YMCA
Early
Learning
Centre

at the YMCA Bishopdale Recreation Centre

COVID 19 Update
New Zealand has now moved into COVID-19 Alert Level 2 – Reduce. Under Alert Level 2 it is safe for Early Learning Centres to open for all children, with appropriate public health measures in place.

Children and staff who are at greater risk are encouraged to stay at home. Any child or staff member who is sick should remain at home.

See below the safety operating procedures we will have in place for reopening under Alert Level 2:

Operating Procedures under COVID-19 Level 2

Join our Centre

Our children, parents and whanau come first and we strive to provide a welcoming, supportive and loving environment for all. We offer high teacher to child ratios with a fun, experienced and passionate team of early childhood teachers.

Our Nursery is licensed for 10 children under two years old, and our Preschool for up to 30 children. Our children are empowered to take risks, explore and develop their sense of belonging while making use of our spacious indoor and outdoor facilities.

To find out how you can join our YMCA family, contact us today and arrange a time to visit, or pop in if you are out and about.

We look forward to meeting you and your family and contributing to the magical memories that help shape your child into the superstar they are destined to become!

Opening Hours

Monday to Friday

7:30am – 5:30pm

Our Philosophy

We strive to work in collaborative relationships and partnership with whānau, sharing in the co-construction of an empowered community where we nurture a sense of security and ensure a child centred curriculum in a setting where tamariki come first. Our kaiako take pride in their professional role, responsibilities and commitment to the early childhood education sector.

We act with love, care and kindness as a foundation to our place (manaakitanga). We promote fun, spontaneous laughter and joy for ourselves and others. We acknowledge that we are all learners (kaiako, whānau and tamariki) and we aim to support one another in our journey. Respect for diversity and celebration of uniqueness and culture is a feature of our approach as we nurture every child to know that they are competent and capable. In order to support mana, identity and confidence kaiako are consistent, present in their interactions and relationships, enabling a sense of belonging and rich communication, conversations and collaboration in learning.

We believe in the value of a homelike environment for learning and we view the environment (places and things) as a partner in teaching and learning. We consider our play space as a platform for holistic and active learning therefore we plan for and provide a natural, responsive and creative setting. We keep tamariki safe while embracing elements of risk and challenge. We demonstrate our commitment to environmental sustainability and kaitiakitanga (guardianship) within our curriculum and in our daily practices.

The uniqueness of the child and all that they bring with them is at the heart of our curriculum design. We follow interests, engage in meaningful, real life experiences and relish the snowball effect of questioning and investigating at an unhurried and natural pace. We scaffold learning, pay attention to ensure tamariki are not only learning, but they are learning about how they learn and we celebrate our successes.

We know that when we facilitate learning and provide time and space for supported independence, tamariki develop an intrinsic sense of themselves as capable and confident learners. When we listen and are responsive to tamariki, they learn that they are important, they grow in confidence. Showing understanding and care nurtures emotional intelligence and empathy, being consistent, predictable and patient nurtures self regulation. This is how we support the wellbeing and and wairua of our tamariki and grow healthy, happy, capable and confident tamariki.

April 2019

Our Team

Janene Prendergast
Manager
I have been working in early childhood since 2002, graduating from the University of Canterbury with a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood) in 2007. Since then I have held both team leader in the nursery, over two classes and Centre Manager roles.
I hold a sound, up-to-date knowledge of how children learn and develop. I trust and empower our teaching team to continually work together to develop meaningful partnerships with each other and you, our parents and whānau. I am committed to providing quality care and education in a fun and stimulating environment which promotes continuous improvement for children to succeed in a forever changing world.

Aram Ko
Teacher
I am originally from Korea and decided to study in New Zealand back in 2010. Now New Zealand is my second home and I feel privileged to be in this beautiful city, Christchurch. I am a qualified and provisionally registered early childhood teacher. Luckily I have had many opportunities to work with children and it seemed like a natural progression for me to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education.
I am inspired by RIE Approach philosophy and I value each child as an individual. I am passionate about children’s development and I will support them to build foundations to be lifelong learners so that they are able to make contributions to make society a better place. It is very rewarding to watch them grow into beautiful little people and achieving great things along the way. I love the fact that I can be a part of this learning journey to help them discover who they are.

Amanda Calvert
Teacher
I started teaching because I wanted to make a difference in children’s lives. I am very passionate about what I do and believe that a child’s first five years are so incredibly important – not only for brain development but also social skills and emotional resilience. I am a big advocate for free play as I think this is where children do so much of their learning.
I also really enjoy the Intentional Teaching Strategy as it means that children are discovering more about what they are interested in. It is very rewarding when you are able to extend a child’s knowledge on a topic they are excited about!

Rachel Bowker
Teacher
Kia ora, I have been working in the education sector since 1997. I am a registered primary school teacher and have been working in kindergarten and community preschools for the last few years. I believe children learn through play and I enjoy providing opportunities for children to learn, play, discover, create and imagine.
I have three boys who are year 11, year 10 and year 8. I was a play centre, preschool and kindergarten mum. We moved to Cambridge after the earthquakes and then to Golden Bay. In April 2019 we moved back to Christchurch for secondary school opportunities for the boys.

Annie Zhong
Teacher
In 2006 I immigrated to Christchurch from Guangzhou, China. I have a NZ graduate diploma in teaching and learning in both primary and early childhood education, and I also have over 9 years of experience working with children under 3 years. I’m passionate about working with young children and regard it as a dream job! I value family cultures and values, and I see working in partnership with parents and whanau as vital to children’s learning and development. I believe that children learn by actively engaging in the learning environment and through responsive and reciprocal relationships and interactions. Therefore I endeavor to provide a welcoming, respectful, inviting and stimulating environment for our children to explore at their own pace. I live with my husband Jonny, and in my spare time I like playing badminton, walking, exploring new technology, and learning new concepts, ideas and languages.