Rising Stars Preschool Ashburton

AN INVITATION. A PROVOCATION

Kaiako provide a well-planned environment with invitations and provocations, and use the environment as a ‘third teacher’. This concept is part of the Reggio Emilia Approach.

PUZZLES At the puzzle table we see 2 butterfly puzzles. One is a k**b puzzle with 7 pieces for the younger preschool child while the other puzzle is a harder puzzle for an older preschool child or a child who has mastered the easier puzzle. Books on the same topic provides additional knowledge should the child want to read about butterflies.

In the puzzle shelf, the shelf under the books are the easier puzzles. K**b puzzles with 4-6 pieces. These are for the younger preschool child. As you go down to the next shelf the puzzles are gradually increasing complexity as the childs skills develop.

Maria Montessori also reminds us:
"Education is not something the teacher does, but a natural process carried out by the human individual. The task of education is not to pour in, but to bring out what is already within."

Therefore we do not just create materials— we design environments that "bring out what is within,"
allowing every child to move toward wholeness at their own pace.

Whether an invitation or a provocation kaiako carefully design learning opportunities that draw children in and engage them with the materials and ideas. A learning provocation or an invitation is thoughtfully curated and beautifully presented. It is an invitation for children to explore, investigate, learn, represent, and create.

Provocation vs Invitation: What is the Difference?
An invitation is something that encourages children to explore a concept. A provocation is something that provokes action and stimulates thinking.

Both are used in our centre to evoke curiosity and encourage enjoyment and play. Every

12 January 2026
Rising Stars Preschool opens on Monday at 7:45am 🌟

We are so excited to welcome back our tamariki and whānau! Over the break our walls and doors have had a fresh new look, new resources have been added for our busy learners, and our kaiako are refreshed, recharged, and ready to welcome you all back with open arms. 💛
We can’t wait to see you all — kia ora and welcome back! ✨

The team from Rising Stars Preschool wish all of our members and our families Merry Christmas and have a fantastic Christmas holiday break. Thank you to all our families for your support in 2025. 2026 promises to be full of exciting learning experience and tender care.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR xx

We are very proud of all our Preschool tamariki and whānau who have put together a wonderful collaborative art piece that will be on display at the A&P Show. Ka whakahirahira tō mahi!!!

Rising Stars Preschool Ashburton is OPEN - at this stage. It is a hard call. I wish Ministry of Education would make the call. We have power and still able to provide a safe environment. Should this change then we will close.

We gave families the choice and our kaiako that have had to travel to Ashburton. Remaining open is not a financial decision as open or closed the service still gets funding.

It’s about being a family service and supporting our families that attend our service.

Maria and Rob and all your childrens wonderful teachers are at the service should you want your children to attend.

From Maria
Thursday 8.11am
23 October 2025

THURSDAY 7AM 23 OCTOBER 2025.
ASHBURTON DISTRICT COUNCIL UPDATE 7am Good morning Mid Canterbury – the MetService update last night has shifted the red warning for the Canterbury Plains an hour earlier to 9am. Our advice remains the same:
💨 Last chance to check your property for loose and unsecured items.
⚡ Charge your devices now in case of power outages.
🗑️If it's your bin collection day and you don't need to put your bins out - please don't! If you really need them emptied, put them out at 7.30am, use the wind straps, and bring them in once emptied.
🏠 Stay indoors if possible. If headed outdoors, watch for flying debris and stay away from areas with large trees.
🚗 Avoid unnecessary travel, but if driving, take extreme care.
📻 Stay informed via radio and the Ashburton District Council website linked below.
🚩 If at any time you, your family and/or your property are at risk, immediately contact emergency services on 111.

WE ARE OPEN Our wonderful teachers Kaitlyn, Debbie, Leanne and Maria and Rob are at the centre.

Wednesday 4pm - A regional State of Emergency has been declared for Canterbury and Civil Defence Emergency Management is urging residents to prepare for severe winds tomorrow (Thursday). When a State of Emergency is issued, that does not automatically require ECE services to close. It is a legal mechanism that allows emergency services and councils to respond more effectively, access resources, and coordinate support.

Our building and playground are in a closed environment. We will be taking down the sunshades and council have informed us that rubbish collection will still be in operation tomorrow :-)

Therefore, at this stage, Rising Stars Preschool will be open but we urge parents to be aware of traveling tomorrow as from 10am-4pm, severe gusts up to 130km/h are expected in exposed places.

If your child is not going to attend preschool tomorrow, please email the centre to let us know that you are safe. [email protected]

Should we need to action an emergency closure parents will be notified immediately. Maria and Rob will be available at the centre.

Red Wind Warning Issued for Canterbury | Ashburton District Council Civil Defence is urging residents to prepare for severe winds on Thursday after MetService issued Red Strong Wind Warnings for Canterbury.

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS
The centre will be closed for Christmas holidays. No fees are charged for the 2 week closure.
We recognise that holidays are important, and we offer an additional 50% off fees for 2 weeks per annum. Please email the centre if your child is going to be away outside the centre closure. If you require further information please see our Fee Policy or email the centre [email protected]

September 9-12 2025: This Week’s Learning in Te Rūma Preschool!
Tō Tātou Hapori Akoranga – Our Community of Learners

Term 3 is nearing an end, and it is difficult not to admire and appreciate our beautiful community of learners: this week included a graduation celebration, and farewell to our student Ally.

As a community we have put in the mahi, to nurture a sense of well-being and belonging in Te Rūma Preschool; an environment where tamariki can grow, learn, and thrive.
Play allows tamariki to explore and make sense of their world and supports developing social emotional skills to build meaningful relationships with others. It is a rich opportunity to express themselves, mahi tahi - collaborate, whiriwhiringa - negotiate and build empathy - laying the groundwork for lifelong learning.

Next week, we will celebrate Te Wiki O Te Reo Māori, we will explore the language through waiata and pukapuka and our eldest tamariki have been invited to attend a special mat time at the library.
We also look forward to our Term 3, Mihi Whakatau!

Wishing you all a splendid weekend,

Hari rā pāpā to all our fathers, koroua, uncles and brothers whom we are celebrating and remembering today.
Ngā mihi, for the very special role you play in providing care, support, and guidance.
We wish you much aroha, in return.

September 1-5 2025: This Week’s Learning in Te Rūma Preschool!
On September 3, Rising Stars Preschool was visited by Craig and Steve from Hakatere Ashburton Fire and Emergency Services. This visit was in response to supporting and exploring tamariki learning about our term 3 learning focus Our People, Our Place. Particularly, Firefighter Craig and Steve's visit, enhances our understanding of ko wai ratou? Who are they - being people in our community, and what work do they do?

Tamariki practiced waiting and turn taking to go out to the car park in small groups alongside their kaiako to see the fire truck and turn on and off the firehose! Those waiting inside for their turn listened to NeeNaw books and watched through the window!

Together we celebrated each other's turn, and learned through kaiako modelling how to be kind, patient, and supportive of our e hoa who were feeling a bit nervous or too shy to go and try the hose alone.

The learning that happened this week was vast. What stands out is tamariki sharing space with each other; connecting through play, stories, waiata, and art. Demonstrating friendship, kindness, patience - learning to hold space for each other's auahatanga (creativity) and make space for mahi tahi (collaboration).

Everyone did so well! Ka pai to mahi, e hoa.
We hope you have a splendid weekend and look forward to seeing you next week.

Wishing all our fathers A HAPPY FATHERS DAY.

Ashburton Fire visited the centre today and the children had a wonderful morning.

If parents want to revisit the fun with their child, Methven is putting on an open day on Sunday.