Early Childhood Education, St Heliers
Our Small Miracles preschool is owned and operated by the St Heliers Presbyterian Church and Community Centre.
We provide Early Childhood Education in a caring, nurturing, happy, creative, inclusive and supportive environment and quality facilities that promote physical, emotional, intellectual, emotional and spiritual development.
We are licensed for 30 children aged two to five years with a high ratio of four staff to 30 children.
Visit our website online at Small Miracles
Our Programme
As a fully licensed preschool, Small Miracles follows Te Whariki, the recommended curriculum for early childhood in New Zealand. Te Whariki seeks to provide excellence in education with an emphasis on children learning through play. Children are valued as individuals and nurtured in a warm and caring environment that encourages them to share and develop their interests and ideas.
Contact Us
Phone: 09 585 4006
Email: smallmiracles@sthelierscentre.org.nz
Hours of operation
- Morning session: 9.00 am to12.00 pm
- Afternoon session: 12.30 pm to 3.00 pm
- Full day session: 9.00 am to 3.00 pm
- Monday and Friday afternoon sessions are reserved for our “Little Explorers”, a programme designed to prepare our older children for school
- We operate during the four school terms and close during school holidays
Our Day
Throughout the day our environment is set up to promote fun and active exploration to build on the children’s interests.
9.00 am: Greet and free play (indoor/outdoor flow)
10.00 am: Optional group time
10.15 am: Morning kai time
10.30am: Free play (indoor/outdoor flow)
11.45am: Leaving group time
12.00 pm: Kai time
12.30 pm: Free play (indoor/outdoor flow)
2.45 pm: Leaving group time
3.00 pm: Session ends
Little Explorers
Little Explorers is a programme designed to support tamariki as they prepare for school including:
- Further developing children’s curiosity about life and equip them with the skills to inquire and investigate.
- Developing social competencies and self-help skills to support children embark on their next learning journey.
Our “Little Explorers” have opportunities to develop literacy and numeracy skills through art, storytelling, music, games, and construction. There are also opportunities to develop early writing skills and letter recognition within the context of the programme and according to the child’s readiness.
On occasion, we will take a small group of our oldest children on local excursions to expand their knowledge and appreciation of their community and environment.
Our Miracle Workers
Ingrid de Villiers
Ingrid is the Small Miracles Team Leader. Originally a secondary school teacher, Ingrid re-trained in the early 2000’s to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education. She has been teaching at Small Miracles since 2005 and is passionate about Early Childhood Education and her role at Small Miracles.
“I believe in providing a nurturing environment where each child is encouraged to develop to their fullest potential so that they will thrive and become confident, competent learners and know they are valued.”
Dee Fox
Dee is a registered teacher with over 20 years’ experience. She has been with Small Miracles since 2012. She has a Bachelor of Teaching (ECE). Dee believes that the early years are fundamental to the development of children and feels privileged to be part of their early learning journey.
“My own personal and professional philosophy outlines the importance of providing opportunities for our tamariki to be explorers, encouraging independence and extending their curiosity of the world around them, but also to provide a curriculum that is able to balance the serious nature of teaching with joy and humour. I believe in fostering responsive and reciprocal relationships with both the tamariki and their whanau.”
Caroline Richardson
Caroline has being working in childcare and education for over 10 years in New Zealand, Britain and Europe. She has a Bachelor of Education. She is the newest member of our team.
“The rapid growth and development of preschool children has always fascinated me. It’s so exciting to watch children learn with such curiosity and excitement. I strive to create a stimulating environment in which children are inspired to learn through play and exploration.”
Sharon Blackman
Sharon has 30 years’ teaching experience and has worked in the early childhood sector in New Zealand for 19 years. Sharon previously ran GymbaROO, a neurodevelopment programme for children from birth to 5 years. Sharon is passionate about supporting children to develop to the best of their genetic potential. She believes that sensory and perceptual motor development is key to promoting body control, coordination and intellectual functioning and that insufficient motor development can cause learning hiccups.
"My goal is to support whole child development by providing opportunities for each child to experience success so that they can grow their confidence- and emotional intelligence in order to develop physically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually."
Rachel Doyle
Rachel has been teaching in the Early childhood Sector for over 20 years. She has a diploma of teaching.
"I love teaching, and I am passionate about children learning. I enjoy working collaboratively with our wonderful Small Miracles team of teachers.”
Miracle Stories
“We love Small Miracles preschool. The teacher’s ability to warmly welcome each child into their environment is very reassuring. Each day there are new and exciting activities set up for the kids to explore and develop their learning in fun and interesting new ways.” The McGregor Family
“It has been so reassuring for our little girl to join such a nurturing and caring environment. The team at Small Miracles have an incredible amount of experience and every week they provide something new for the kids to explore and learn about. Every day our little girl comes home invigorated and inspired!” Tracey Armstrong
