A small group of our older tamariki enjoyed a trip to a local coffee shop and bookshop. It was a delight to see such rangatiratanga as they explored the bookshop respectfully and made thoughtful and colloborative thinking, chosing a wonderful book to bring back and share with everyone at preschool. We enjoyed some morning tea together and played on the grass before returning to preschool.

Our tamariki have been enjoying simple carpentry experiences, using real tools to hammer nails and create their own designs. This hands-on learning supports confidence, coordination, and problem-solving, while encouraging creativity and a strong sense of mana and achievement.

The children have been noticing walnuts falling from the trees and were excited to collect them up to take home. This sparked lots of curiosity and conversation, as tamariki explored the changing season and enjoyed gathering their own little treasures from the outdoors.

Through this experience, children were showing kaitiakitanga, caring for and respecting the natural environment as they collected and shared what they found.

Our tamariki have been making the most of our outdoor environment, enjoying fresh air, movement, and hands-on exploration. Through creative loose parts play and exploring the space, children are using their imagination to build, role play and create, and problem-solve in meaningful ways.

Our pool noodle game is a high-energy favourite for children who need to move.

With shortened pool noodles in hand, tamariki are challenged to gently tap and try to knock their friend’s noodle out of their hands — all within clear boundaries and agreed rules. It’s fast, fun, and full of laughter.

This game supports self-regulation, body control, coordination, and learning to manage excitement in a safe way. Children practise stopping and starting on cue, controlling their strength, and respecting personal space — turning big energy into positive, purposeful play.

We had a special visitor hop into the centre this week — the Easter Bunny! The children were delighted to discover Easter treats left behind, sparking excitement and moments of kindness as our older children looked out for our wee ones and shared their easter treats.

Our toddlers love gathering at the little window in the fence — especially when the rubbish trucks roll by.

The rumble, the lifting bins, the loud crash — it’s instant excitement. As tamariki point, wave, and talk about what they see, they build language and deepen their understanding of the world around them.

These moments strengthen whanaungatanga (connection) as children see themselves as part of their wider community.

Slime isn’t just fun — it can also be a powerful tool for emotional regulation.

When children feel overwhelmed or unsettled, the slow stretching and squeezing slime provides calming sensory input. The repetitive movement helps settle busy bodies and gives tamariki something tangible to focus on as they breathe and reset.

Using sensory play as a regulation strategy supports children to recognise their feelings, develop self-control, and build healthy coping skills in a safe, supportive environment.

Slime play is always a favourite in our preschool. As tamariki stretch it, squeeze it, roll it, and watch it slowly drip through their fingers, they explore texture, resistance, and cause and effect. They even smell it — noticing its scent and sharing what it reminds them of.

It is a language-rich experience, as children describe the slime as “sticky,” “stretchy,” “gooey,” or “cold,” building vocabulary and expressive communication skills. This rich sensory play also strengthens fine motor development and supports early scientific thinking. Slime may look simple, but it sparks curiosity, creativity, and meaningful learning through play.

Tuākana–teina is an important part of our preschool culture. Older or more experienced tamariki naturally guide and support younger peers, whether helping with routines or encouraging them in play.

Through these relationships, children build leadership, confidence, and empathy, while strengthening whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, and the mana of both the tuākana and the teina.

We took time to talk about the meaning of St Patrick’s Day, learning why it is celebrated and exploring its traditions. The children had lots of fun trying to copy Irish dancing, sharing plenty of smiles and laughter along the way.

Throughout the day, cheeky leprechauns created mischief, sparking curiosity and imagination for our tamariki.

We also celebrated our wonderful kaiako with special St Patrick’s Day treats, helping to build a strong sense of belonging in our Christchurch preschool community.

Four-year-olds need movement and challenge. Today the tyres became the perfect opportunity, with tamariki jumping in, on, and over them — testing distance, balance, and control.

These active moments strengthen tinana (bodies) while also building confidence, resilience, and risk assessment skills. As tamariki challenge themselves and succeed, their mana and belief in their own capabilities continue to grow.

Visiting the new entrant classroom is an exciting step for our tamariki. It gives them the chance to reconnect with old preschool friends and see familiar faces in their new kura environment.

During the visit, children learn about school routines — where to put their bags, how mat time works, and what happens during learning blocks. These experiences strengthen their mana, build confidence, and support a smooth transition from preschool to kura, helping them feel ready and capable for this next step in their learning journey.

Counting and number recognition are woven naturally into our daily play. Whether children are building with blocks, setting the table for kai, measuring in the sandpit, or counting friends at mat time, early maths learning happens in meaningful, hands-on ways.

Through play-based learning, children develop number recognition, one-to-one counting, understanding of quantity, and early problem-solving skills. By making numeracy fun and purposeful, we build strong foundations for school readiness and lifelong learning.

Holi ki hardik shubhkamnayein — Happy Holi!

Our preschool came alive with colour as we celebrated Holi, the festival of colour, joy, and togetherness. Tamariki enjoyed music, dancing, crafts, and sharing delicious food.

The highlight was celebrating with gulal, the traditional coloured powder used during Holi. Some children jumped into the colour fun, while others watched from the outside and others helped capture the moment in photos.

Celebrating cultural festivals helps our tamariki appreciate differences, spark curiosity, and welcome diversity. 

Rituals are an important part of life in our preschool. They create connection, belonging, and shared meaning for our tamariki. Celebrating birthdays is one of those special traditions.

On their birthday, each child makes a crown alongside their kaiako and other important people in their life. Together, they create something meaningful that reflects the relationships that matter most. This simple ritual strengthens identity, nurtures belonging, and surrounds each child with aroha as they celebrate their special day.

Through these rituals we also nurture key Māori dispositions — mana (confidence and self-worth), whanaungatanga (relationships and connection), and manaakitanga (care and respect for others). Children see themselves as valued members of our preschool whānau.

Our preschoolers regularly head out into the community, visiting our local playground to explore, learn, and challenge themselves. Trying new play equipment builds confidence, resilience, coordination, and gross motor skills while children learn to take supported risks.

These excursions strengthen friendships, encourage teamwork, and deepen children’s sense of belonging within our local community.

Manaakitanga was on full display as a child noticed when a younger child needed help, so he stepped in with care and kindness. Through offering a hand, waiting patiently, and encouraging her, he showed empathy and respect for others. These everyday moments of helping build strong relationships, confidence, and a sense of belonging, reminding us that caring for others is at the heart of our learning community.

We loved celebrating Lunar New Year at preschool with a day full of colour, culture, and connection.

Tamariki enjoyed tasting dumplings, moving to traditional music, and dancing together with big smiles. We explored Chinese crafts, creating beautiful red decorations — a colour symbolising luck and happiness — and many children chose to dress in red to mark the occasion.

Celebrating cultural events like Lunar New Year helps children learn about traditions beyond their own, strengthening respect, curiosity, and whanaungatanga within our diverse preschool community.

To our families celebrating, we wish you happiness, good health, and prosperity in the year ahead. 新年快乐 (Xīn nián kuài lè)!

Some invitations to play are instantly successful. The simple task of squeezing lemons drew a large group of eager children, all keen to take part. This hands-on experience captured attention, encouraged turn-taking and cooperation, and supported sensory exploration as children squeezed, poured, and ultimately tasted the lemons.