As New Shoots Matakana gets ready to open its doors, we caught up with Centre Director Hailey Nasmith to learn more about her passion for early childhood education. From favourite children’s books and rainy-day activities to her vision for Matakana, Hailey shares what inspires her and what families can expect from the centre.
What is your all time favourite children’s book?
I’m a big fan of the classics, and my all-time favourite would have to be The Tale of Peter Rabbit. I loved following Peter’s adventures as a child, and I still love how timeless the stories feel.
The characters are cheeky, adventurous, curious and relatable, with just the right amount of suspense. There’s always that moment when you’re wondering, “Is Peter going to get caught by Mr McGregor?”
I also love how easily these stories can come to life beyond the pages of the book. Children can recreate the adventures through small-world play, puppets, storytelling, dramatic play and even creating their own versions of the characters and stories. It’s a wonderful example of how a great story can become a springboard for so much learning, imagination and creativity.
What is your favourite type of play?
I love supporting tamariki to explore science, discovery and experimentation. Whether they’re planting seeds, hunting for insects, collecting rocks or exploring floating and sinking, there are endless opportunities to investigate how the world works.
What I enjoy most is hearing the theories and questions children develop along the way. Rather than simply giving them the answer, we can encourage them to wonder, predict, test and revisit their ideas. Those moments of“I wonder what will happen if…” can lead to some of the most meaningful learning.
Tell us your story about how you got into the early learning sector?
I have always loved learning. As a child, I was the self-appointed “teacher’s helper” and regularly convinced my friends to play schools with me, so perhaps I was always destined to find my way into education.
Towards the end of high school, I began volunteering at the kindergarten next door to my home. That experience cemented my decision to pursue early childhood education, and I began my teaching qualification straight after school.
Around 18 years later, I’ve been fortunate to teach and lead in a variety of early learning services and take part in study tours in Australia and Italy. Becoming a mum has also deepened my understanding of just how precious and important the early years are.
What is one thing that parents could do to encourage children learning at home?
Some of the richest learning opportunities are already woven into everyday family life. Talking about the day ahead, preparing breakfast together, measuring ingredients, gardening or setting the table can help children build language, numeracy, problem-solving, independence and confidence.
The key is not to feel you need to create hours of dedicated learning time. Look for little moments throughout the day to slow down, talk, listen and connect. Sometimes the most valuable thing we can give children is simply our time and attention, including sharing a book together before bed.
What is your favourite rainy day activity for under 5s?
While it’s not necessarily my favourite rainy-day activity, carpentry is definitely a go-to in our household! With two boys aged one-and-a-half and four, they love getting involved with “real” tools, so experimenting with hammers, nails and wood offcuts in the garage is always a hit.
With safe support, children develop coordination, concentration, problem-solving and perseverance, along with the satisfaction of saying,“I made this myself.”
Cooking and baking together is another favourite. From choosing a recipe and shopping for ingredients to preparing the food, it becomes a complete learning experience. It doesn’t need to be complicated. What matters is giving children genuine opportunities to take part in real-life experiences.
What makes New Shoots Matakana stand out from the very beginning?
The connection between the indoor and outdoor environments is something truly special. Natural textures, earthy tones, wooden furniture and greenery create a warm, calm and inviting space, while the large indoor terrarium brings nature into the heart of the centre.
The centre is spacious and light-filled, yet still feels cosy and homely. It has been thoughtfully designed for children to touch, investigate, create, get messy and make the space their own.
Every detail reflects Matakana’s unique character and semi-rural setting, creating an environment where children can feel a strong sense of belonging while exploring and learning at their own pace.
What does intentional teaching look like in the early stages of opening a centre?
As we prepare to welcome our first families, our focus will be on relationships and belonging. Intentional teaching begins with genuinely getting to know each child, including their interests, strengths, culture, language, family values and what makes them unique. We can then create meaningful learning opportunities based on what they already know and are curious about.
Whānau will be active partners in shaping a curriculum that reflects their aspirations, cultures and traditions, as well as the people, places, stories and natural environment of Matakana.
We’re fortunate to have an experienced teaching team, many of whom have worked together before. There is a real sense of excitement about building our centre culture and curriculum alongside children and families from the very beginning.
With the centre opening just around the corner, what can whānau expect at the Open Day?
We’re excited to welcome whānau through the doors to experience New Shoots Matakana for themselves. Families can tour our learning spaces, explore the new playground and enjoy activities including face painting, bubbles and music, along with coffee, food and treats.
Our teaching team will be there to meet families, answer questions and share more about the centre. Most importantly, we want the day to feel like a celebration and an opportunity for our community to come together at the beginning of this new chapter.
Come along to our open day this coming Saturday 5th September, from 10am – 2pm – we’d love to welcome you and your family.
Read more about New Shoots Children’s Centre Matakana here
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