|
Testimonials from current and past members
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. |
|
