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Preschool on a teacher quest
Saturday, August 04, 2012 • Alice Te Puni
PAIKEA Preschool at Whangara needs a qualified teacher or its doors that have been open for almost 20 years will have to close.

Pre-school committee chairwoman Kristin Kirkpatrick said negotiations with the Ministry of Education had extended the centre’s lifeline for three more months.

Extra time to find a qualified early childhood teacher was granted because Mrs Kirkpatrick and Raquel Parsons, another mother at the centre, are qualified primary school teachers but the “clock is ticking” to find a suitable early childhood education teacher.

Paikea Pre-School is located within the grounds of Whangara School, and services children from as far south as Kaiti and north to Tolaga Bay.

There are 16 children enrolled. The pre-school caters for over two year olds.

“We really are quite desperate. The problem is our teacher has left us, and we can’t operate without a registered and qualified ECE teacher.

“We have advertised in the education gazette and with the Gisborne Herald’s situations vacant, but haven’t had any takers for the job,” said Mrs Kirkpatrick.

“Perhaps there is someone out there who could support us for 10 hours a week.”

It took three years to replace its last teacher.

“The preschool is community- focused.

“Sophie Land, nee Reeves, who was one of the girls who cut the ribbon to open the preschool as a four-year-old, is now sending her children here.

“The kids are all outdoor active children. We have trips down to the marae, beach, and farm trips and other great adventures.”

A mini-Olympics was held at the preschool with the children competing in a number of fun events including toetoe javelin, which then turned into toe toe equestrian, egg and spoon races and an obstacle race.

Sparkling gold medals were won by all the children and, despite it being a rainy day, their happy faces were all sunshine.

For further inquiries phone 862 2807 or e-mail paikeapreschool@hotmail.co.nz
LITTLE WINNERS: Going for gold at the Paikea Pre-School mini-Olympics this week are (from left) champion kids Ryan Love, Bella Lincoln, Tessa Newman, Kohe Parsons, Angus Thomas and Zara Kirkpatrick. Picture by Paul Rickard
Toe toe horse races were one of many events at the Paikea Pre-School mini-Olympics. Picture by Paul Rickard
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