Our Story
He waka eke noa
Welcome, Nau mai, 欢迎, ようこそ, स्वागत, Bienvenido, Kia orana, Talofa, Mālō e lelei, Bula, Croeso, Willkommen, സ്വാഗതം, καλώς ήρθατε, أهلا بك, Aloha, ยินดีต้อนรับ
Little Blue Penguin now has two locations in Christchurch. Little Blue Penguin Bishopdale - 68 Farrington Ave, and Little Blue Penguin Prestons - 408 Prestons Road. Both centres are owner-operated and provide a lovely home away from home environment for tamariki;
where children, educators, parents, whānau and leaders will collaborate to co-design an exceptional programme with the same goal in mind: children who are comfortable in their surroundings, happy in their play and confident in their learning.
As Christchurch-based mums, passionate early childhood educators, and keen researchers we have a vision to create truly exceptional and unique learning spaces for children to learn, grow, discover and develop in natural, home away from home settings.
Because of our dedication to early childhood advocacy, supportive learning communities and continual improvement, we decided that the best option is to create our very own evidence-based preschool and nurserys.
Little Blue Penguin is dedicated to quality care and meeting the needs of each child and their whānau. This is achieved through our evidence-based and holistic approach to teaching and learning, as well as our core values: calmness, closeness, consistency, curiosity and confidence.
Knowing each child, their whānau (who they are and where they come from) is crucial to the success of the programme, and in order to truly implement a holistic approach Little Blue Penguin will provide nutritious home-cooked meals for children; caring for the children’s well-being first and foremost.
At our centres, we employ a primary caregiving system known as the Key Kaiako approach. This approach ensures that each child has a designated Key Kaiako or pair of Key Kaiako to provide consistent support for their learning and developmental needs. By establishing this bond, we foster a sense of security and trust, enabling tamariki to feel confident in forming relationships and exploring their environment. This approach allows for personalised attention and care, creating a nurturing environment where every child can thrive.
Bishopdale
Bishopdale, located in Ōtautahi, holds historical significance as it resides on the traditional lands of the Māori people. The area has a rich Māori history, with ties to local iwi (tribes) and historical events that have shaped the region. Many place names in and around Bishopdale hold importance in Māori culture and history, reflecting the deep connections of the Māori people to this area.
The original - our first preschool and nursery opened in 2018, and is housed in a renovated traditional red brick home that has been thoughtfully extended to create a mixed-age centre. Our Rūma Noho (Nursery lounge) and Tauparapara (Preschool) play spaces are connected by a serene transition area, offering a calm and comfortable environment for our children. Additionally, there is a dedicated sleep room for our youngest children, while our kitchen, designed as the 'heart of the home,' provides a low bench for children to interact and engage with cooking activities. The shared outdoor space fosters interaction among children of all ages, allowing them to grow and develop at their own pace.
Prestons
Marshland, situated in Ōtautahi, has historical and cultural significance as it is located on the traditional lands of the Māori people. The area carries a rich Māori history and is connected to the local iwi (tribes) and their ancestral heritage. The land and its surrounding environment hold importance in Māori culture, representing the enduring presence and influence of the Māori people within the region.
Our Prestons centre was introduced as our second LBP home in 2022. Our mixed-age setting features a separate nursery space and sleep room, as well as a shared play area. Surrounded by established trees and gardens, our spacious outdoor environment provides a natural and beautiful setting for our tamariki. They delight in playing on our fort with double slides, exploring the hill and tunnel, and swinging under the shade of the trees on our swings. We added a new covered deck to expand our play spaces in 2023, and in 2024, we will enhance our indoor environment by transforming our garage space into an additional play area for tamariki to enjoy together.