Gumboots and Grasshoppers

07/04/2026

01/04/2026

✨ Meet Teresa ✨

How could you not love Teresa? She has been part of our Ruma Teina whānau for her entire Gumboots & Grasshoppers journey, and oh how lucky we are to have her.

Teresa has been teaching for 24 years, with the last 4 of those treasured years spent here at Gumboots. She is also a mum of two, and one of her children started their journey with us at just 18 months old and has now headed off to school – a very special full-circle moment.

Teresa brings such a beautiful sense of calm to our toddler space. You’ll often find her sitting with the tamariki sharing a story, leading an impromptu mat time, or outside having a spontaneous dance party.

She fosters strong, genuine connections with ngā tamariki through meaningful conversations and respectful practices, creating a space where children feel safe, valued, and truly seen.

We are so grateful for the warmth, care and dedication Teresa brings to our centre every single day. We love you, Teresa! 💛

31/03/2026

Trips to the local school library 📚✨

Our tuakana took a special trip to the local school during one of their walks. They spent time sitting together, exploring books, and enjoying the calm, welcoming space around them.

Moments like these nurture a love for reading, build confidence in new environments, and strengthen those important connections with our wider community 🤍

30/03/2026

The last month in Ruma Teina 🤍

So much laughter, so much joy, and so many special moments shared together. Watching these friendships grow, seeing the learning unfold, and embracing everything around us has been so special.

Grateful for the smiles, the connections, and the memories we’re creating every day ✨

09/03/2026

Happy Holi from Gumboots and grasshoppers - Friday we celebrated Holi – the festival of colour! 🌈

The children explored bright powders, mixing, throwing and watching the colours dance through the air. There was so much laughter as little hands discovered new colours, patterns and friendships along the way.

Holi is a beautiful celebration of joy, togetherness and new beginnings. Through play, the tamariki experienced different cultures, shared excitement with friends, and expressed themselves creatively.

Our outdoor space quickly turned into a rainbow of smiles, curiosity and connection. What a colourful day of learning and fun! 💛

26/02/2026

Garden time 🌱
Today the children cared for our plants, explored different flowers, and engaged their senses through watering, touching, and smelling 🌼
Zoe noticed the yellow flowers on her dress matched the ones in the garden — a beautiful moment of connection and awareness 💛
These simple experiences help build curiosity, observation skills, and a love for nature ✨ #ʟᴇᴀʀɴɪɴɢᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜᴘʟᴀʏ

16/02/2026

Fresh air, sunlight, and time in nature play a powerful role in a baby’s development. Being outdoors supports sensory exploration, physical growth, emotional wellbeing, and brain development.

When babies feel the grass, listen to birds, watch leaves move in the wind, and feel the warmth of the sun, they are building connections with the world around them. These early experiences help to develop curiosity, confidence, calmness, and a deep sense of belonging. #ʟᴇᴀʀɴɪɴɢᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜᴘʟᴀʏ

11/02/2026

Meet Symon ✨

This is Symon — one of our incredible tuakana kaiako and a much-loved part of our centre whānau.

Symon has been with us for over 4 years now, and he truly loves every minute. He began his journey with us in Rūma Teina (toddlers) in 2021 and quickly made the move to Rūma Tuakana (preschool), where we discovered his true passion lies.

You’ll usually find Symon outside kicking balls with the tamariki, running around full of energy, tinkering away in the carpentry area, or keeping busy wherever he’s needed. He brings dedication, positivity, and heart into everything he does, and his passion for teaching shines through daily.

We feel incredibly privileged to have Symon as part of our whānau 💛

Male teachers enrich early childhood environments by providing positive role models, expanding children’s understanding of gender roles, and contributing diverse teaching styles and experiences — and Symon is a beautiful example of this.

03/02/2026

Paint, play, and responsibility in action 🎨✨

Today our toddlers explored colour and texture by painting the clear tunnel using paintbrushes and their hands. We felt smooth, slippery, thick and squishy textures while strengthening little hand muscles and building sensory awareness.

Once the painting was finished, the children independently grabbed cleaning cloths and got straight to work ✨
Through this experience they practised:
🖐️ fine-motor skills
👀 sensory exploration
🎨 creativity and self-expression
🧽 responsibility and care for our environment

Messy play with purpose — learning doesn’t stop when the paint does 💛 #ʟᴇᴀʀɴɪɴɢᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜᴘʟᴀʏ

28/01/2026

Little bodies, big discoveries. Through physical play and experimentation, children learn what their bodies can do — building confidence, problem-solving, and resilience along the way. #ʟᴇᴀʀɴɪɴɢᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜᴘʟᴀʏ

23/01/2026

A gentle message for parents

If your child isn’t interested in writing yet, it doesn’t mean they’re behind.

When literacy is playful, meaningful, and suited to their learning style, confidence grows — and writing often follows in time.

Try one or two ideas that we have shared with you this week and see what sparks joy.
We’re always here to support your child’s learning journey