Deb's Place Early Learning Centre

Our little firefighters have been busy responding to emergencies and saving the day! Dramatic play like this gives our tamariki opportunities to use their imaginations, work together, solve problems and explore the important roles people have in our community. Who knows — we may have some future firefighters in the making!

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There was plenty of excitement when our tamariki headed out into the neighbourhood to see the new overpass bridge finally in place! This is a significant development for our local community and one that will become part of everyday life for many of our families — with some of our tamariki soon walking across the new bridge on their way to preschool.

Getting out and noticing these changes strengthens whanaungatanga, helping our children build a sense of connection and belonging while seeing first-hand how their neighbourhood is growing and changing.

Our curious tamariki have been investigating the magic of magnets and magnetism! Through hands-on play, children experimented with different objects to discover what magnets attract and what they don’t. Experiences like this encourage curiosity, problem-solving and early scientific thinking as children explore, test their ideas and make exciting discoveries.

There’s something magical about bubbles! Our tamariki have been busy exploring, experimenting and discovering what happens when we blow gently through a straw. This simple experience encourages curiosity and concentration while building oral motor skills and an understanding of cause and effect — all while creating lots of bubbly fun!

What a wonderful evening celebrating Matariki together! ✨

It seemed Tāwhirimātea was smiling on us, blessing us with a crisp, clear night for our Matariki Disco.

A heartfelt thank you to all the whānau who joined us. It was a fantastic evening of fun, laughter, dancing, and connection. Mānawatia a Matariki! 🌟

Manuia le Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa! 🇼🇸

Happy Samoan Language Week!

This week we celebrate the beautiful Samoan language, culture, and traditions. Samoan Language Week is a wonderful opportunity for children and families to learn a few simple phrases and explore the rich culture of Samoa.

Why not try some of these phrases at home?

Some useful information coming into winter and an increase of illnesses.

The tamariki have been enjoying revisiting familiar books at preschool, building early literacy skills as they recognise characters, retell stories, predict what happens next, and explore new vocabulary.

One of the exciting weekly events at preschool is the arrival of the groceries! The tamariki are always eager to help carry, unpack, and sort the food, building teamwork, responsibility, and practical life skills through these everyday experiences.