Portobelo Preschool & Nursery Kaiapoi is located in a quiet residential street in Kaiapoi, well away from the industrial area and motorway. Our adjacent nursery is able to be accessed either by walking through our walkway, or from a separate street address.
The preschool was once a private house, on a large section, which has been adapted to meet the needs of our preschool. Indoors we have a number of cosy inviting areas thoughtfully set up by teachers each day, that encourage children to engage in sustained creative play. We also have a separate café area where the children eat together and take part in larger group activities. We have a wide range of ever-changing resources that invite cooperation and joint work on projects of various natures and sizes. Children learn about respect, responsibility and community, while developing friendship skills, creativity, problem solving, along with literacy and numeracy. For our older children, we have a specially designed ‘Ready for School’ programme, which ensures each child is well set up for success when they enter formal schooling.
The outdoor area is a large natural space, with fruit trees, decking, edible gardens, swings and a slide, a playhouse, and plenty of space for exploration and activities. Every day the children use this space for swinging, digging, running, climbing, playing ball games, riding their bikes and tending our gardens. They learn about challenge and risk, problem-solving, working with others, perseverance, and responsibility for the environment, while making discoveries in this rich environment.
We love getting out and about in our local community, and there are local parks, a primary school, the Community Garden, a rest home, shops and a library for us to walk to regularly.
Please phone to arrange a visit to see how special Portobelo Kaiapoi Preschool is, and what we have to offer you and your child. We will be happy to show you around and discuss your child’s particular interests and strengths, and your wishes and hopes for their learning and care in our centre.