Our Mission Statement
At PHSCC, our mission is to nurture a lifelong love of learning in every tamaiti, within a secure and welcoming environment where every voice is recognised and valued. We work in close partnership with parents and whānau to support each child's unique journey, fostering a sense of belonging and community.
Our Philosophy
PHSCC is a warm, engaging, and inspiring place of learning for tamariki, whānau, and kaiako. Our philosophy is rooted in relationships, child-led play, and a deep respect for the unique identity of every learner. We strive to create a learning environment where tamariki can flourish, guided by the values of manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, aroha, and respect.
We Believe:
• Play is powerful.
Rich, authentic, child-led play sits at the heart of our curriculum. We provide flexible routines and uninterrupted
time, giving tamariki space to explore, create, and engage in meaningful learning experiences that foster curiosity, resilience, and joy.
• Learning is a shared journey.
Investigation, discovery, and creativity are embraced by both tamariki and kaiako. We foster a culture of inquiry, where everyone is seen as a capable and competent learner.
• Relationships matter.
Respectful, loving, and consistent relationships are foundational to everything we do. Our key kaiako approach supports emotional security and a strong sense of belonging. We value reciprocal relationships with whānau, recognising the importance of their knowledge and aspirations.
• Culture and identity are celebrated.
We honour the bicultural heritage of Aotearoa New Zealand, weaving Te Reo Māori and Tikanga Māori meaningfully through our daily practices. We affirm and celebrate all cultures, supporting tamariki to develop a strong sense of identity and respect for others.
• Nature and aesthetics inspire learning.
Our environment is the ‘third teacher’ — thoughtfully designed to spark creativity, connection, and wonder. We embrace loose parts play, natural materials, and sustainability. Regular visits to our neighbouring orchard allow tamariki to connect deeply with Papatūānuku and engage all their senses.
• Children's voices guide us.
We trust and empower tamariki as capable thinkers, decision-makers, and contributors. We value their perspectives, honour their rights, and recognise their unique learning dispositions and strengths.
• Holistic, intentional teaching matters.
Our teaching practice is informed by the principles of Te Whāriki, and inspired by theorists such as Bronfenbrenner, Vygotsky, Pikler, Magda Gerber, and the Reggio Emilia approach. We see the child as a whole person — socially, emotionally, physically, intellectually, and spiritually.
• Leadership is shared.
We believe in collective responsibility, where learning and leadership are shared among kaiako, tamariki, whānau, and the wider community. We nurture tuakana-teina relationships, encouraging older tamariki to guide and support younger peers.
At PHSCC, our purpose is to provide high-quality early childhood education and care in an environment where every child
is seen, heard, and empowered to thrive.
Our Guiding Values:
• Manaakitanga – Warmth, care, and hospitality
• Whanaungatanga – Strong relationships and whānau connections
• Aroha – Love, compassion, and empathy
• Respect – For people, culture, and the environment
• Whakamana – Empowerment and agency
• Holistic Education – Recognising and nurturing the whole child
Infant & Toddler Philosophy
In our infants and toddlers room, children under the age of two are nurtured by our primary caregivers who embody the principles of Magda Gerber’s Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE) philosophy. This approach emphasizes respectful, peaceful, and responsive caregiving, allowing children the freedom to learn and develop at their own natural pace without interruptions. Our primary caregivers are supported by dedicated staff from the Tui group, fostering secure and
familiar relationships with the infants and toddlers.
Respectful Caregiving as Curriculum serves as the foundation of our approach. We recognize that care moments—such as dressing, bottle feeding, nappy changes, and sleep time—are vital in an infant’s day. Therefore, we prioritize the love and focused attention (TLC) that children receive during these significant times.
Daily routines are guided by each child's natural rhythms and adapted to reflect their home routines, ensuring flexibility to meet their ever-changing needs. To enhance communication between home and the centre, individual daily diaries are maintained to share important information and photographs of each child's day.
Our thoughtfully designed environment, paired with consistent caregiving, creates a secure setting where infants and toddlers feel at ease. This security empowers them to explore, move, and interact freely within their surroundings and with those around them.
We value strong relationships with family and whānau and welcome their involvement in our daily programme. While we recognise the importance of sibling connections, visits between older children and the under-twos room are supported only when appropriate and at the discretion of the teaching team, ensuring the wellbeing, routines, and care moments of our infants and toddlers remain the priority.
Our primary caregivers, along with supporting teachers, sensitively observe and respond to each child's individual needs and interests, planning the environment and activities accordingly. We document each child's progress through treasured daily journals, personalized learning portfolios, and our Pepi Planner.