Pukekohe Preschools - Welcome to our Pukekohe Pre-Schools!

We promote peaceful interactions between all individuals, role modelling responsive techniques and negotiating skills as a basis for the development of genuine relationships.

I thought I'd mention just how amazing the welcome's been that we've had to Prickly Hedgehog Pre-School. I can't belive how easy it has been transitioning Macs from being at home to coming to daycare. The team were so wonderful at making me feel at ease, inviting me and Macs to visit and giving him so much love and attention even prior to starting. I love how he seems so happy and engaged when I pick him up - even though hes been teething, the team have worked their magic and helped him settle in so quickly. I never thought I could feel this comfortable going to work ithout him, but even in such a short time I feel so relaxed and happy that he is in the care of such professional and caring individuals. I also love reading his daily report card - I literally share it with the whole family. Many Thanks.

- L Morris 07/2017

My son has attended Flying Turtles Pre-school after turning four and transitioning from a very happy three years at Prickly Hedgehog Pre-school next door. Jodi and the team at Flying Turtles have always made me feel very welcome, the environment has always been positive and overall presentation of the centre has impressed me.

Aidan is now transitioning to school and has just completed his enrolment at Primary School. Thanks to the support and learning environment of the centre, he has achieved all the necessary skills to be accepted straight into curriculum learning. The feeling of pride in having your child be completely prepared and confident for his next step into the future is priceless. A parent only can wish for the best opportunities for their child – and thanks to Flying Turtles and the amazing educators, I have the benefit of knowing Aidan’s foundation in learning is strong.

I have always felt very comfortable with leaving him with the teachers. I feel he is in an environment that has always been strongly child-lead for discovery and learning, with so much fun and social interaction. Focus has always been on actively encouraging the children to initiate the learning experience and develop it as far as they wish it to go. I have never heard a teacher tell any child there that they have moved on from a specific learning experience – I like that the children are not limited in that way. I also appreciate the work they do with the children to maintain positive relationships with not only the teachers and children at the centre, but also with myself as a parent and other people in general.

The outdoor area is fantastic! There are new activities added regularly and the facilities are great. The indoor area is well set out and there is plenty of opportunity for quiet play/learning. There are always so many options of play available both inside and outside. Aidan can choose what he prefers and a teacher will always gravitate over to him to see how he finds the activity and ask him questions about what he is doing and use it to further his experience.

They regularly go on field trips and I have always felt Aidan was in good hands while out and about. I love that he gets to see and do so many different things. It really builds on the strong level of learning he experiences at the centre.

I love the Educa website. It is so great that technology is so widely used and embraced by the centre. It is my immediate link to Aidan and enables me to provide feedback straight away, plus my parents can also see what their grandson is learning about all the way from Taranaki. I can access his learning stories whenever I want, and add my own which the centre actively uses to incorporate into Aidan’s learning at the centre. The Facebook page is also very welcome as I love seeing photos and stories of Aidan. I think that Flying Turtles is very up to date with forms of communication to parents and that has been beneficial both for Aidan’s development, and for my inclusion in the period of time that Aidan is away from me.

Teachers are very professional and easy to talk to and have always made me feel welcome to discuss any concerns or suggestions. They are very open to a mutual approach for any ideas I have regarding Aidan’s development and have also approached me with their own observations, which has helped me encourage his interests, development and learning at home. I feel a strong partnership with the centre in the upbringing of my son.

I am a strong supporter of Early Childhood Centres, as my mother was an early childhood educator until her retirement a few years ago. I place great importance on Aidan’s pre-school years and would not hesitate to recommend Flying Turtles Pre-School (and associated centres Prickly Hedgehog & Little Pukekos) to anyone looking for a quality early education for their child.

You will forever have my gratitude for everything you have done for us - both Aidan and I will miss all of you.

- H Kerr

My name is Chantel I am Austin's Mum, we started in Little Pukeko's just a month ago. I just want to take this opportunity to thank you and the Ladies from Little Pukeko's so, so much. They have been amazing, Austin has settled in so well and even after only his first day there we could already see that he had picked up a few new things from pre-school. Me and my husband Freddie are so impressed, I was also a pre-school teacher before I had Austin, 3-5 year olds - but boy it is way different when you are looking at things from a parents point of view. I appreciate every little thing they do. Monique is a SUPER STAR and Austin loves her, she always gives me an in depth description of his day at school and that makes me feel so at ease (yes I am one of those Mums, my little boy is my LIFE hehe!) I could write you a novel, but in short thank you, you have made the experience of taking our first child to pre-school the easiest and most memorable experience and we will be forever grateful for it.

Love and Respect

Chantel & Freddie

- Boshoff Family

For the amazing Prickly Team.

