Our Christian Philosophy
St James Kidsway is committed to providing high-quality care and education for children from two years of age until they begin school. We believe in the concept of tuakana-teina, where children learn from both older and younger peers, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive learning environment.
At the heart of our practice is our Christian faith, which underpins our teaching philosophy and supports positive learning outcomes for all children. Guided by God's love and the principles of Te Whāriki, we nurture competent and confident learners who develop a strong sense of belonging, wellbeing, and curiosity. We aim to support every child to flourish and grow into individuals who make meaningful contributions to their whānau, community, and society.
The Christian character of St James Kidsway promotes an environment of love, respect, kindness, and care in all relationships. We believe every child is uniquely created by God, valued, and full of potential.
We acknowledge and respect the expectations, aspirations, and cultural values of parents and whānau for their children. We are committed to working in partnership with families to support each child's learning, development, and wellbeing. We encourage strong relationships with whānau and welcome their active involvement in their children's learning journey and the wider life of our centre.
Our teachers embrace teachable moments, ensuring that learning is engaging, meaningful, fun, and responsive to children's interests. Our curriculum is child-centred and extends beyond the classroom, recognising the importance of the home, the local community, and the wider world in children's learning. We value shared kai times as opportunities for children to gather with friends and kaiako (teachers) to enjoy food together, build relationships, develop independence, and share stories and conversations.
The teachers at St James Kidsway are carefully selected for their individual strengths, professional knowledge, and genuine commitment to nurturing young children. Through their daily interactions, they model Christian values such as love, trust, empathy, peace, patience, and respect, creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment where every child is encouraged to flourish and reach their God-given potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages do you cater for?
We welcome children from 2 years of age until they are ready to start school, providing a nurturing environment where every child can learn, grow, and thrive.
Why choose St James Kidsway?
We offer a unique blend of Christian values, quality early childhood education, small group sizes, experienced teachers, strong family partnerships, and a caring community where every child is known, valued, and encouraged to reach their God-given potential.
What makes St James Kidsway different?
St James Kidsway is a Christian, not-for-profit preschool where God's love is at the heart of everything we do. Our programme combines Christian values with Te Whāriki – New Zealand's Early Childhood Curriculum, creating a caring environment where children are encouraged to explore, discover, and develop confidence through play.
What curriculum do you follow?
Our learning programme is guided by Te Whāriki, supporting children's learning through meaningful play, relationships, and exploration. We nurture each child's spiritual, social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development while fostering a lifelong love of learning.
How is Christianity included in the programme?
Our Christian faith is naturally woven throughout each day through Bible stories, songs, prayer, and Christian values. We use the Fruit of the Spirit to encourage positive relationships and support children's learning, with these values also reflected in each child's learning documentation.
We are blessed to welcome Pastor Keleva each month to sing, share Bible stories, and engage with the children in a fun and meaningful way. Once each term, our tamariki visit St James Church for a special children's service, and at Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus with our own preschool Christmas service alongside our families.
Do I need to be a Christian to enrol?
No. We warmly welcome families from all backgrounds and beliefs who are happy for their child to participate in our Christian programme and values-based environment.
What are your opening hours?
Our preschool sessions run Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 2:30pm during school terms. We are closed during school holidays and public holidays.
If your family has an occasional need for a slightly later pick-up, please speak with Mrs Harris or Mrs Loef. Where possible, we are happy to discuss individual circumstances.
Do you offer 20 Hours ECE?
Yes! We offer the 20 Hours ECE funding for all eligible children aged three and over.
What financial assistance is available?
In addition to 20 Hours ECE, families may be eligible for other financial support, including the Work and Income (WINZ) Childcare Subsidy and FamilyBoost through Inland Revenue (IRD).
We're happy to help families understand what support may be available and encourage you to apply if you're eligible. Please speak with Mrs Harris or Mrs Loef if you would like more information.
Do you provide meals?
No. Children bring their own healthy lunchbox, morning tea, and a named water bottle each day.
We also have a Preschool Pantry, generously supported by our families and local community. Thanks to kind donations, including fresh bread from Bakers Delight and kiwifruit from Punchbowl, we're able to provide food if a child has forgotten their lunchbox, is still hungry, or accidentally drops their food. Our Preschool Pantry reflects our commitment to caring for every child and ensuring no one goes hungry while they are with us.
What should my child bring to preschool?
Children should bring:
A healthy lunchbox for morning tea and lunch.
A named water bottle.
A sunhat during Terms 1 and 4.
A warm jacket and gumboots during cooler months.
A spare changes of clothes for messy play or accidents.
Nappies or pullups, we provide wipes
How do you communicate with families?
We value strong partnerships with our families and use Storypark to share your child's learning journey, including photos, observations, learning stories, and developmental progress. Storypark is also used to keep families informed about upcoming events, excursions, newsletters, notices, and important preschool updates, helping you stay connected with your child's learning and our preschool community.
How do you prepare children for school?
Our school readiness programme focuses on developing the confidence, independence, and skills children need for a successful transition to primary school.
Alongside supporting early literacy, numeracy, communication, and social skills, we encourage children to become independent by learning everyday life skills, including:
Dressing themselves and managing their own clothing.
Putting on and taking off their shoes.
Opening lunchboxes, food containers, packets, and drink bottles independently.
Looking after their own school bag and personal belongings.
Packing away their lunchbox and placing belongings in the correct place.
Taking responsibility for their own learning and environment.
Building confidence, resilience, self-help, and problem-solving skills.
We work closely with families to support each child's transition to school, helping them become capable, confident learners who are well prepared for their next adventure.
How do you help children settle into preschool?
We understand that starting preschool is a big milestone for both children and their families. Before your child's first day, we encourage you to visit the preschool, meet our teachers, and explore the learning environment together.
Our caring team works closely with families to support each child's individual transition, helping them feel safe, secure, and confident as they begin their preschool journey.
Can I visit before enrolling?
Absolutely! We encourage families to arrange a visit so you can meet our teachers, explore our learning spaces, and experience the warm, welcoming atmosphere at St James Kidsway.
Where are you located?
We are located alongside St James Church in Pukekohe, providing a peaceful and welcoming environment for children and their families.
How can I enrol my child?
Simply contact Mrs Harris or Mrs Loef, or complete the enquiry form on our website. We'd love to answer your questions, arrange a visit, and guide you through the enrolment process.
Ready to Chat?
Yay! Send a quick message and let's plan something wonderful together.