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Mission Statement & Philosophy

Our Mission is to create a learning space of excellence where tamariki, their whanau and kaiako can belong, believe, discover and grow.Our  Philosophy at Olive Shoots we welcome tamariki and their whanau into our centre where we aim to create a safe, inviting, inclusive and sustainable environment.We believe that whanau, the centre and the wider community are all vital for a child’s growth and development. We acknowledge that the intellectual, emotional, social, physical and spiritua...

Vicky

Kia ora. Vicky is my name and I have been at Olive Shoots since 2012. I count it a real privilege and joy to be able to work with children and I believe it’s a vocation that God has called me to. I have been involved in Early Childhood education most of my adult life either in a Centre or as a private nanny around the world. I’m married to Bruce and we have three amazing adult daughters . I’m very passionate about singing and enjoy being involved with Mainly Music....

Faali

Talofa, Kam na Mauri, my name is Faali Tapetulu Savaka and since graduating with my ECE degree I have been teaching in the Seahorse Room. I  enjoy teaching because its gives me the opportunity to meet our Pasifika and non Pasifika  children, their families and whanau, where I am able to build warm and trusting relationships with them. I come from the 2 beautiful islands of Tavalu and Kiribati and I married with 6 children. In my spare time I enjoy going to church , gardening and spendi...

Evelyn

Kia ora , my name is Evelyn, and I have been at Olive Shoots since 1998. I trained to be a Primary and Junior High School teacher in Germany where I was born and grew up. I work in the Seahorse Room. I enjoy incorporating my love for music into work with the children and offer movement sessions twice a week to encourage the development of your child’s foundational skills. I am married to Peter and together we have 3 active sons! Apart from working at Olive Shoots I teach violin, occasionally p...

Pamela

Kia ora, my name is Pamela and I have been at Olive Shoots since February 2018 after finishing my Degree in Early Childhood Education.  I was a nanny in London for 5 years and when I returned to NZ,  I got into Early Childhood teaching because I prefer being part of a team. In my free time I enjoy Salsa dancing, as well as reading and helping with youth group at my church...

Edwina

Kia ora, my name is Edwina and I have been a teacher at Olive Shoots since 2004. I have a Diploma in Early Childhood Education. I am passionate about encouraging tamariki to develop socially, emotionally physically and  intellectually. My aim is for parents and whanau to feel welcomed and supported and for their children to have opportunities and experiences to shine and excel. I am South African and married with 2 adult children. I speak Afrikaans and my hobbies are cooking , spending time...

Jan

Kia ora , my name is Jan. I graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Education in 2011 and have been teaching at Olive Shoots since 2012. I believe children are a treasure from the Lord and teaching is a blessing. I want to make a positive difference in children’s lives  and it gives me joy to help them grow in their faith and love for Jesus. I am married with 3 children- 2 have flown the nest and the  3rd is still at home. I enjoy gardening, music, and spending time at the beach. ...

Karen

Ni sa bula, my name is Karen. I have been at Olive Shoots since 2009. I am passionate about my work and enjoy providing a space where your child feels treasured, loved safe and secure as they learn through play. I am married with two adult children. I love church sports, beaches and reading. I can be quite competitive  especially when to comes to playing a game of 500 with friends! ...

Robyn

Kia ora. My name is Robyn. I am a trained Nanny with 27 years’ experience. I have been at Olive Shoots since 2018. I love to see children develop and grow in their own special and unique ways and enjoy being part of each child’s journey. I am married and have a teenage daughter. In my spare time I love to read,walk, watch movies and make cards....

Pearl

Kia ora. My name is  Pearl and I’ve been involved in Early Childhood Education for over 30 years – 21 of them at Olive Shoots! Our mission statement is ‘to create a learning space of excellence for children and teachers to belong, believe, discover and grow’.  I love working at Olive Shoots alongside our fantastic team of kaiako where we see  this wonderful learning happening in an environment where we seek to live out and communicate our Christian faith. Russell and I hav...

