Our teaching philosophy follows the New Zealand Early Childhood Education Curriculum, Te Whariki. With fun and adventure at the heart of our days we create a nurturing, safe and inclusive learning environment. We believe learning through play builds resilience and supports social and emotional development and in turn, growth and a sense of self worth. Your children will be empowered to develop physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually.
Kaiako believe in nurturing family and community relationships. With the benefit of many years experience our highly skilled Kaiako build and maintain warm and respectful relationships with tamariki and their whanau. We continually provide opportunities for family to contribute to the life of the centre. We recognise Parents and whanau as the first educators of tamariki. Our families aspirations and experiences are valued and evident within our curriculum.
Our Kaiako balance free play, and rhythms with routines incorporating both teacher and child-led learning experiences. Through Ako, the reciprocal process in which we learn from eachother, Kaiako facilitate both spontaneous and planned experiences. Our tamariki feel encouraged and empowered in decision-making. Thus challenging themselves to problem solve, discover, theorise and co-operate.
Our teachers are highly qualified in Early Childhood Leanring. We follow the Te Whariki Learning Strands. These encourage learning through play.This is the the pedagogical foundation of Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum.The curriculum ensure our children are taught a variety of skills from Thinking; Interpersonal; Intrapersonal; Student Agency and Smooth Transitions to School.
Celebrating the cultural diversity of Aotearoa is a joy. Also, we are committed to promoting NZs bicultural heritage . So, we honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi through Te Reo and tikanga Māori practices. Cultural diversity is celebrated fully at Small Miracles through music, language and cultural events. Furthermore, to know the culture of tamariki and whanau is to fully understand the whanau/families aspirations, needs and beliefs for their child
We foster and apply Christian values: Our Christian Philosophy is woven through our daily routines of the centre and our integral relationship with St Heliers Presbyterian Church. It is also evident when we interact with our families and whanau. We endeavour to foster the Christian values and Maori principles such as manaakitanga with the qualities of peace, love, sharing and tolerance.
Small Miracles endeavours to create a nurturing, safe and inclusive learning environment where tamariki are treated with dignity and respect. Tamariki will be given opportunities to empower themselves to develop physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually.
Fortunately, Small Miracles has the wrap-around support of the wonderful St Heliers Centre. Located on St Heliers Bay Road, our Learning Centre is nestled beneath the Presbyterian Church and the Community Centre facilities. Often, families in the area get to know of our Preschool when they visit the centre. Whether you’re a part of the Parish or have been to classes including baby sensory play, yoga or other events, everyone is welcome. St Heliers Presbyterian Church has been bringing together the Eastern Bays community for over one hundred years.
Starting pre-school is a big transition, so we offer half day sessions to ease your child into a Pre-school routine.
As your child approaches school age, we introduce special activities through our Little Explorer Programme.
