Testimonials
Michelle & Rod Brittain 2020
It is with sincere gratitude that we leave Preschool today and I have to say we're a bit sad about it!
When I think about the huge difference you have all made to our Niko and our family unit, it really is incredible and so worthy of taking this time to reflect and count our blessings. We were a bit shy moving but very quickly settled in with your warm welcomes and we quickly wished we had moved him sooner. Nevertheless we were lucky to have these precious 9 months at all, as with anything good - time flies when you're having fun.
I have just reflected back on his starting notes and it was our wish that Niko make a best friend at Preschool. Well, he didn't make one, he made a solid handful. I'm sure these friends will be with him for life - what a gift.
You turned a boy shy of speaking in public into a front of stage king. We were flabbergasted to see our new showman son boldly singing to an audience and loving it. Leslie thank you thank you thank you - words can't describe how proud were that day and this striking memory will be with us forever. He is confident because of you.
Davina, you have coached him from day one, carefully weeding out the habits he needed to leave behind and moulding him into such a wee MAN. Its just blows us away what you have drawn out of him. Our proudest memory of your feedback was when you said: "He doesn't know he is a leader". Oh my!
Debbie, you're beautiful caring nature has nurtured Niko and taught him to show love to others. Considering that our man on the move barely stops for cuddles I have been so pleased to see him happy in your arms or on your knee. You have considered and respected all of our needs and nothing was ever too hard. It was such a pleasure, such a special time at Okareka Preschool. I don't think we will ever come across something as fine as your place again. Its as good as it gets.
It with the warmest wishes for the future that we leave you to nurture and develop more beautiful kiddies - we can't be too greedy. We have definitely had our fair share.
Aroha Nui,
Michelle, Rod and Niko XXX
Lyndell & Jared Christoffersen 2018
Our daughter had such a fantastic time at Lake Okareka Preschool. Over the two years she attended Lake Okareka Preschool she blossomed into a confident compassionate girl ready for school. Debbie, Leslie and Davina are such warm and caring teachers that really take the time to encourage each child's strengths and help them in areas they struggle with. The preschool has such a lovely warm friendly family-oriented atmosphere that is created by the teachers and the lovely families and children that attend the preschool.
We really loved all the little things that are part of the preschool culture that promote kindness, confidence and independence such as the way the children greet each other at mat time, how each child regularly gets to be the teachers Helper for the day which involves speaking in front of the whole group, to the shared fruit session at the end of each day and the end of year Christmas Nativity play.
We will miss coming to preschool and look forward to bringing our son in a couple of years’ time.
Bronwyn Duncan 2018
"Thank you, Okareka Preschool, for all the lovely memories!
George spent a wonderful year last year at Okareka Preschool. He was new to the school in February 2017 but fitted in so easily for his final year at preschool. The three enthusiastic, warm and caring teachers love what they do. The large learning and play area is well equipped with plenty of space for hands on fun. The teachers provided plenty of varied activities and excursions throughout the year to aid in learning. But what I liked most as a parent was seeing the values of sharing and kindness emphasised throughout the preschool daily.
Julie and Eben Herbert, 2018
To Debbie Leslie and Davina,
Thank you for taking such excellent care of Jasper over the last few years and helping to shape him into the kind and respectful person he’s growing to be. I know he’s going to miss you all but hope he has lots of good memories, which I’m sure he has, and we’ll be sure to come to events you put on to catch up. I remember Leslie saying “I’ve got the best job in the whole world’ to me before Jasper started there, and it really does show, you are all fantastic and make Lake Okareka Preschool the amazing place it is. We will all miss you and look forward to bringing Quinn in a few years’ time.
Julie, Eben, Jasper and Quinn xxxx
Mariska van den Haak. February 2018
We cannot speak highly enough of the Lake Okareka Preschool and the warm, dedicated and welcoming teaching team. There is a real community feel and our son has flourished while there. A small group of students means your child gets the attention they deserve. We could not have asked for better schooling for our son. Thank you, Debbie, Leslie and Davina.
Ian and Mel Loveless - August 2015
A huge thank you to the lovely teachers at Lake Okareka Preschool.
Their attention to detail in every aspect ensures that all the children are respected and treated as individuals whilst the small environment and community feel brings all the children together to play and learn as a team.
I've enjoyed coming along as 'parent help' and have noticed how highly observant of each child's strengths and weakness the teachers are and how they really work hard to nurture these. Each experience that arises during the day is used as a learning experience from empathy and respect to encouraging the children to make their own learning goals on areas of interest.
