Our Bishopdale Philosophy
To Whakaaro o Mātou ki a Bishopdale
Calmness - (Mauri Ora)
We believe that children flourish when provided with a calm, unhurried, respectful and nurturing environment.
Teachers will support children throughout their daily rhythm by respectfully responding to their cues and meeting their individual needs.
Children will have the time to make their own discoveries in an environment tailored to meet their unique needs, strengths and interests.
Little Blue Penguin values holistic development and places importance on a nurtured well-being in order for meaningful learning to take place.
Closeness (Whanaungatanga)
We believe in the importance of relationships for optimal learning and development.
Teachers will support relationships between people, the environment and the community and will provide primary caregiving for our infants.
Children will experience quality, respectful and responsive interactions as these are of utmost importance for all children, their whānau and teachers within our learning community.
Little Blue Penguin values working together to provide children and their whānau with a secure sense of belonging and understanding.
Consistency (Mahi Tahi):
We believe that in order to feel safe and secure children need to have consistency, familiarity and predictability in regards to: the people in their lives; their environment; their daily rhythm; their interactions, and; the responsive ways in which their needs are met.
Teachers will ensure fluency between home and preschool, and this is supported by the calmness and closeness established through communication and relationships.
Children will have their own key teacher for warmth, understanding, and care; however higher ratios will mean that children form a special relationship with each of their teachers.
Little Blue Penguin values a home-like approach and will mirror children’s usual routines and reflect their home environment and culture within our learning space.
Curiosity (Whakapapa)
We believe that children are natural learners. Their curiosity to explore, experiment and discover means that they are actively learning and developing through their everyday play.
Teachers will allow children’s natural wonderment and awe to unfold as they become curious about their thoughtfully designed environment, the people, the resources, and the natural world around them.
Children will have their curiosity extended through a play and project-based learning approach, meaningful excursions and utilising the knowledge of our wider community.
Little Blue Penguin values having a passionate teaching team who will support children to discover their own unique strengths and interests in order to promote a natural love of learning.
Confidence (Mana)
We believe in empowering children and building them up as capable and confident creators, learners and contributors.
Teachers will provide a bicultural approach to curriculum design where tiriti-based practice is honoured and embedded within our daily programme.
Children will be trusted, supported, respected, and their ideas valued at all times. Children’s independence, social competence and leadership skills will be promoted through the nature of our mixed-age environment.
Little Blue Penguin values a supportive community of learners, where everyone has opportunities to learn, develop and progress together.