Welcome back everyone! I hope you all had a great break whatever it was you were doing.

It's great to get back and hear all the stories from our tamariki. We have said  farewell to approximately 26 tamariki as they head off to school over the past couple of months, we wish them all the best and are confident that they will thrive after their time here at Swannanoa. 

We have also welcomed a number of new tamariki and their whānau into the Preschool. We know you are going to love your time here. If you have any questions - no matter what, please don't hesitate to ask any of our staff.

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Our new build:

Its all but done!! The staff and the tamariki are loving the new space, its huge, its light, its amazing!! But best of all it has bought the two nursery spaces and teams back together. The connections with Atawhai and Manaaki have been strengthened also, fulfilling our Centre vision of 'Kotahitanga' unity, togetherness, oneness. We just love it.

If you don't have a tamaiti in the nursery but would like to have a look through please let us know and we would be happy to show you :)

We have a few touch ups inside to finish and also in our outdoor area and then we are done!

Following this our plan is to paint Atawhai and Manaaki the same beautiful colour and then sit back with a nice cup of tea and admire it all!

Thank you to everyone for your patience and encouragement throughout our build. We have the most amazing community!

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Staffing:

Congratulations to Rachael... Rachael has been a student over the past year with us - moving throughout the Centre. Rachael graduated at the end of last year and we are very happy to say that she will be continuing with us in a permeant role in Puawai!! 

Well done Rachael and welcome to the team!

We are currently advertising for a permanent position in Atawhai and will keep you updated on progress. If you know of any amazing teachers out there be sure to tell them to check our website.

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Our amazing Committee:

I would like to say a massive thank you to our committee members - Kristy, Kate, Jo, Amanda and Jane. 

Thank you for your support and commitment to our amazing Preschool. We are lucky to have a great group of ladies (we would welcome a gent at any time!) who give up their time and lend their expertise.

We are sad to be saying farewell to Kate as Ollie heads off to school. Kate has been a fabulous member of our committee, very generous with her time and always enthusiastic!! All the best Kate and we know we will stay in touch :)

With Kates departure we are looking for a new Committee Member, please feel free to drop in and have a chat to Jo or Kristy (our Chairperson) as to what is involved.

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Update on the new Food Regulations:

The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education have introduced new food and eating guidelines and ECE regulations, these came into effect as of the 25th January.

You should have received an email from me with the detail around this last week.

There isn't a great deal of immediate change for us here as we don't provide food for the tamariki. However we do encourage you all to read the guidelines and make adjustments where you can.

This is to ensure the safety of all our tamariki. :) 

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Suggestions

If you have any suggestions or ideas for us here at Preschool we would love to hear them, we are a community based, not-for-profit Preschool - everything we do is for our tamariki, whānau, staff and community!

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Facebook:

Do you follow us on Facebook? A great place to keep an eye on updates and visitors. You will also be seeing regular posts of the amazing learning that happens here at Preschool.

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We currently have very limited spaces available.  If you are thinking you would like extra days please let me know so I can plan accordingly.

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I am in the office Monday to Thursday, you are welcome to drop in and see me at anytime.

Nga mihi nui

Jo Dobson

Centre Manager

Whangia ka tupu, ka puawai,

That which is nurtured, blossoms and grows