A regular routine including mat-time, play-time and food breaks really prepares them well for transition to school and I'm sure this familiarity of structure has made Sophie's transition easier. The confidence she has gained being amongst caring role models and fantastic life-long little buddies is absolutely noticeable.
Keep up the fantastic work!
Dr Toni Withers – March 2012
Both my children were lucky enough to attend the Lake Okareka Preschool for those two very important years prior to starting primary school.
My elder child had a little difficulty settling into the routines and the teaching team responded with compassion and firmness. It was only a few weeks before he was fully complying with their requests to undertake the same activities as the other children.
The teaching team are extremely skilled at adapting to the individual needs of the children attending. I was constantly astounded at how it seemed to be second nature to them how best to respond to various social interactions that would have challenged my own best efforts!
The profile books that are kept for each child are a treasured work of art and include teacher feedback and descriptions that fully capture the growth, progression and highlights of each child during attendance at the centre. There is a distinctive culture surrounding the special day of "graduating" to school. This becomes a memorable and remarkable date that all families and departing children will hold dear for years to come.
I still desperately miss my visits to the preschool and how I wish that our primary schools could try to emulate even some of the behaviours and values that are taught and modelled at Lake Okareka Preschool.
I cannot recommend this centre highly enough to other parents of young children.
Rachel Rachmani – November 2011
I can not speak highly enough of Lake Okareka Preschool, my children blossomed in the warm, welcoming environment.
The teachers are passionate, enthusiastic and experienced and the small ratio allows the teachers to get to know the children intimately and nuture their strengths whilst building on their weaknesses. I know the teachers at Lake Okareka Preschool put a lot of thought into how best to prepare the children for the transition into school. This has led to a programme where literacy skills critical to reading are immersed into the daily plan, routines are developed, making healthy food choices are encouraged and independent learning and exploration is a part of each day. I look forward to my youngest starting next year and to rejoining the Lake Okareka Preschool community.
Anne Lightfoot – October 2011
Dearest Debbie, Lesley and Davina. I can't express to you how much we have appreciated the experience you have given Chloe over this past year.
She has blossomed since spending her time at Lake Okareka Preschool. You ladies are fantastic teachers for all the kids and create such a magical, creative, supportive and fun environment for the kids, and they (well Chloe has) learnt a whole lot of good stuff!
We are all really going to miss LOPS for so many reasons. Thank you so much.
It is with sincere gratitude that we leave Preschool today and I have to say we're a bit sad about it!
When I think about the huge difference you have all made to our Niko and our family unit, it really is incredible and so worthy of taking this time to reflect and count our blessings. We were a bit shy moving but very quickly settled in with your warm welcomes and we quickly wished we had moved him sooner. Nevertheless we were lucky to have these precious 9 months at all, as with anything good - time flies when you're having fun.
I have just reflected back on his starting notes and it was our wish that Niko make a best friend at Preschool. Well, he didn't make one, he made a solid handful. I'm sure these friends will be with him for life - what a gift.
You turned a boy shy of speaking in public into a front of stage king. We were flabbergasted to see our new showman son boldly singing to an audience and loving it. Leslie thank you thank you thank you - words can't describe how proud were that day and this striking memory will be with us forever. He is confident because of you.
Davina, you have coached him from day one, carefully weeding out the habits he needed to leave behind and moulding him into such a wee MAN. Its just blows us away what you have drawn out of him. Our proudest memory of your feedback was when you said: "He doesn't know he is a leader". Oh my!
Debbie, you're beautiful caring nature has nurtured Niko and taught him to show love to others. Considering that our man on the move barely stops for cuddles I have been so pleased to see him happy in your arms or on your knee. You have considered and respected all of our needs and nothing was ever too hard. It was such a pleasure, such a special time at Okareka Preschool. I don't think we will ever come across something as fine as your place again. Its as good as it gets.
It with the warmest wishes for the future that we leave you to nurture and develop more beautiful kiddies - we can't be too greedy. We have definitely had our fair share.
Aroha Nui,
Michelle, Rod and Niko XXX
Lyndell & Jared Christoffersen 2018
Our daughter had such a fantastic time at Lake Okareka Preschool. Over the two years she attended Lake Okareka Preschool she blossomed into a confident compassionate girl ready for school. Debbie, Leslie and Davina are such warm and caring teachers that really take the time to encourage each child's strengths and help them in areas they struggle with. The preschool has such a lovely warm friendly family-oriented atmosphere that is created by the teachers and the lovely families and children that attend the preschool.
