Pre-school

Kura Kōhungahunga

The St Andrew’s College Pre-school is a warm, modern, and nurturing environment where each child is known, valued, and encouraged to explore the world with confidence. Nestled within the wider College campus, our Pre-school offers young children a strong sense of belonging, while giving them space to wonder, create, problem-solve, and grow at their own pace.

Why choose St Andrew’s College Pre-school

Choosing a pre-school is about trust, relationships, and the confidence that your child will be genuinely known. At St Andrew’s, our small, consistent team and low teacher-to-child ratio mean children receive close attention, individual support, and warm, responsive care each day.

Our programme is designed to celebrate each child’s individuality, talents, interests, and strengths. Children are encouraged to explore, ask questions, create, and make sense of their world through meaningful play and inquiry-based learning

Meet our Pre-school team

Our teachers are the heart of the Pre-school. Fully registered, warm, and deeply committed, they bring consistency, experience, and genuine care to the children they teach. Their relationships with children and whānau help create a safe, nurturing environment where young learners feel secure, confident, and ready to grow.

Mandy Jenkins

Head of Pre-school

Master of Science majoring in Psychology (MSc)
Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching majoring in Early Childhood Education (PGDipTch)

Jan Marshall

Team Leader (Since 2000)

Diploma of Teaching (ECE)

Joanna Gregg

Teacher (Since 2000)

Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (ECE)
Diploma of Teaching (ECE)
Graduate Certificate in Management (ECE)

Emma Richards

Teacher (Since 2011)

Bachelor of Performing Arts
Diploma of Teaching (ECE)

Ashleigh Gargiulo

Teacher (Since 2018)

Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (ECE)
Diploma of Teaching (ECE)

Nadine Freeborn

Teacher (Since 2017)

Diploma of Teaching (ECE)

"Every child’s individuality is acknowledged and celebrated. Our Pre-school programme ensures that all children are encouraged to explore their world, knowing their curiosity and wonder is valued and nurtured."

Mandy Jenkins Head of Pre-school

A bright, modern place to learn

In our bright, modern learning environment, children can freely explore their individual interests with support, encouragement, and care. A vibrant classroom area provides a colourful backdrop for inquiry-based learning, imaginative play, creative pursuits, and problem-solving.

Our light-filled Pre-school facilities, garden, and outdoor play area create an environment where children can engage with people, materials, ideas, and the natural world. Inside, the large open-plan area is divided into spaces for different curriculum areas, including building and construction, a family area with a kitchen and dining room, a snug with tiered seating for reading and quiet activities, and a dedicated Art Studio.

A transition room is available for older children to have their own space or take part in extension activities. It also provides a sleeping area, with individual beds and bedding for children who require a sleep during the day.

Learning through nature and discovery

A love of the natural world is encouraged at St Andrew’s College Pre-school. Children care for plants and animals, including experiences with the vegetable garden, life cycles of butterflies and frogs, and tropical fish.

These experiences help children discover more about themselves, develop curiosity and responsibility, and grow their sense of wairua, or spirit. Through hands-on exploration, children begin to understand their relationship with people, places, living things, and the world around them.

Two children playing outside at the St Andrew's College Pre-school.

Social competency

Social development is an important part of life in our Pre-school. In a nurturing physical and emotional environment, children are encouraged to build close and secure relationships, interact positively with others, solve problems, persist through challenges, and develop confidence in managing conflict. With the guidance of trusted kaiako, they learn to understand, express, and regulate their emotions, while developing positive behaviours for learning. These early social skills help children feel settled, capable, and ready to take the next step in their learning journey.

Children in the new entrant Preparatory School classroom.

Smooth transition to school

Connection with the wider St Andrew’s College community is one of our Pre-school’s unique strengths. We collaborate with the Preparatory School to develop our curriculum, share resources, and implement a range of transition-to-school initiatives. This ensures children are well prepared for the next stage of their education. Numeracy and literacy skills are further enhanced in the Pre-school’s extension room, which is equipped with Montessori resources. For families continuing into the Preparatory School, this connection offers reassurance and continuity. Children begin their learning journey in a nurturing early childhood environment, while also developing a sense of belonging to the wider College community.

Part of the wider campus

As part of the wider St Andrew’s College campus, the Pre-school has access to a range of facilities and learning spaces that enrich children’s experiences beyond the classroom. These include gymnasiums, sports fields, libraries, Ballet and Dance Studios, Science laboratories, Art suites, theatre spaces, and the Centennial Chapel. These connections help children feel part of the wider St Andrew’s College community from the beginning, while giving them opportunities to explore, create, move, and learn in a larger College environment.