ABOUT US
We are a non-profit, community-based Preschool, situated in the Bishopdale area. Our centre has been operating for many years providing quality care and education for the children of our local community. We have a license for 40 children, 8 in the Nursery with a ratio of 1 adult to 4 children and 32 in the Preschool with a ratio of 1 adult to 8 children. Ninety percent of teachers are fully qualified. Each child has a Personal Profile Book in which their achievements and progress from their first day are recorded.
At Cotswold Preschool and Nursery we have a self-choice programme and base our planning around children’s interests. Therefore learning & development is not based around subject areas but around the dispositions for learning. These help children develop courage, curiosity, playfulness, trust, perseverance and confidence. Our curriculum encourages children to become robust and enduring thus equipping children for future learning.
Our centre is run by a parent committee which is elected each year at our AGM. All parents are welcome to join and become involved in the continued growth and development of our centre.
At Cotswold Preschool and Nursery we have a self-choice programme and base our planning around children’s interests. Therefore learning & development is not based around subject areas but around the dispositions for learning. These help children develop courage, curiosity, playfulness, trust, perseverance and confidence. Our curriculum encourages children to become robust and enduring thus equipping children for future learning.
Our centre is run by a parent committee which is elected each year at our AGM. All parents are welcome to join and become involved in the continued growth and development of our centre.
Our Team
Della Dunnill
Centre Manager (Diploma of Teaching 1998). When I’m not at work you will find me out in my garden, walking my dog or away fishing with my fishing mad husband. I grew up in sunny Motueka so go back whenever I can.
Vicki McBratney
(Diploma of Teaching NZ & NNEB Diploma UK 1992). I am married to Andy and have 3 children. I am from England but have lived in NZ since 1999. I enjoy baking and various crafts.
Joy Weusten
(Diploma of Teaching 2002). When I’m not at work you will find me pottering in my garden, walking my dog, or at the beach. I am married 2 daughters and a granddaughter and love spending time with them.
Geethi Roy
(Graduate Diploma of Teaching and Learning 2005). I am married and have a son (who came to preschool). I love music and play all key board instruments. I teach music in my spare time. I am from Sri Lanka and moved to NZ in 2001.
Charlotte Schultz
(part time Nursery teacher & Reliever). I am married to Dean and have 3 children (two attended preschool). I love music, singing and have a certificate in performing arts. I started working here in 2016.
Rong Qi
Rong Qi (Lunch Cover & Reliever). Kia Ora, I am from China and have been in NZ for 13 years. I am married to Ming and have a son who attended this preschool. I love music, cooking and doing all sorts of family activities. It is my pleasure to work here.
Lisa Barron
(Bachelor of Teaching ECE 2009). Kia ora, I work at the preschool Mon-Fri. I am new and looking forward to getting to know you & your tamariki. I have two children and enjoy teenage family time at home.
Georgia Holt
(On maternity leave)
(On maternity leave)
Nursery Kaiako (Bachelor of Teaching ECE 2021), Kia ora I began my teaching journey at the beginning of 2017. am originally from the north Island and am renovating my first home with my partner.
Alex McCone
Nursery Kaiako (Graduate Diploma of Teaching ECE 2018) Kia ora I am thrilled to be working in the nursery role again. In my spare time I love to walk, do sketching and spend time with my partner, cat and unruly chickens.
Jessica Flint
Office administrator, Kia ora I am heavily involved in the Cook Island culture & community my partner and daughter are both Cook Island and we are part of a performing arts group. I enjoy baking, gardening and fishing. Pop into the office and say “Hi” or give me a wave.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Our view of the child is as a competent and confident learner, healthy in mind, body and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging and in the knowledge they make a valued contribution to society.
We aspire to provide a responsive curriculum using the framework within Te Whariki to guide kaiako practice. Partnership with whanau and the local community is interwoven into the programme and viewed as valued opportunities for whanau to share in preschool life.
The learning environment is designed to use play based contexts where tamariki are encouraged and supported to take responsibility for their own learning and at their own pace. In addition they are supported to make their own choices and empowered to engage in tuakana teina relationships where they can help and teach each other.
Individual differences are celebrated as we nurture each tamariki’s strengths and abilities.
Kaiako work alongside tamariki to build social competence skills and resilience through a growing sense of self-awareness, self-motivation and self-regulation to support independence.
The curriculum provides tamariki with a rich library of resources that enables them to explore creativity and encourages wonder and discovery. A natural world is valued along with promoting sustainability. Our extensive outdoor area allows for freedom of play surrounded in nature where tamariki can develop courage, curiosity and imagination.
Healthy bodies feed healthy minds and a perceptual motor programme is an important aspect of our curriculum and teaching practices to support brain development. Early literacy and numeracy are integrated into all domain areas to ensure a seamless transition to school.
The centre is committed to upholding Te Tiriti O Waitangi and supporting a culture of biculturalism actively and visibly within our preschool. We practice a culture of kindness and respect that values our cultural diversity as we strive to maintain an atmosphere where tamariki will thrive, full of peace, co-operation, support and aroha.
PERCEPTUAL MOTOR PROGRAMME
We at Cotswold Preschool and Nursery believe it is important to encourage children to use both the left and right sided of their brain. We incorporate the principles of a Perceptual Motor Programme into our daily experiences. Including the 4 station of PMP of hand eye co-ordination, balance, memory and eye tracking will involve experiences such as balance beams and boards, memory games, songs and dances that cross the mid line, eye tracking that could involve individual or a group of children.
We will often take some of the 4 year old children to focus on a small set of experiences that we set up in our hall to help extend on what we are doing on our normal programme.
We will often take some of the 4 year old children to focus on a small set of experiences that we set up in our hall to help extend on what we are doing on our normal programme.
OUR FACILITIES
We have a large open plan indoor learning environment where we provide a rich core curriculum for the children to experience. We have a large natural outdoor area where we encourage the children to learn through and with nature. Our small nursery is separate but open to the preschool to provide a safe environment but a smooth transition into the preschool.
- Bright and open indoor area
- Large attached separate hall space used for group times and our perceptual motor programme
- Large natural outdoor area with fully fenced field attached
- Fully resourced in all areas
- Secure off street parking
- Open school holiday (only close for 3 weeks at Christmas)
We have always taken hygiene and health and safety seriously at Cotswold preschool and nursery.
In light of COVID-19 we are now using Zoono sanitising products and doing routine checks.
