Children thrive at Uplands Kindergarten, developing confidence, a passion for discovery and skills that set them up for a lifetime of learning. Owned and operated by Somervell Presbyterian Church, our kindergarten reflects Christian values and respect. We have been a trusted part of the local community for more than 50 years, and we are excited about what is yet to come. For more information on how we are regarded, check out our latest ERO report or read what our community are saying about us. At Uplands Kindergarten, children learn skills to extend their development physically, socially, emotionally and intellectually. Learning takes place in all areas of the kindergarten, both inside and outside.
We are open 48 weeks per year (closed over the Christmas break). Attendance during the other school holidays throughout the year is optional.
At Uplands we have some of the best early childhood education teachers around, and each brings something special to their work here.
I realised my passion for early childhood education after spending many happy years with my three children at Mangere Bridge Playcentre. My special interest is in supporting children to problem solve, collaborate, negotiate and make choices — real life skills. As a centre, I believe it’s important that we encourage children in their pre-school experiences to set them up for a life of learning. I particularly enjoy working with the four-year-old boys and supporting parents during these most important early years.
I have worked in pre-school and early childhood for over 18 years. I enjoy working alongside children and supporting their own interests to extend their learning. I especially enjoy doing art and messy activities with children to extend their creativity. One of the best things about Uplands is the way both children and parents form genuine relationships with us — we are more than educators, we are friends and role models. I am excited to have the opportunity to work with your child.
I have lived in Aotearoa New Zealand since 2000. I became a qualified early childhood teacher in 2008. I am a firm believer that children learn through play. Although my four children are young adults now, my passion for the early years and early childhood education remains the same. It is my absolute privilege to journey along with you and your child in his/her first years which set the foundation for life. As a fluent speaker of Mandarin and a little bit of Cantonese, I support our Chinese families to connect with the wider community of Uplands.
I assist the teaching team at Uplands Kindergarten as a reliever. I initially trained as a Primary School teacher and thoroughly enjoyed the shift to early childhood education as I watched my two children learn and grow when they attended kindergarten many years ago.
We are really proud of the work we do to help children become confident learners. At Uplands, children learn how to use the resources around them to get the information they want, and what to do if they don’t know the answer — essential skills for lifelong learning. They learn the power of persistence in solving problems, and the value in collaborating with each other to reach their goals. They also learn how to plan a course of action and to later reflect on what worked and what didn’t. Our approach is based on the cognitive theory Building Learning Power, developed by Professor Guy Claxton of King’s College, London. We apply BLP to three distinct learning programmes.
Our preschool/transition-to-school programme for four-year-olds focuses on the skills needed to start school, and nurtures a love of learning in a dynamic environment. Older children take part in science experiments, study the natural world, organise projects, and develop confidence speaking in front of the group about what is special to them.
For many, going to kindy is the first extended time away from Mum or Dad and home. When it’s hard for a child to settle at kindy, we’ll often arrange home visits, to get to know your child better in their own environment, and to create positive links between home and kindergarten. Our curriculum is based on Te Whāriki, the Ministry of Education’s early childhood curriculum, and illustrates the values and principles which underpin our Christian faith. Uplands respects and supports the right of each child to be confident in their own culture and to respect other cultures.
Our holiday programme offers a change in pace to term-time and is optional for our Uplands families. When ratios allow, we may take field trips to the library, park or art gallery, making use of trains and buses.
Uplands Kindergarten was formed in 1970 when two busy mums, Ngaire Lee and Robyn Florence, found themselves looking after a growing group of neighbourhood children in their back gardens. They moved into three rooms at the rear of the old Somervell Presbyterian Church building in 1976. Now Uplands is housed in a bright and airy purpose-built facility with great indoor/outdoor flow and a large outdoor area to accommodate our 2 – 6 year age group. A management committee draws on talents available in the church congregation as well as parent representatives. Through all the changes that the kindergarten has undergone in 50 years, the same care, love and practicality that went into forming Uplands all those years ago remains today.
For children aged from 2-6 years.
Start Time: 8.30am or 9.00am
Finish Time: 12.30 or 2.45pm or 3.30pm
Term 1 2023
Holiday Programme: 16 – 27 January 2023
31 January – 6 April
Easter 7-10 April
Holiday Programme: 11 April – 23 April
24 April – 30 June
Anzac Day 25 April
Kings Birthday 5 June
Holiday Programme: 1 July – 16 July
Term 3
17 July – 22 September
Matariki 14 July
Holiday Programme: 23 September – 8 October
Term 4
9 October – 21 December
Labour Weekend 23 October
For Uplands children 2-6 years.
Start Time: 8.30 or 9am
Finish Time: 12.30 or 2.45pm or 3.30pm