Douglas Street

Phone - 07 308 5222

At Little Orchard Preschool – Douglas Street, we have 6 classrooms that offer high quality childcare and education for children aged 0-6. We are also open from 7.30am until 5.30pm each week day excluding stat days.

Detailed below is an overview of our classrooms within the Centre along with our team. The age groups noted for each classroom is indicative only as it depends not only on the age of the child but also the stages of development of each individual child.

The Pounamu Room

The Pounamu Room is for children aged 0-1 years of age and provides a warm, welcoming and friendly home like environment for your child to grow and develop.  We plan our environment and programme according to each child's individual needs and abilities.

Jamie - Room Leader Registered Teacher		Rachel Registered Teacher		Jordan Teacher in Training		Tamara - Non Contact Cover Registered Teacher

The Kea Room

The Kea Room caters for 1-2 year old children. The Kea Room philosophy is based on nurturing and respecting each individual child and their individual needs and abilities. The Kea Room provides a wide range of activities to encourage exploration, self help skills and supports emerging communication.

Jamie - Room Leader Registered Teacher		Mitch Registered Teacher		Amber D Registered Teacher		Vanessa Teacher
Tamara Registered Teacher

The Kowhai Room

The Kowhai Room caters for children aged around 20 months - 3 ½ years of age. The focus in the Kowhai Room is to extend on children's understanding of their bodies and to encourage "self-help" skills and independence. The programme also aims to help children develop respect for our natural environment and each other. The children in this classroom share their time between the Patiki Room and the Kowhai Room, so each child shares the best learning opportunities between each philosophy.

Gillian - Room Leader Registered Teacher		Karen Registered Teacher		Lori Teacher		Tamara - Non Contact Cover Registered Teacher

The Patiki Room

The Patiki Room caters for the 20 months to 3 ½ year old children.   The room has a home like environment and low roll numbers, with a Montessori philosophy. Each child is given the opportunity to learn at their own pace, while being supported and extended in a genuine and loving way. Partnership with whanau is an integral part of programme planning and communication is open and caring.  The children in this classroom share their time between the Patiki Room and the Kowhai Room, so each child shares the best learning opportunities between each philosophy.

Carol - Room Leader Registered Teacher		Jazz Registered Teacher		Angelique Teacher in Training		Tamara - Non Contact Cover Registered Teacher

The Pohutukawa Room

The Pohutukawa Room caters for children aged 3 ½ years to 6 years of age.  The classroom philosophy is that children learn through play, both real life and imagination based. Each child is offered a wide range of learning opportunities to stimulate and extend their learning, while recognising their own strengths and interests.  The children in this classroom share their time between the Pohutukawa Room and the Tui Room, so each child enjoys the benefits of two learning philosophies.

Allie - Room Leader Registered Teacher		Sangeeta Registered Teacher		Mere Registered Teacher		Melissa W Registered Teacher
Tamara - Non Contact Cover Registered Teacher

The Tui Room

The Tui Room caters for children aged 3 ½ years to 6 years of age.   In the Tui Room our philosophy is Montessori based with a focus on freedom of choice and fostering a love of learning. Children learn respect for themselves, others and their environment in a classroom that provides indoor/outdoor flow and encourages individuality and positive communication.  The children in this classroom share their time between the Pohutukawa Room and the Tui Room, so each child enjoys the benefits of two learning philosophies.

Kerry - Room Leader Registered Teacher		Susanne Registered Teacher		Natelle Registered Teacher		Ashleigh Teacher in Training
Tamara - Non Contact Cover Registered Teacher

The Office Hub

Our Centre Leader oversees the day to day operation of the Centre, sharing her time in the classrooms and also in the office.    Our Centre Leader is available to discuss the learning opportunities in the Centre along with our two Administrators who are available to assist with any queries our whanāu may have.

Harriet - Centre Leader Registered Teacher		Kathleen Office Administrator		Mo Funding Administrator		Suzy Kitchen Hostess