We really loved all the little things that are part of the preschool culture that promote kindness, confidence and independence such as the way the children greet each other at mat time, how each child regularly gets to be the teachers Helper for the day which involves speaking in front of the whole group, to the shared fruit session at the end of each day and the end of year Christmas Nativity play.
We will miss coming to preschool and look forward to bringing our son in a couple of years’ time.
Bronwyn Duncan 2018
"Thank you, Okareka Preschool, for all the lovely memories!
George spent a wonderful year last year at Okareka Preschool. He was new to the school in February 2017 but fitted in so easily for his final year at preschool. The three enthusiastic, warm and caring teachers love what they do. The large learning and play area is well equipped with plenty of space for hands on fun. The teachers provided plenty of varied activities and excursions throughout the year to aid in learning. But what I liked most as a parent was seeing the values of sharing and kindness emphasised throughout the preschool daily.
Julie and Eben Herbert, 2018
To Debbie Leslie and Davina,
Thank you for taking such excellent care of Jasper over the last few years and helping to shape him into the kind and respectful person he’s growing to be. I know he’s going to miss you all but hope he has lots of good memories, which I’m sure he has, and we’ll be sure to come to events you put on to catch up. I remember Leslie saying “I’ve got the best job in the whole world’ to me before Jasper started there, and it really does show, you are all fantastic and make Lake Okareka Preschool the amazing place it is. We will all miss you and look forward to bringing Quinn in a few years’ time.
Julie, Eben, Jasper and Quinn xxxx
Mariska van den Haak. February 2018
We cannot speak highly enough of the Lake Okareka Preschool and the warm, dedicated and welcoming teaching team. There is a real community feel and our son has flourished while there. A small group of students means your child gets the attention they deserve. We could not have asked for better schooling for our son. Thank you, Debbie, Leslie and Davina.
Ian and Mel Loveless - August 2015
A huge thank you to the lovely teachers at Lake Okareka Preschool.
Their attention to detail in every aspect ensures that all the children are respected and treated as individuals whilst the small environment and community feel brings all the children together to play and learn as a team.
I've enjoyed coming along as 'parent help' and have noticed how highly observant of each child's strengths and weakness the teachers are and how they really work hard to nurture these. Each experience that arises during the day is used as a learning experience from empathy and respect to encouraging the children to make their own learning goals on areas of interest.
A regular routine including mat-time, play-time and food breaks really prepares them well for transition to school and I'm sure this familiarity of structure has made Sophie's transition easier. The confidence she has gained being amongst caring role models and fantastic life-long little buddies is absolutely noticeable.
Keep up the fantastic work!
Dr Toni Withers – March 2012
Both my children were lucky enough to attend the Lake Okareka Preschool for those two very important years prior to starting primary school.
My elder child had a little difficulty settling into the routines and the teaching team responded with compassion and firmness. It was only a few weeks before he was fully complying with their requests to undertake the same activities as the other children.
The teaching team are extremely skilled at adapting to the individual needs of the children attending. I was constantly astounded at how it seemed to be second nature to them how best to respond to various social interactions that would have challenged my own best efforts!
The profile books that are kept for each child are a treasured work of art and include teacher feedback and descriptions that fully capture the growth, progression and highlights of each child during attendance at the centre. There is a distinctive culture surrounding the special day of "graduating" to school. This becomes a memorable and remarkable date that all families and departing children will hold dear for years to come.
I still desperately miss my visits to the preschool and how I wish that our primary schools could try to emulate even some of the behaviours and values that are taught and modelled at Lake Okareka Preschool.
I cannot recommend this centre highly enough to other parents of young children.
Rachel Rachmani – November 2011
I can not speak highly enough of Lake Okareka Preschool, my children blossomed in the warm, welcoming environment.
The teachers are passionate, enthusiastic and experienced and the small ratio allows the teachers to get to know the children intimately and nuture their strengths whilst building on their weaknesses. I know the teachers at Lake Okareka Preschool put a lot of thought into how best to prepare the children for the transition into school. This has led to a programme where literacy skills critical to reading are immersed into the daily plan, routines are developed, making healthy food choices are encouraged and independent learning and exploration is a part of each day. I look forward to my youngest starting next year and to rejoining the Lake Okareka Preschool community.
Anne Lightfoot – October 2011
Dearest Debbie, Lesley and Davina. I can't express to you how much we have appreciated the experience you have given Chloe over this past year.
She has blossomed since spending her time at Lake Okareka Preschool. You ladies are fantastic teachers for all the kids and create such a magical, creative, supportive and fun environment for the kids, and they (well Chloe has) learnt a whole lot of good stuff!
We are all really going to miss LOPS for so many reasons. Thank you so much.
