Our Approach
We believe that the well-being of a community stems from the children within it.
To be able to nurture our children in the community-orientated setting Lake Ōkāreka Preschool provides is truly special. Out here, children have endless ways and opportunities to express themselves and are able to learn through experimentation. Children feel empowered to reach their potential as considerate, capable and competent life-long-learners in our unique environment.
As fully qualifed and registered teachers, we talk to the children about their interests and are trained to spot group and individual strengths. We weave what we’ve observed and heard into our daily programme so that the children have control over their learning. This is possible because we have a small group.
We love having parents, whānau and people of the community involved with the preschool on a daily basis. With their support, we incorporate aspects of their diverse cultural heritage into our programme. Our children love learning new languages, dressing up and trying new foods! We embrace Tikanga and Te Reo Maori and integrate these into everything we do.
Being polite and kind is something we work on every day. It’s warming to see the caring, nurturing and kindness the children have for each other and we can see that these values will go with them into their adult years.
Our children know all about looking after our planet and we think they will go on to make a difference in our world as they grow up. With an aim to be a zero waste centre, we care deeply for our environment and make sustainable practices a priority. We are blessed to be able to nurture our children in the environment we have out here and we will do our bit to protect it.
Our unique approach is underpinned by the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum Te Whāriki. To experience it for yourself please feel free to visit, observe and spend time with the children.
To be able to nurture our children in the community-orientated setting Lake Ōkāreka Preschool provides is truly special. Out here, children have endless ways and opportunities to express themselves and are able to learn through experimentation. Children feel empowered to reach their potential as considerate, capable and competent life-long-learners in our unique environment.
As fully qualifed and registered teachers, we talk to the children about their interests and are trained to spot group and individual strengths. We weave what we’ve observed and heard into our daily programme so that the children have control over their learning. This is possible because we have a small group.
We love having parents, whānau and people of the community involved with the preschool on a daily basis. With their support, we incorporate aspects of their diverse cultural heritage into our programme. Our children love learning new languages, dressing up and trying new foods! We embrace Tikanga and Te Reo Maori and integrate these into everything we do.
Being polite and kind is something we work on every day. It’s warming to see the caring, nurturing and kindness the children have for each other and we can see that these values will go with them into their adult years.
Our children know all about looking after our planet and we think they will go on to make a difference in our world as they grow up. With an aim to be a zero waste centre, we care deeply for our environment and make sustainable practices a priority. We are blessed to be able to nurture our children in the environment we have out here and we will do our bit to protect it.
Our unique approach is underpinned by the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum Te Whāriki. To experience it for yourself please feel free to visit, observe and spend time with the children.
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Simon and Karlissa Bell
It has been an absolute privilege to be part of Lake Ōkāreka Preschool, our three daughters flourished in this incredible learning environment.
We were lucky enough to spend 8 amazing years being a part of the Preschool whānau. From the very beginning, the teachers embraced a holistic approach to learning, nurturing not only academic growth but also fostering emotional, social, physical, and cultural development.
As past board members (chairperson, secretary, and board member), we have had the privilege of actively contributing to the Preschool’s vision and growth. We have also seen firsthand the unwavering dedication, passion, commitment, and leadership that the teachers bring to the Preschool.
Lake Ōkāreka Preschool has truly felt like an extension of our whānau. We are incredibly grateful for the positive impact Preschool has had on our daughters’ development, helping them grow and succeed. Our girls are now all thriving at school and all the credit needs to go to the wonderful teachers. We will always cherish our time at Lake Ōkāreka Preschool, a journey that has left a lasting impact and given our daughters the very best start in life.
We wholeheartedly recommend Lake Ōkāreka Preschool.
“A great teacher takes a hand, opens a mind, and touches a heart”. Thank you for being those teachers.