About Us
Learning impressions, lasting for life.
Our logo was carefully designed to reflect and represent our beliefs.
- Green represents our connection with the ngahere or bush.
- Blue represents wai or water.
- Brown represent the earth or whenua.
All three elements are to be viewed as one - neither can survive without the other. These three elements are central to the learning that children are exposed to at our centre.
The two footprints are positioned in the shape of a heart. It represents our belief that the child is at the heart of everything that we do.
“Learning impressions, lasting for life” is the core belief that the learning and experiences that the children acquire at Footprints Preschool, will benefit them for the rest of their lives.
Footprints Preschool is owned and operated by sisters, Tina Mudgway and Kathryn Cochet. The centre was purpose built in 2009 and has consistently maintained a high standard of care and education for all children.
Tina and Kath
Kia ora
We are the lucky owners of Footprints Preschool, here in Waihi. We purchased the centre from Phil and Pauline Davison in late 2019, and began a fabulous journey with the existing staff. Tina, a qualified Early Childhood Teacher, spent the last ten years working in childcare in Nelson, while Kathryn is a Qualified Primary School Teacher, from Rotorua.
We both truely enjoy working with children watching their growth as they learn about the world around them. From this relationship with the child, we become a part of something bigger, part of each family, and the community around us. Hence we have come to purchase a childcare centre together as sisters, turning our small family into a larger one.
As a team we value the individual child, their needs, and interests. Our desire is for children to come away from preschool with a strong sense of self worth, good self-esteem, confidence in their individuality, and the ability to be independent in their day to day activities. We have excellent support in the kind and caring staff at the centre - You can read more about them below.
We look forward to meeting new families and inviting them to join our community here at Footprints.
Shelly Murch
I have been apart of the early childhood sector/industry for the past 18 years, starting as a nanny then going on to achieve a Bachelor of teaching ECE. I have been a tutor for the Open Polytechnic and mentored a number of teachers over the past 18 years.
My passion is to give children the love of learning, so they are able to achieve their goals and milestones in their own time and space. To care for children like they are my own and give them the respect and love like they would get from their parents. I believe this can be achieved by creating an environment that reflects their own home life and to build respectful, trustworthy relationships with children and families.
Natasha
Kia ora koutou.
My name is Natasha but I am known as Tash. I live in Waihi with my three beautiful children. I qualified with a Diploma in ECE in 2004 from the NZ Tertiary College. I have worked in a variety of centres in Auckland and the Waikato. At the very core of my philosophy and practise is authentic relationships with children. I understand that my role is to nurture and support their growth and development through authentic respectful relationships.
Tyler
I have been working at Footprints for over three years. First as a reliever, and then a full time teacher. I am also keeping busy completing my Postgraduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education. When I see the children with smiles on their faces and achieving success in their play, it brings me huge amounts of satisfaction. I am an energetic and outgoing person and love to be involved in spontaneous learning moments with the children.
Leona Moore
I have been involved in ECE and parent education for the past 13 years and hold a Playcentre level 4 qualification. I have been trained by Pennie Brownlee and Kimberly Crisp to hold respectful parenting courses within the community. The practice of working in partnership with children and parents, through education, is my passion. Currently, I am working towards my Bachelor of Teaching in ECE. I believe in creating a supportive stable environment where children can play out their intelligence to their highest potential.
Kayla Armstrong
I have been working full time at Footprints since early 2019. I enjoy working with the children and building strong relationships with them.
Footprints Preschool Philosophy
Our philosophy is our guide and foundation for everything that we do at Footprints Preschool.
Relationships
Developing a strong relationship with children comes before everything else. There is no time limit and this process cannot be rushed. We work in partnership with families to ensure that all children are given the best possible opportunity to do this and are flexible in our approaches. It is only when a child feels safe and secure and has a trusting relationship that they will start to fully participate in what we offer at Footprints Preschool. Once this trusting relationship has developed then children are able to strengthen their 'people literacy' skills. A child who feels confident to interact and communicate with children and adults, will have the necessary foundations for higher learning.
Emotional well-being
A child who has their emotional needs met is able to branch out and explore and learn. Filling a child’s “emotional cup” develops trust and a strong teacher/child relationship. Doing things “with” children rather than “to them” helps to support this process. This approach is supported by teachers who are unhurried and responsive to the cues and needs of the child. To support this process we believe that children need to attend regularly to ensure they develop strong relationships with both teachers and children.
Play
Play is the highest form of learning for the child. Children will experience long periods of uninterrupted play. Teachers are observers in this important process; only stepping in when required to provide support, guidance or when asked to by the child. Children are free to explore outside in all types of weather.
The environment
Our environment represents a home where we meet the biological needs of our children through natural beauty and sustainable practices. We support imagination and creativity by recognizing the importance of 'play urges' which develops a rich understanding of problem solving, communication, attention, risk and resilience.
Sustainable practices
We see ourselves as the kaitiakitanga of our land. We are mindful of our carbon footprint and take steps to minimise and reduce this while learning collaboratively with the children to promote sustainable practices. Developing children’s knowledge of our wider natural environment through hands on experiences is seen as an essential part of this learning.
Authenticity
At Footprints Preschool we believe in being authentic; both in what we believe in and with what we say and do with our children, families and teachers. Being open and honest is a central component of our team. We are advocates for everyone.
