Our Vision, Values and Education Philosophies

To provide a beautiful learning environment where children are supported to explore, imagine, and develop their unique identity.

Our philosophy embodies the principles of the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum – Te Whāriki. The relationship between the Pre-school and the wider St Andrew’s College community further enriches our Curriculum and gives us the opportunity to work in partnership to support your child’s ongoing learning journey. We believe that children are full of inherent potential and aspire to unlock this as we create a strong foundation, built on our Four Priorities for Learning.

Your child will have the opportunity to engage in a range of experiences that support them to be mindful, at peace, and to find joy in living in the present moment. Children at our Pre-school work and play alongside each other in a beautiful environment, developing social competence skills as they learn to share ideas, work collaboratively, and problem-solve. Sustainability and healthy ways of being are other key aspects of our philosophy.

We celebrate the bicultural partnership inherent within Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and weave this into our daily practice. Relationships are at the heart of our programme and we embrace all cultures and beliefs our families encompass.

Social-emotional competency is increasingly recognised as one of the most significant areas of early learning and development.

The St Andrew’s College Pre-school provides a nurturing physical and emotional environment, in which the children are encouraged to develop a broad set of skills in social competency, including the ability to form close, secure relationships, engage in positive interactions with others, problem-solve, be persistent, develop strategies for conflict resolution, understand, express, and regulate their emotions, and develop an understanding of positive behaviours for learning.