Methven Preschool kaiako believe that developing and sharing knowledge and understanding between preschool, home and community empowers tamariki as they learn through play, to build on individual experiences, knowledge, skills, interests, and views of the world.

Our high staff retention means the continuity of staff provides a safe, stable environment allowing tamariki the opportunity to develop the relationships and trust necessary to comfortably explore and learn from their surroundings.

 We believe tamariki should have access to outdoor play on a daily basis regardless of the weather – “there is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.”  Our vicinity to the lovely ‘Harmony Gardens’ means that we have lots of opportunity to explore outdoors and enjoy the many sensory experiences available in nature.

 We have a strong community focus and locals will tell you how they see us out and about the village visiting the many places of interest – Methven House Aged Care Home, the local schools for all their events (productions, pet days, sports events etc), as well as transition to school visits, the local library, Methven Mt Hutt Hall – Agricultural Centre, Fire Station, St John’s, Police Station. We also welcome others in to visit us.

Indeed your tamariki are here to have fun as they explore and learn through tactile experimentation – hands on activities, and sensory play – rule of thumb is ‘dress for mess!’

Our practice aligns to the Early Childhood Curriculum Te Whāriki 2017. This bicultural curriculum provides the foundation for promoting equitable educational success for all tamariki – and demonstrates our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

As a community based not for profit registered charity we are very appreciative of the support we receive from our preschool ‘fundraising committee’ who pull together some awesome events. What a fabulous community we live in!!

OUR HISTORY

Methven Creche began in the Anglican Sunday School Hall in July 1984 after much hard work by a dedicated group of locals to provide child-care for working mothers, mothers who needed ‘time out’ and to cater for visitors to Mt Hutt in the winter.
Fundraising was, and still is an important aspect of running the creche and after a four year haul the Methven Creche Association moved into a brand new, purpose built and debt free building ready to serve the community with quality child care on September 10th, 1988. The building has since undergone further development in order to raise the number of child spaces and now caters for a maximum of 50 children at any one time over the day between the hours of 8.00 am – 5.00 pm.
The Methven Pre School as it is now more commonly known continues as a community based/non profit organisation meaning that all funds continue to be returned into the centre to provide a well resourced facility staffed with qualified teachers.