Trudy

Kia Ora, my name is Trudy. I have been working as an Early Childhood teacher for some time now after gaining my B Ed in 2000. I enjoy the privilege of spending quality time with your children, playing and working alongside them, and helping them to reach their God given potential. Some of my favourite learning activities for children include science, and construction type projects that engage children in active problem solving...

LEARNING PRIORITIES

Empowering children to take responsibility for making choices about their own learning and behaviour.Developing imagination and creativity through play.Developing problem solving skills.Developing literacy and numeracy skills....

DEVELOPING SOCIAL COMPETENCE

To provide a clear framework for developing social competence and appropriate behaviour. To ensure the regulations in the Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Centres 2008 C10 are met....

CHILD PROTECTION

The purpose of this Policy is to establish the actions that are to be taken to protect children from abuse and neglect by meeting Ministry of Education Early Childhood Education Licensing Criteria HS31& 32 and provisions of the Vulnerable Children’s Act 2014. This policy outlines our commitment to child protection. It includes practice notes on measures to be taken to prevent child abuse. This policy applies to all children who attend Olive Shoots ECC and to those children with whom personnel ...

CHILD HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY

If antibiotics are prescribed, the child must have been taking them for 48 hours before they can return to the Centre (ie they will be required to stay home for 2 days before being allowed to return to the Centre). This is to allow time for the medication to begin working. This will be up to the Manager’s discretion....

TRIPS

Trips are a vital part of our programme. We will notify you of the destination and the cost and you will need to sign the permission form to enable your child to attend. Adult to child ratios are determined prior to the trip being undertaken, and risks involved are analysed and efforts made to manage any risk. We encourage and need parent participation to make these trips work for us. Buses are used for all our excursions....

TOYS FROM HOME

We have a great range of exciting and educational toys for your child to play with at Olive Shoots. Apart from when your child is settling into the Centre (when a favourite toy can be reassuring) we kindly ask parents to leave personal toys at home. It is easy to misplace toys and we cannot be responsible for them....

TOILET TRAINING

Each child is ready for toilet training at different stages. Please discuss with staff when you are starting to toilet train your child so that staff can assist you by following this up in the Centre. We find that Pull-ups can be useful. Please ensure you send plenty of changes of clothing during toilet training....

SUN PROTECTION

Please provide a named hat which will protect your child’s face, neck and ears. Please ensure your child has sunblock on when they arrive at the Centre during the hottest months of the year. We provide sun block that we apply after lunch. ...

SETTLING YOUR CHILD

Starting at Olive Shoots can be a huge change to your child’s day. We want to ensure that at Olive Shoots we make this adjustment as easy as possible for both the child and the parent.Here are some ways to help your child settle:Visit Olive Shoots as often as possible before you leave your child at the Centre for the first time. Participate and play with your child with the toys and equipment. This allows him/her to become familiar and happy with their new environment.Get acquainted with ...

REST TIME

Facilities are provided for children to have supervised rest and sleep if required. Children have individual bedding which is laundered regularly and stored in their own bedding bags. Please discuss your child’s needs with the staff....

POP UP LIBRARY

We encourage parents to read to their children.You are welcome to borrow books from our Pop up library in the Reception area....

PARKING

Parking is available for drop off and pick up only. If you are also a student at Laidlaw College please use the College parking spaces.As there is no footpath access through the carpark, we would remind parents to walk with their children. The speed limit around Laidlaw College is 20 kph....

PARENT PARTICIPATION

Olive Shoots warmly welcomes families and whanau and is committed to partnership with parents, encouraging input and feedback on any aspects of our programme.We welcome parent participation. We encourage you to visit and to share your thoughts and talents with us. We are always keen to listen to parents and to involve you where possible.Please feel comfortable to talk to the Managers regarding further information or concerns over the care and education of your child.We love parent/whanau attendi...

NEWSLETTERS AND NOTICES

Olive Shoots aims to make communication with parents as open, regular and informative as possible.Regular newsletters are sent out by email and provide parents with relevant information. Email is used to communicate with parents. Please check the blackboard at our main entrance and the signs on the desk at Reception for notices.Messages are also sent to parents about upcoming events though Educa- an online portfolio software we use at Olive Shoots....