148 Estuary Road, South New Brighton, Christchurch 8062
Estuary Road Preschool is a ‘home away from home’ for your child – a warm and welcoming environment where they can develop, learn and play while feeling secure and nurtured at all times.
Owned by Nicola and Stephen East, Estuary Road Preschool is staffed by a team of highly trained, experienced educators who are passionate about what they do. We are committed to being ‘a preschool with a heart’ because we know that children thrive in an environment that puts trust and relationships first.
We believe strong attachments are necessary for infants and toddlers to feel happy, relaxed and secure. All of our infants and toddlers have a primary caregiver who is responsible for developing trust and rapport. These nurturing and secure attachments enable children to better develop emotionally as well as cognitively, linguistically and physically.
Key teachers and respectful relationships are a focus, and children are offered opportunities to play in small or large groups or individually. This gives them the chance to learn about relationships at their own pace. Each child has input into what they want to learn about, and a variety of learning experiences are provided. These include maths, literacy, self help skills and social skills. Our preschool children are provided with new challenges daily, with the aim of broadening their interests and enhancing their skill levels.
The smaller number of children we enrol allows us to focus on providing primary care-giving relationships throughout our centre. Our teachers are able to slow down, listen to each child’s voice and interact on a one-to-one basis, ensuring every child’s development is maximised.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Our philosophy is centred on being ‘a preschool with a heart’ and we aim to develop a trusted relationship with all of our children, as well as their families. We provide a comfortable, secure environment where children can be confident and relaxed.
Our programme is founded on the Early Childhood Curriculum — Te Whāriki, complemented by a philosophy that encourages children to explore and develop their unique interests. The learning experiences that are offered are tailored to be developmentally and physically appropriate, with the focus being on enhancing each child's development. Children are also encouraged to take responsibility for themselves, their actions and their belongings to prepare them for the transition to school.
"I have never met a more caring, loving environment for children to grow and learn in." — Jackie, mother of Dakota
"Spending time there, I could see how much the staff care about the children and how well structured the preschool is." — Darren, father of Patrick and Callum