I cannot begin to thank you enough for the love and care you have shown to our little Claudia this past year. As a parent all you want is for someone else to value and see the strengths in your child that you also value and on a daily basis I feel so blessed to know that you are working with Claudia's strengths to ensure that she becomes the best little human she can be. The aroha, manakitanga and awhi you give my girl means the world. Personally, I also thank you for the friendship and genuine care you show to me also and the support and guidance while I also learn on this parenting journey! It is true, it takes a village to raise a child and I am so lucky that the staff at Prickly are part of this village.

Love Rochelle, Claudia and Shane xxx

- Keown Family

The service from Flying Turtles Pre-School exceeded my expectations. The staff are caring, the environment is very suitable, and the activities are varied and encourage creativity from the children. I am very satisfied with Beatriz's overall readiness for school. She has shown that she is ready for learning by having better knowledge on basic shapes, colours, and numbers, as well as being more independent. I give Flying Turtles Pre-School the highest rating for preparing my child for school. They have helped her develop confidence in interacting with others and expressing herself, which I think are very important in school. I believe the activities at Flying Turtles are very much aligned with the expectations of my child's school.

- Abecilla Family

We cannot rate the level of care that Flying Turtles Pre-School provides high enough - our only regret is that we didn't enrol our child sooner!

Our child has really blossomed since joining Flying Turtles ie; interest in numbers and letters has significantly increased. And we can see his confidence growing in a lot of areas.

We liked the caring nature and professionalism demonstrated by all the teachers and office ladies. They all seem to genuinely care and have the best interests of the children at heart. Flying Turtles is an amazing educational and fun facility. We also love all the different activities that they organise for the children.

We feel there is no further areas of development required. We are happy with everything!

We would definitely recommend Flying Turtles Pre-School to friends and have done so.

We will miss Flying Turtles very much and wish you all best for future.

- Mrs H

Our daughter attended Little Pukeko's before turning 4 and moving onto Flying Turtles. Her time at Little Pukeko's was wonderful, she was able to visit all three Centre's, and got to to know all the teachers, and most of the children. This made the transition to Flying Turtles when she was 4 a breeze, she already knew the teachers and had visits beforehand to get a really good idea of the transition-to-school centre..

Flying Turtles is a great kick start to what's involved in everyday school life. Mat time is precious and every part is filled with FUN learning time, the sound of the week helps the children with phonics and the work book gets them involved with early hand writing skills. I loved the way the children are taught how to write letters and numbers with the Caterpillar story, something I still use now with my 5 year old.

The Centre allows children to explore almost anything their little minds can think of, from Outer Space to playing mums and dads, building Volcanoes in the sand, to baking!

The real bonus for us was the kind loving, hands on teachers. I never felt guilty for leaving my daughter in fact she wanted to go more!!

I want to thank Flying Turtles for the wonderful job they do, our daughter has settled very well into school life, and i honestly believe it would have been a lot harder without the skills she has been taught.

- The Kervin Family

We couldn't be happier that we chose Prickly Hedgehog for our son and daughter to attend, they have been going for 4 weeks and love it. Both settled in quickly as all the staff are so positive, happy and friendly. We love hearing about all the different activities they have done, it is clear to see the teachers are passionate about what they do.

- Lorraine Horne

I have found Little Pukeko's to be very friendly and accomodating. The staff are always friendly and welcoming, it's a pleasure to hear my daughter speak about her day at the pre-school. She always sounds happy and excited and talks about what she has done that day. The 2014 Christmas show was fantastic and shows how much effort the staff at the centre put in to making this a great place to be, it has a warm family feeling when you walk through the door. The school goes further to provide children with days out and different experiences throughout the week. I appreciate the effort that they have all put into their centre to make it such a great place to go to.

- Simon Hibberd

We couldn't be happier with our choice to send both our kids to Flying Turtles and have recommended it to many. The day is structured with a great balance of time for free play, learning, craft making and some R&R. Our kids have benefited immensely from their time spent there. But what easily stands out the most for us, is all the amazing staff that add to this invaluable experience.

- Kris Titus

Our son Alfie started at Little Pukeko's 6 months ago when he was 19 months old. We are very happy with the centre, the staff are awesome and have a great rapport with the children and parents.

We always know what is going on and what activities our son has been doing during the day. The learning stories we get are fantastic and the trips and little outings locally are really well organised.

Alfie is really happy and we know that he is well looked after and having fun when we are at work. We wouldn't hestitate in recommending the centre.

- James & Clare Harvey-Fitzgerald

I enrolled my son in Prickly Hedgehog Pre-School from the age of 14 months and I never worried about whether or not I have made the right choice in doing so - he has loved every minute! He comes home full of stories and I have found at drop off and pick up, the staff are always very welcoming and friendly. I cannot recommend Prickly Hedgehog Pre-School enough!

Welcome to our Pukekohe Pre-Schools!

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