Starting school is a big milestone for tamariki and their whānau. At Little Parrots, our School Readiness Programme supports children to develop the confidence, independence and capabilities they need for a positive transition into the classroom — all while staying rooted in play, relationships and the principles of Te Whāriki.
We focus on nurturing the whole child: their social and emotional growth, communication skills, emerging literacy and numeracy, and their growing sense of mana and belonging.
Our approach is grounded in child-led learning and responsive relationships. Rather than “schoolifying” early childhood, we build on the skills tamariki naturally develop through play, exploration, problem-solving and everyday experiences.
Kaiako support these moments thoughtfully and intentionally, weaving in opportunities to practise skills that will help tamariki feel ready and excited for the next step.
We are fortunate to be able to provide lunch daily through the KidsCan ECE Food Programme.
Relationships sit at the heart of successful school transitions. Within a safe and supportive environment, tamariki learn to:
build friendships and work alongside others
express themselves and listen to others
take turns, negotiate and problem-solve
develop resilience and confidence when facing challenges
Kaiako model and support these skills every day, helping children develop the emotional tools they’ll carry into their first classroom.
Pre-literacy skills begin long before reading and writing. We focus on strengthening foundational abilities such as:
rich oral language — conversations, new vocabulary, asking and answering questions
storytelling and retelling events
recognising symbols and print in their environment
understanding that stories have a beginning, middle and end
showing interest in books, pictures and shared reading moments
These early literacy foundations set tamariki up for success and help them feel confident engaging with books and language at school.
Through play, tamariki are constantly exploring mathematical concepts. Our kaiako extend these moments by supporting:
counting and number recognition
patterns, sorting and grouping
measuring, comparing and estimating
problem-solving and logical thinking
exploring shapes and spatial awareness
These skills grow naturally through everyday experiences — pouring water, building towers, comparing sizes, noticing shapes and talking through ideas.
Feeling capable is a huge part of feeling ready. We help tamariki develop:
confidence with dressing, toileting and personal care
managing their belongings
tidying up and taking responsibility for shared spaces
understanding simple routines and expectations
These skills help ease the transition into a more structured school environment without compromising children’s autonomy or play-based learning.
Transitions work best when kaiako and whānau work in partnership. At Little Parrots, you’ll receive regular updates about your child’s learning — including notes, photos and insights that highlight their growing capabilities and next steps.
We’ll also talk with you about school options, your child’s wellbeing, and anything else you’d like support with as the big day approaches.
Every child’s transition to school is unique. The most important thing is finding an ECE environment where your child feels safe, valued and supported as they grow in confidence.
At Little Parrots, our kaupapa is grounded in whanaungatanga and manaakitanga — building strong relationships, nurturing children’s sense of identity and belonging, and celebrating the strengths they bring with them.
If you’re looking for a warm, play-based School Readiness Programme in Mount Maunganui, we’d love to welcome you in for a visit.
