dudley-creek-preschool

Richmond Community Garden

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 20:29:40 GMT

Trips within our community

Visiting the Richmond community garden is such a rich experience for our tamariki. The bus ride there is just the start of the journey. There is so much to explore and experience. It is one of our favourite destinations.

For preschoolers, learning doesn't just happen inside our preschool - it happens out in the world around them. Trips into our local community help tamariki build confidence, curiosity, and a strong sense of belonging. They begin to understand where they fit and how they contribute.

Visiting the Richmond community garden adds an extra layer of rich learning. Tamariki see where food is grown, get their hands in the soil and develop an appreciation for the people and the mahi that sustain our neighbourhood. These experiences nurture kaitiakitanga, one of the key elements of our philosophy, responsibility and respect for the environment.

Being out and about together strengthens relationships, builds social skills and reminds our tamariki that they are an important part of the wider community

Cicadas

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 01:38:33 GMT

Our cicada learning journey

Our cicada learning journey

This learning began with curiosity from one of the tamariki, after discovering a cicada shell on a tree. From there, the children’s interest grew and guided our exploration.

We explored books together and found one about backyard bugs, helping us build background knowledge. We also looked online and discovered a wonderful page from Te Papa where we could listen to different cicada calls. The children listened carefully and tried to work out which cicada we could hear in our garden, imitating the sounds by clapping or clicking at just the right moments.

Outside, we went hunting for more shells and noted where we found them so we could return over the following days. Our climbing tree seems to be the best place so far.

Inside, we set up a bug table with the cicada life cycle displayed on the wall. Some of the children created a mat that looked just like the forest floor beneath our tree. After learning that cicadas live underground for most of their lives, sometimes for 2–3 years, feeding on tree roots, this same painting became part of our ongoing activity. The children used it to place cicadas at different stages of their life cycle, deciding whether they belonged underground among the roots or above ground on the tree stump, depending on how far along their journey they were.

We watched a short video by David Attenborough showing the full life cycle and hearing the cicadas sing. This became a fun way to test our knowledge as we pretended to be on the journey ourselves.

We also learned the te reo Māori word for cicada, kihikihi, which is displayed alongside the beautiful life cycle on our wall. Whānau are very welcome to stop and have a look. You might also notice your child suddenly becoming a cicada expert at home, listening closely or pointing them out in the garden. If you do spot anything together, we would love to hear about it.

Through this inquiry, the children are developing working theories about the natural world. They are learning to observe closely, ask questions, test ideas, and make connections between what they see, hear, and create. This kind of learning builds language, collaboration, and scientific thinking in a meaningful, hands-on way, led by the children’s own curiosity.

This learning also connects us deeply to the place we live. For some of us, the sound of cicadas is new, and exploring it together has helped us slow down and really listen. The children are learning that the sounds of nature are part of what makes this place special, and for many of us, cicadas have come to symbolise summer here in New Zealand.

Cicadas remind us how fleeting some moments in nature are. After spending so many years underground, it feels worth slowing down to celebrate the brief time they emerge, shed their shells, and fill the air with song before the cycle begins again.

The investigation continues…

Library Trip

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 00:54:48 GMT

Library Trip

In September we went on a trip to the Shirley Library/ Te Kete Wānanga o Ōraka. We took a short walk to the bus stop near preschool; the tamariki were very excited, especially from the ones tamariki that haven’t been on a preschool trip before, and after a short delay with the buses we were on our way to the library/whare pukapuka! We had a great time on the pahi/bus, some of us were pointing out places they have been or friends and relatives houses. When we arrived at our destination there was another short walk to the library. The tamariki were filled with excitement during the walk, there were lots of chats along the way about who has been to the mall, who has been to the whare pukapuka before and what fun things we can do at the library. Before we went into the library we decided to have some morning kai at the little garden area down the road.

Now we had a full puku it was time to venture into the library. We discussed what is appropriate in the library, how to be respectful towards the other people, and what we were going to do. The tamariki had a great time perusing the books, choosing which ones to bring back to preschool, reading with our Kaiako, playing on the computer and playing connect four. We collected a great selection of books, we almost had too many to carry! Before we left the whare pukapuka we all took a turn at scanning the books and putting them in the bag, then it was time for our journey back to Dudley Creek.

Excursions are very valuable experiences, they provide tamariki with opportunities to learn with their peers, to feel as part of the community they live in, and to learn about the wider world around them.

.Written by Jenny.

Kei te pēhea koe?

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 01:46:13 GMT

Kei te pēhea koe?

Kei te pehea koe? How are you?

Did you know that every month we focus on a Māori phrase? This is always written on the blackboards located near the mat and bathrooms. This month we are focusing on a song to support this (on the left of the poster). Kia kaha te reo Māori, give it a go!

Loose Parts Christmas Play

dudleycreekpreschool@gmail.com (Sue Fergusson) — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 21:40:26 GMT

Loose parts

Today we enjoyed decorating our own Christmas Trees using loose parts. At Dudley Creek we love our loose parts play. It helps our tamariki to develop creative and critical thinking skills by encouraging them to use their imagination and experiment with new ideas freely. Our creations are amazing

Happy & healthy tamariki

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 04:10:41 GMT

At the moment we are focusing on keeping ourselves healthy. So yesterday we had a five plus a day challenge. Our tamariki are so amazing. We challenged them to try a variety of fruits and vegetables, there were 11 in total. Every star on their certificates represents trying one of the options. What superstars! There are a lot of stars on those certificates, many with 11 stars, we are so proud of them all xx

Everyday counts, every book counts

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 04:08:29 GMT

Today is a great day to snuggle up with books with your tamariki! ��

Reading and oral storytelling with babies and young children promotes brain development and imagination, developing language and emotions, and strengthens relationships.

Children often enjoy books, songs and stories with good rhyme, rhythm and repetition.

Anytime is a good time for a book. Try to share at least one book each day.

Keep warm and dry everyone

Imaginative play on a rainy day

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 04:05:46 GMT

Yesterday morning we enjoyed washing our babies. This is a something we love and often do on a cold rainy day. It’s a fun activity and encourages imaginative play and lots of opportunities for social interactions.

At Dudley Creek Preschool we value imaginative play as it supports so many areas of child development. It fosters creativity, by providing a safe space for children to act out scenarios of their choosing, including situations they might not experience in real life. It promotes physical development in a fun way, such as hand eye coordination. It provides an opportunity for tamariki to practice and develop their language and social skills. And it also boosts the development of problem solving and self regulation skills, as it create opportunities for children to learn to play co-operatively. Wow so much more than just washing babies!

We are a small centre and the aim of our preschool located in Mairehau, Christchurch is to provide a safe and comfortable environment, where your children can feel at home. Contact our team today for information on enrolments.