Fantail room - 6 months - 3yrs
The Fantail Room caters for children providing a warm, nurturing environment where babies and toddlers feel safe, secure, and develop a strong sense of belonging. We recognise that the first years of life are a crucial time for growth, learning, and development, and we are committed to making every moment count.
Our teachers take the time to get to know each child well and build strong relationships with families and whānau, creating meaningful connections between home and the centre that support children's wellbeing and learning.
Our younger children enjoy uninterrupted time to play, explore, and discover at their own pace. We work around each child's individual routines, creating an unhurried and responsive environment where children feel respected and valued. Our practice is influenced by the RIE philosophy, which encourages respectful relationships with infants and toddlers. We involve children in their care routines and view these everyday moments as valuable opportunities for connection, communication, and learning.
Through music and movement, storytelling, sensory experiences, and play-based learning opportunities, children are encouraged to explore and make sense of the world around them. We place a strong emphasis on sensory exploration, allowing children to learn through seeing, touching, hearing, tasting, and experiencing their environment. Teachers follow each child's interests and stage of development, providing experiences that support their individual growth and emerging independence.
Babies and toddlers learn and play together in the Fantail room, fostering relationships, confidence, and a sense of community. Outdoors, children have opportunities to explore alongside others, developing social skills and learning through shared experiences. Throughout the day, we also provide experiences that cater to different ages and stages, ensuring every child is supported and challenged in ways that are meaningful to them. Through caring interactions and responsive teaching, we nurture curiosity, confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning
Tui room - 3 and over
In the Tui Room, children aged three to six years confidently explore their environment and engage in self-directed play and group learning experiences. They build strong relationships with their peers and teachers, learning to negotiate, collaborate, and share their ideas as they play, investigate, and discover together. Children are encouraged to follow their interests, engage in imaginative play, and develop a deep appreciation for the natural world.
Our curriculum is guided by Te Whāriki, supporting children to grow as confident and competent learners who are secure in their sense of belonging and empowered to contribute to their community. Teachers thoughtfully provide resources, experiences, and provocations that extend children's learning and encourage sustained engagement.
Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, we view children as capable and competent learners with many ways of expressing their ideas, theories, and creativity. We provide opportunities for children to communicate and create through a wide variety of tools and materials, including drawing, painting, clay, construction, loose parts, light exploration, and other creative mediums.
Our programme is a balance of emergent learning, project work, and intentional teaching. Projects and inquiries emerge from children's interests, allowing them to investigate topics in meaningful and authentic ways. Alongside this, teachers intentionally plan experiences and learning opportunities that support children's developing knowledge, skills, and dispositions across all areas of learning.
We encourage children to actively participate in the daily running of the programme through helping with jobs and taking responsibility for their environment, fostering independence, confidence, and a sense of contribution.
We also embrace the tuakana–teina philosophy, where older and more experienced children support and guide younger learners. These relationships nurture leadership, empathy, collaboration, and a strong sense of belonging within our learning community.
We create a learning environment that supports children to develop the social, emotional, physical, and learning dispositions needed for a successful transition to school. By working closely with local schools and families, we help ensure each child moves confidently into the next stage of their learning journey, equipped with the skills and confidence to succeed
Our outdoor space, garden and neighbouring park
At Plum Tree Preschool, we believe children learn best through hands-on experiences, exploration, and play. Our outdoor environment provides endless opportunities for tamariki to challenge themselves, develop confidence, and express their creativity. Teachers thoughtfully design engaging provocations that inspire curiosity and imagination, while obstacle courses, climbing challenges, and active games help children strengthen their gross motor skills, balance, coordination, and resilience.
Our sandpit and water play areas are hubs of discovery, where children investigate scientific concepts, experiment with cause and effect, solve problems, and work collaboratively with their peers. We also offer enriching experiences such as gardening, carpentry, and nature-based projects, encouraging children to develop practical skills, creativity, and a sense of responsibility for their environment.
Beyond our gates, we are fortunate to have a fully fenced community park right next door, providing even more opportunities for adventure and physical development. Children enjoy the monkey bars, swings, slides, seesaws, and open spaces for running, kite flying, bike days, and our popular Playball sessions during the warmer months. We also regularly venture on bush walks to explore the natural world, observe insects and native wildlife, and foster a deep appreciation for nature. These experiences help children build confidence, develop a sense of wonder, and strengthen their connection to the world around them.
