Welcome from the Paua room team, where we take over the nurturing and development of your young child and start them on the road to becoming fully active members of society. This is the age of discovering independence, and as such providing our children with a sense of wellbeing and belonging is paramount within our Paua room giving them the confidence and safety to explore this growing sense of self.

Through watching, listening, copying and lots of trial and error Paua children are mastering so many new skills. Our Paua room is set up specifically with this learning in mind, with ample space and resources providing plenty of time for uninterrupted play and learning. Resources provide opportunity for children to mimic and explore ideas through imaginative play becoming mothers of their own “babies”, firefighters on their bikes, or tigers in the jungle enabling them to make sense of the world and their place within it, learning how to work with and alongside others as they play.

Paua teachers are a vital resource themselves at this highly influential age, and pride themselves in role modelling positive social interactions, encouraging language development and literacy through stories, rhyme and song as well as allowing children to copy and try out “jobs” such as gardening, animal care or baking to name a few.

Repetition is key for children of this age so resources and activities are constantly available, many of which utilize the same skills but in different contexts allowing for practice, practice, practice until our now very independent Pauas are ready to start their next journey to primary school.

Once your child turns four, we provide a special transition programme in collaboration with the new-entrant teachers of our local schools. Special attention is given to not just word recognition, numeracy and vocabulary but also concentration, working in a group and routines. We encourage aspects of learning and behaviour that will prepare them well for their move to ‘big school’.