East Taieri Preschool is located in East Taieri, Mosgiel, Dunedin and is licensed for 35 children for tamariki aged from two to six years old. The preschool is opened from 8am to 3pm daily. Their community reaches up into the Middlemarch Hills, stretches out across the Taieri Plains and creeps in toward the city of Dunedin. The preschool opened in 1976. What is special about your centre? We are a community-based preschool with rich connections to our wider community. We value learning that happens intentionally and spontaneously. Our children are encouraged to connect with resources both manmade and natural and value the rich resource which our natural world provides. We run an outdoor bush curriculum weekly for our 4-year-old children, who regardless of the weather have the powerful opportunity to extend and develop their skills, knowledge, and mana within the many experiences which the natural bush provides. It enhances their independence, selfhelp skills, imagination, leadership, and free thinking. Our practice and philosophy is guided by the key values of: Whanaungatanga, Rangatiratanga, Wairuatanga, Kaitiakitanga, Manaakitanga, Kotahitanga and Tohungatanga. Respectful and reciprocal relationships allow kaiako, tamariki and whānau to connect people, places and things. We share experiences and learning together through the concept of Ako each valuing the part each other plays in our learning community. What is the biggest challenge facing ECE centres now? An even playing field – regardless of your setting. Professional and dedicated teachers are the best resource within education in the early years. Without great teachers who feel valued and respected for the important job they do, even the newest, biggest, best resourced centres miss the important heartbeat a motivated, caring, professional teacher brings to every ECE setting. What’s the best part about leading a centre? Being part of the connection between tamariki, kaiako, whānau and our wider community who together support, encourage, and empower tamariki to believe in themselves as valuable people, able to contribute to their wider world. What makes a successful quality ECE centre? Dedicated, professional teachers who put the learning and development of children at the heart of every day. What do you most love most about your job? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata – tis the people, the people, the people. Centre Profile: East Taieri Preschool December 2021 { 16 }
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