Summerfield Early Learning Centre

We’ve been loving our Pets Inquiry project, with so many meaningful experiences bringing our learning to life!

A highlight was our visit from Zooventures, where the children enjoyed a hands-on experience meeting a range of animals including guinea pigs, a chinchilla, turtles, birds, frogs, and bearded dragons. Alongside this, we were also lucky to have a parent bring in their bunny rabbits from home, giving children another special opportunity to connect with and learn about caring for pets.

Through these experiences, we’ve been exploring what animals need to stay healthy and happy, their different habitats, and the importance of kindness and respect when interacting with living creatures.

It’s been wonderful to see the curiosity, care, and engagement from our tamariki as they build their understanding together.

Check out some of the highlights below

At Summerfield, we took time to remember and honour ANZAC Day. Through meaningful, hands-on experiences, the children explored the significance of this important day in ways that were engaging and age-appropriate.

We created artwork inspired by remembrance, baked traditional ANZAC cookies, and shared stories through books and conversations about history, bravery, and why we remember. The children also had the opportunity to explore medals, sparking curiosity and respectful discussions about those who served.

It was a special day of learning, reflection, and connection, as we supported our tamariki to begin understanding the values of remembrance, gratitude, and respect.

Lest we forget 🌺

Our holiday programme for our preschool room has been full of fun, laughter, and creativity! From disco moves to dressing as favourite book characters, pyjama day, getting messy, and sharing special pets, each themed day has brought something unique.

These experiences have supported children to build confidence, strengthen social connections, and express their creativity, all while learning through play. It has been fantastic to see their engagement and enjoyment across each day.

Throughout the past few weeks the children have engaged in meaningful hands-on learning, from creating festive art and decorating our Good Luck Tree with inspiring messages to crafting traditional red envelopes filled with positive wishes for the year ahead. The celebration ended in a spectacular parade, where the children proudly led our very own handmade dragon through the centre, showcasing fantastic teamwork and joy.
We are so proud of how our young learners have embraced these traditions, developing their social and expressive skills while celebrating the beautiful diversity within our community.

Celebrating Waitangi Day at Summerfield

Our tamariki took part in a meaningful and engaging exploration of Waitangi Day, learning about its history and the values it represents — partnership, respect, and belonging.

Through story time, children were introduced to the significance of Waitangi Day and what it means for Aotearoa New Zealand. Building on this, they created their own shared story experience, working together to reenact and express their understanding through group play and imagination. This supported language development, confidence, and collaborative learning.
Music and movement were also part of the celebration. Using rākau sticks, children explored rhythm and sound while singing cultural songs, encouraging creativity and an appreciation of Māori culture.

It was wonderful to see the children so engaged, curious, and proud as they learned through play and shared experiences. A special day of connection, learning, and discovery.

Recently, the children became curious about castles and began exploring what they are made of and the different parts that make them work. Together, we discovered features such as moats and drawbridges, and the children used their math skills to measure and create their own battlements.
They problem-solved how to make a drawbridge strong and safe, sharing ideas and working together to bring their castle to life.

Spending time on a topic that genuinely interests the children allows them to think deeply, ask questions, and test their ideas. Working together on a shared project supports their understanding, builds confidence, and encourages learning in meaningful and engaging ways—something we see as an important part of our everyday learning.

✨ The countdown is ON! ✨
We’re just ONE WEEK away from our production shows, and the excitement is building!

Our performers have been working incredibly hard, and we can’t wait for you to see all their talent shine on stage.
We can’t wait to celebrate this special week with you all!