Pre-school Life (Student-oriented Information)

Starting Pre-school is a significant milestone for your child, and we do everything we can to ensure that they are happy from their very first visit. Our transition process is tailored to the individual needs of your child and family. It can sometimes take a little while to get used to the new surroundings, and we will ensure this is a smooth transition. This usually involves you and your child visiting the Pre-school together a couple of times to meet the teachers and other children and become familiarised with the environment. After those first visits, you will hopefully feel comfortable to leave your child for short periods of time, until they are ready to start full sessions. The length of this process is fully dependent on your child and you feeling ready for the next step.

We encourage parental involvement in our programme throughout your child’s time with us, and have an open-door policy, meaning you are welcome at the Pre-school any time.

Our rich curriculum has been developed in consultation with the Junior Department at St Andrew’s College, to provide our children with a wide range of experiences, which optimally prepares them for their primary school years. The children are supported on a unique journey of investigation and discovery, as they undertake inquiry-based learning in:

• Literacy;
• Numeracy;
• Science;
• Art;
• Cultural Studies;
• Physical Education;
• Music.

We regularly assess and enhance our environment in response to the needs and interests of the children.

Teachers plan carefully to integrate as many curriculum areas as possible during the week, and to extend each child’s experiences and learning through our exciting Enrichment Activities.

Each child is placed in an age-appropriate group with a key teacher who is responsible for the documentation of their learning and development. Other specialist staff and teachers in the St Andrew’s College community are called on as required, in areas including Learning Support, Extension, and Evaluation.

Enrichment Activities

During the week, the children participate in one of our exciting enrichment activities, which support the Pre-school’s learning curriculum. Click here to see the St Andrew's College Pre-school Daily Routine.

Yoga and Mindfulness

The regular Yoga and Mindfulness programme at the Pre-school provides the children with many physical and emotional benefits. Their flexibility, strength and co-ordination is enhanced, along with a heightened body awareness and improvement in concentration. Through Yoga and Mindfulness, the children learn tools to help release stress and promote a sense of calm, which helps to prepare them for life in a busy world.

Cooking

As part of our Food Technology programme, the children love to get in the Pre-school’s modern kitchen and take part in cooking lessons with our teachers. As well as having lots of fun following a recipe, and eating the results of their hard work, these sessions teach the children self-direction, independence, and help them to develop confidence and pride in their skills and abilities.

Drama

Weekly Drama sessions provide the children with a wonderful opportunity to explore their creativity, have fun, and develop self-confidence. The children also love to watch Drama productions at St Andrew’s College, which are suitable for their age and development.

Spanish Lessons

The children take part in weekly Spanish lessons with our Secondary School Spanish teacher, which helps to develop their brains and boosts cross-cultural understanding.

Our Pre-school children prepare for and participate in a number of special events each year, which they love to share with parents and whānau.

Art Exhibition

The Art Exhibition is always a highlight for the children, with the Pre-school transformed into a gallery of artworks they have created. This event is a wonderful celebration of the children’s creative expression, and they take great pride in showing their work to their families.

Christmas Concert

The festive season is a special time of year for the Pre-school children, who take part in a delightful Christmas Concert, and are encouraged to give thanks to the people in the St Andrew’s College community who assisted them during the year. They look
forward to baking seasonal treats, wrapping them, and delivering them. The children also help to put together a Charity Christmas Hamper, which introduces the joy of giving and helping others.

Boarders’ Breakfast

There is always lots of excitement when the Pre-school children visit the dining room in Strowan House in their pyjamas for a Boarders’ Breakfast, with senior boarders from St Andrew’s College. They love spending this special time with the ‘big kids’ and sharing a delicious breakfast.

Book Parade

To celebrate books and a love of reading, Pre-school children join with Preparatory School students and dress as their favourite book characters for a fun, colourful Book Parade. As part of Book Week, students from Year 8 classes also visit the Pre-school to read to the children.

Matariki Celebration

The Matariki Celebration is a magical night of art, music, connection, and kai, enjoyed by the Pre-school children and their whānau. The celebration is a wonderful way for parents and grandparents to connect, and for new families to be welcomed into the St Andrew’s College Pre-school community.

Grandparents’ Day

There are always lots of happy faces across the generations when grandparents of all students at St Andrew’s College, including the Pre-school, are welcomed to Grandparents’ Day. They enjoy a delicious morning tea, entertainment, and tours of the College with their grandchildren.

We provide a quiet, restful area with individual beds and bedding for children requiring a sleep during the day.

Support for children’s routine toileting is provided and we endeavour to complement the toilet training efforts being made at home.

We have close links with the Junior Department at the St Andrew’s College Preparatory School and have a comprehensive transition-to-school programme, which ensures children who will be starting their schooling at St Andrew’s are well prepared for this next exciting step in their education journey.

Prospective parents are always welcome to bring their children in for a visit, and join us at the Pre-school Open Day, which is part of the annual Preparatory School Open Day each year.