Deb's Place Early Learning Centre

21/09/2026

Our tamariki have been learning to write their names. With guidance and encouragement from their kaiako, they are practising the correct pencil grip, learning the order of the letters in their names and developing their letter formation. Each attempt helps build confidence, fine-motor skills and early literacy knowledge.

17/09/2026

When Kaiako Milly “fell asleep” during mat time, some of our tamariki quickly stepped in to continue reading the story to the younger children. This lovely moment demonstrated tuakana-teina, as well as manaakitanga (caring for others), rangatiratanga (leadership) and the confidence to take responsibility for their group.

16/09/2026

Our tamariki enjoyed some quiet time exploring water and colourful spring blossoms. As they noticed the beautiful colours, textures, scents and movement of the flowers, kaiako introduced new vocabulary and descriptive words to extend their thinking, communication and understanding.

16/09/2026

05/09/2026

Happy Father’s Day!

Wishing a very Happy Father’s Day to all the amazing dads, grandads, stepdads and special father figures in our Deb’s Place whānau.

We hope your day is filled with lots of love, cuddles, laughter and special moments with your little people.

Thank you for everything you do and for being such an important part of their lives.

Ngā mihi nui ki ngā pāpā katoa — Happy Father’s Day!

31/08/2026

Small group activities give our tamariki valuable opportunities to learn alongside others, take turns, communicate and develop confidence in a relaxed setting. A game of Memory Match adds plenty of fun while strengthening concentration, visual memory, problem-solving and perseverance. Learning together also encourages children to celebrate each other’s successes and develop positive relationships.

31/08/2026

Starting school is a big milestone! As part of our transition to school programme, our tamariki visit local schools to become familiar with the school environment and what a school day might look like. These experiences help build confidence, independence and a sense of belonging, making the move from preschool to school feel positive and exciting.

27/08/2026

We loved welcoming Hato Hone St John to spend time with our tamariki, learning about how to keep ourselves safe, the different emergency services that help us, and what to do when we need help. The children learnt about calling 111 in an emergency and who might come to help. Visits like this also strengthen whanaungatanga, building meaningful connections between our tamariki and the people and services within our local community.

24/08/2026

Being prepared is an important part of keeping our tamariki safe. During our earthquake drills, the children practise making their “turtle” — getting down low, covering their heads and staying safe until the shaking stops. Regular practice helps our children become familiar and confident with what to do in an emergency.

20/08/2026

We were very excited to welcome our local Fire and Emergency New Zealand crew for a special visit! Our tamariki explored the fire engine, discovered some of the equipment firefighters use and learnt about fire safety and what to do in an emergency.

Visits like this are also a wonderful way to strengthen whanaungatanga – building relationships, connections and a sense of belonging within our local community. By connecting with the people who help keep our community safe, our tamariki develop confidence and a greater understanding of the world around them.