Redwood Early Learning Centre
Azucena Mcquay
The IB PYP is an engaging, child-centred curriculum for children ages 3-6 years that empowers children to become independent lifelong learners. The transdisciplinary framework allows children to learn various topics across subject areas, rather than solely memorising facts or topics in isolation. As children expand their skills and knowledge, they can apply them in real-world contexts.
The IB PYP at Redwood Center of Excellence supports the whole child, nurturing their academic, social and emotional development. This comprehensive framework focuses on international-mindedness and universal values along with key characteristics of dynamic citizens and leaders.
Our educators treat every child as the individual they are. From 1.5 months old to 6 years old, we guide them on the journey that will set them up for life.
- English Speaking Staff
- Hand-selected educators from around the world
- Small class size with personalise attention
- Dedicated Daily Updates About Your Child
Our facilities are designed by the best minds in early education. They provide boundless opportunities for children to explore, and interact with their environment, stimulating learning across the full spectrum of stimuli, and finding their own passions.
Our parents often tell us about rushing to the phone each day eager to read the update and view the photos. This is the service we promise and we continue to innovate to provide even more.
We take a holistic and scientific approach to developing young minds, and in the kitchen this is equally important.
Redwood Early Childhood Centre is a community-based service. Team leaders in the preschool room and the nursery oversee the daily programmes. A committee of elected parents support the centre manager with governance. Most staff are qualified early childhood teachers. The service represents an ethnically diverse community with one fifth of enrolled children identifying as Māori. The service continues to make progress in addressing the recommendations of the June 2018 ERO report.
Children are encouraged to make choices about their play, be curious learners, and are empowered to make sense of their world. The philosophy incorporates values of love, trust, respect, and playfulness and these are evident in practice. Primary caregiving is effectively used as a key approach to support the social and emotional wellbeing of infants and toddlers. Children with additional learning needs are well supported within the curriculum. The learning environments are well resourced.
Reciprocal relationships with parents and whānau are established and support a culturally responsive curriculum. Significant events are celebrated to acknowledge the cultures, languages, and identities of children and their families.
through the internal evaluation process, clearly document how leaders and teachers monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of planned actions (new systems, processes, and practices) and show the extent to which outcomes for children have been improved.
Before the review, the staff and management of Redwood Early Childhood Centre completed an ERO Centre Assurance Statement and Self-Audit Checklist. In these documents they attested that they have taken all reasonable steps to meet their legal obligations related to:
The centre is licensed to provide care and education for up to 40 children, including 10 children under two years old. It has a preschool room and a nursery. Both areas have separate outside play spaces. A centre manager oversees the centre and is supported by a preschool team leader and a nursery team leader. Most staff are registered and qualified early childhood teachers or are in training for qualification.
Since the previous 2014 ERO review, there has been a change in needs within the centre's community as well as changes to key leaders' and staffing positions in both teams. There have been well-supported adjustments to the composition of the governance committee. The centre is continuing to address the key next step of the 2014 review to include children's views about their learning.
The centre philosophy provides a clear vision for the governance committee, leadership, staff, children and their families. It focuses on enhancing children's development and wellbeing through whanaungatanga, to enable them to become competent and confident lifelong learners. As a community-based education and care centre, Redwood Early Childhood Centre is inclusive, home-like, inclusive and respectful in its practices.
A wide range of child-directed learning opportunities allows children to make choices and lead their own learning. A play-based learning approach enables children to further extend their learning through creativity. Teachers value children's opinions and see them as capable and confident learners. Teachers share a commitment to inclusive education. All teachers have a shared, collaborative responsibility for the progress and development of each child in the centre.
Individualised learning, and teaching and learning processes and practices prioritise the needs of each child. Children have many opportunities to work co-operatively together on their chosen tasks. They are well supported during transitions into, within and from the centre.
The nursery ratios promote and support responsive caregiving. Infants experience a calm and nurturing environment and caring interactions with teachers. Teachers' calm, unhurried approaches suit infants' individual pace, and there is a strong focus on oral language and whole child development. Teachers understand the concept of aroha, including compassion and respect.
Positive relationships with children and their parents are highly evident across the centre. Children with specific learning and behavioural needs are well supported by staff. Engagement with parents and whānau is very well promoted and communication is regular and informative.
Leaders have had to manage a range of changes in the last four years. A distributed leadership model is clearly evident. Leadership is responsive to parents, whānau and staff. The centre's leaders have strong educational and professional networks. Internal evaluation processes and practices which promote positive outcomes for children are well developed and implemented.
There is a positive relationship between the governance committee and leadership. The committee has effective governing processes and is experienced and skilled in its role. The committee's commitment to the community is very evident. This includes the provision of resources and professional development opportunities for staff, and decision making that best supports children's interests and needs.
A focus for the government is that all children, especially priority learners, have an opportunity to benefit from quality early childhood education. ERO will report on how well each service promotes positive outcomes for all children, with a focus on children who are Māori, Pacific, have diverse needs, and are up to the age of two.
Redwood Early Learning Childhood Centre is a community-based service in Christchurch. It provides high quality care and education for children aged from birth to five years old. The centre has two separate areas for children under and over two years old.
The licensee is the centre manager. The manager, parent and teacher representatives make up the governance committee. The committee supports teachers to provide a high-quality service for children and their families. The centre is very well supported by its local community.
Specific professional development ensures teachers have current knowledge and skills to support and further strengthen their teaching practices. They are strongly committed to continually improving outcomes for children.
By fostering a supportive and inspiring environment for our staff, we ensure that your child receives the utmost care and nurturing, setting the stage for their happiness, and solid foundation for the future.
At our pre-schools, we believe that happy staff leads to happy children. By creating a supportive and inspiring environment for our team, we ensure that every child receives the highest level of care and nurturing. We understand that the early years are crucial for building a solid foundation for their future, and we take this responsibility seriously.
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