opportunities
• ability to communicate and contribute to group situations
• attitudes, knowledge, and skills for lifelong learning; and key competencies for smooth transition to school.