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St Mary's Preschool

St. Mary’s Preschool is a unique environment that is set up to cater for children ranging from 0-5 years, from all ethnicities and backgrounds. The centre is located in the spacious, tranquil grounds of the ATWC where all children are encouraged to explore a rich, stimulating and self choice environment, learning against a backdrop of positive encouragement, warm and reciprocal relationships from adults

Preschool runs alongside many programmes that operate under the umbrella of ATWC which families can be referred to if a need arises. Our aim is to work with the child as a whole as Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory pointed out “it takes a village to educate a child” [MOE, 1999].  

Partnership with families is vital in the work  that we do which is why we encourage all parent(s) to participate in programmes that we provide, for a smooth transition into primary school as well as within the centre. 
Preschool is run by qualified and experienced staff who have also worked with children who have experienced trauma in their lives.

St. Mary’s Preschool is a sessional licenced centre for 35 children, ranging from 0 to 5 years.
Our Mission is to make a difference in the lives of children and their families and work for change to help all children reach their full potential.

Our Centre Philosophy

We believe in:

• Providing an inclusive, nurturing environment where both children and adults are valued
• Providing an age-appropriate, stimulating, rich and challenging environment that enables each child to select a self-choice activity of interest and work at a stage developmentally appropriate  for that child
• Planning programs with links to Te Whariki Early Childhood Curriculum, Quality in Action, Quality Journey, New Zealand curriculum as well as current research which is based on children’s interest, both individual and in groups and where play is acknowledged as a natural means for children to learn
• Providing an environment where children’s contributions are acknowledged and their efforts  celebrated as staff focus on enhancing each child’s self-esteem and self-confidence
• Providing an environment where partnerships are nurtured and adults are recognized as learners.
• Providing opportunities for children to learn through play and active exploration
• Promoting Te Reo and Tikanga Maori to make them visible and affirming their value for children, from all cultural backgrounds.
• Honouring the Treaty of Waitangi to implement a bicultural curriculum

Operational hours

9.00am to 12.00 Monday to Friday
& 12.30 pm to 3.30pm Tuesday to Friday
9.00am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday, for all 4 year olds.

Physical address
10 Beatty Street, Otahuhu

Fees
Free 20 hours ECE and subsidies for 3 and 4 year olds (effective 1st July 2007)
$10.00 per week for families who qualify for subsidies

Contact
Morin Singh (09) 276 3729 ext 255