Childcare options in Bishopdale

Little Blue Penguin is located at 68 Farrington Ave, Bishopdale. We are close to recreational areas such as: parks, Bishopdale shopping centre, YMCA, a community centre and a new library. There are four primary schools close by, making it a prime location for smooth transitions to school, and we are right across the road from Isleworth School.     

The building is a carefully refurbished home, designed with the centre’s philosophy and vision in mind. Careful thought and planning went into transforming the house into a functional early childhood centre that offers a home away from home feel. The section provides a play-scape where children are free to explore their natural world.  

The outdoor environment is designed as a natural setting that encourages children’s natural curiosity, wonderment and awe. Plants, trees and grasses provide natural shade, and the smells, sights and textures that children need for optimal development, positive sensory experiences and a nurtured well-being.

Our children, parents and whanau come first and we strive to provide a welcoming, supportive and loving environment for all. We offer high teacher to child ratios with a fun, experienced and passionate team of early childhood teachers.

Our Nursery is licensed for 10 children under two years old, and our Preschool for up to 30 children. Our children are empowered to take risks, explore and develop their sense of belonging while making use of our spacious indoor and outdoor facilities.

Our Philosophy

Our Core Purpose

Investing in the Next Generation

Our Values

Caring, Respect, Responsibility and Honesty

Tamariki – Children

• Through strong relationships and whānaungatanga (being able to relate to others), tamariki develop a sense of belonging and they feel safe, secure and confident in their tuhura (discovery) of the world around them.
• Through scaffolding tamariki independence via a wide range of activities and experiences, tamariki develop rangatiratanga (the ability to manage oneself) and their hauora (mind, body and spirit).
• E whakapono ana mātau ki te mana, ki te miharo a te tamaiti, ki a tātau tamariki – We believe in the power and wonder of the child, our tamariki.

Whānaungatanga – Partnerships

• We value parents and whānau as first teachers of their tamariki and respect their beliefs, culture and aspirations.
• We see the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and what this partnership means.
• Through strong, reciprocal relationships and mana reo (communication) with whānau and tamariki, we support the development of manawaroa (resilience) and whakaoti rapanga (problem solving) for all tamariki.

Ahurea – Culture

• We provide an inclusive environment through the use of te reo Māori, tikanga and providing tamariki with the opportunity to learn and develop respect for both parties of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• We embrace cultural diversity through our environment, languages, resources and relationships.
• We encourage tuhura (discovery) through an environment that is warm and inviting and replicates the home environment.

Kaiako – Teachers

• We are committed to ongoing professional learning and support for all kaiako.
• We employ and support qualified kaiako and kaiako in training to ensure the best learning outcomes and care for our tamariki.
• Kaiako are seen as role models who know each tamaiti well and therefore have the ability to empower all tamariki.

Kātahi anō ka tuku tātau ki te hanga i tētahi tūāpapa mo te aroha tūturu o te akoranga

Finally, we are committed to building a foundation for a lifelong love of learning

Bishopdale Community Preschool was established by the community within the Bishopdale Mall complex over 40 years ago.  Since the Christchurch earthquake disruption we have been operating from the Breens Intermediate School site on Breens Road.  In 2016 we opened our new building on this site. 

We operate as a registered society that is not-for-profit; this allows us to put any surplus funds back into the development of the centre. We have a management committee of volunteer parents that together with the teaching team and the centre manager work to continually improve the service we provide to the community.

We are a non-profit, community-based Preschool, situated in the Bishopdale area. Our centre has been operating for many years providing quality care and education for the children of our local community. We have a license for 40 children, 8 in the Nursery with a ratio of 1 adult to 4 children and 32 in the Preschool with a ratio of 1 adult to 8 children. Ninety percent of teachers are fully qualified. Each child has a Personal Profile Book in which their achievements and progress from their first day are recorded.  

At Cotswold Preschool and Nursery we have a self-choice programme and base our planning around children’s interests. Therefore learning & development is not based around subject areas but around the dispositions for learning. These help children develop courage, curiosity, playfulness, trust, perseverance and confidence. Our curriculum encourages children to become robust and enduring thus equipping children for future learning.  

Our centre is run by a parent committee which is elected each year at our AGM. All parents are welcome to join and become involved in the continued growth and development of our centre.