At Piccolo preschool we are inspired by the principles and values of the Reggio Emilia approach to teaching and learning. Our practice is committed to and guided by Te Whāriki -The New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Our philosophy reflects a commitment to providing a nurturing and inclusive environment that honours and connects our tamariki, their whānau, and our wider community together.
Our image of the child is one where every child is a capable and competent researcher and learner, all while actively contributing to their own learning journey. We acknowledge and celebrate that every child is a capable and unique individual with their own rights, potential and autonomy. We believe that tamariki come bringing their unique kete/basket of prior knowledge and experiences, and at Piccolo we nurture each individual child’s sense of curiosity, their creativity and diverse perspectives.
We see whānau as the knowledge bearers of their tamariki. Building strong, reciprocal relationships with whānau is important to help us to gain better understanding of the families’ aspirations for their tamariki. At Piccolo we create a place of belonging where our foundations are built on trust, respect, and open communication. We work with whānau to collaboratively respond to our tamariki, their needs and context as best practice when supporting our children’s learning and holistic development.
Our curriculum encompasses a holistic approach to teaching and learning, one which fosters the development of the whole child across all dimensions of their being - cognitive, physical, social, emotional and spiritual. Through our curriculum we acknowledge and are committed to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, actively incorporating te ao Māori and tikanga Māori into our daily practices. At Piccolo we celebrate the cultural diversity of our community, valuing the knowledge, languages and traditions of all tamariki and their whānau.
The principle of Kaitiakitanga/ guardianship over the land is something we highly value and make part of our everyday practices at Piccolo Preschool. We encourage our tamariki in developing an understanding and respect for our natural world and environment by fostering their sense of responsibility towards sustainable practices.
Piccolo preschool is an inclusive early childhood centre that prides itself in providing rich learning experiences that honour the rights, voices and identities of all those who walk through our doors. We aspire to empower and inspire our tamariki to see themselves as competent and confident learners as they embark on their lifelong journey of learning and discovery.
