Welcome back to a brand new year at Sugartree Lane Preschool!
There is something special about the first weeks of the year. Backpacks feel lighter, routines gently return, and your tamariki walk through the door a little taller than they did in December. A new year gives everyone the chance to take a deep breath and begin again, and we are so happy to be starting it with you.
This year is all about curiosity, confidence, and joy. The kind that shows up in paint splatters, full tummies, and proud smiles when a new song is finally learned.
New flavours, happy kai times
We are excited to welcome our new chef, Angela, to Sugartree Lane. From the very first morning, you will notice the difference at mealtimes. Delicious smells drifting through the rooms, plates that come back scraped clean, and children talking about lunch all the way home.
You will also see Angela spending time with the children, talking about what is on their plates and encouraging even the most cautious eaters to give something new a try. Food becomes more than just fuel. It becomes a shared moment of learning, conversation, and pride. For your child, it builds confidence and curiosity. For you, it means knowing they are developing healthy habits in a way that feels relaxed, joyful, and completely age appropriate.
Angela is bringing fresh ideas, nourishing ingredients, and lots of love into every meal. For you, it means one less thing to think about. For your child, it means feeling cared for, adventurous, and ready to learn with a full and happy belly.
Music Mondays are back!
Jonathan is returning for another year of Music Mondays, and we could not be more thrilled. Each week, your child will sing, move, listen, and laugh as music fills the space.
We’ll be practicing our singing voices, playing rhythm games with various percussion instruments, and we’re adding some marimbas for a bit of Orff Music Education as well.
You might notice them tapping rhythms on the table at dinner, humming a tune in the car, or confidently joining in when a song begins. These moments matter. Music helps tamariki express themselves, build focus, and feel brave enough to try something new. It can also be an important tool to help your young child develop their communication skills and get a head start on primary school.
Our movement classes with Kirrily are in full swing, inspired by Peter and the Wolf. Each week the tamariki explore the story through music and movement, using their bodies to interpret characters, tempo and mood. They stomp like Peter, glide like the bird, and creep like the wolf, building coordination, rhythm and confidence along the way. It’s playful, expressive learning that supports physical development while deepening their connection to storytelling and sound.
A year of classical music adventures
This year we are especially proud to continue our connection with the Auckland Philharmonia and bring even more rich musical experiences into your child’s world. The Philharmonia’s Learn & Participate programme aims to make orchestral music accessible, inspiring and fun for young people right across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland by offering schools and communities live visits, workshops and concert experiences that spark curiosity and confidence in sound and performance. Their school partnerships help tamariki learn about instruments, rhythms and teamwork in ways that go far beyond the classroom and show kids that music is something to explore, enjoy and be proud of in their own voices and ways.
We are honoured to bring guest musicians from the Philharmonia into our centre so your child can see, hear and ask questions about real orchestral instruments up close. These visits lay the foundation for deep listening, creativity and appreciation for music that stays with children as they grow.
We’ve got big plans for 2026 at Sugartree Lane.
More community events that bring our whānau together. More excursions that connect tamariki to the city around them. We’re continuing the We Can Keep Safe programme to strengthen confidence and personal safety skills. And that’s only part of it. Fresh learning projects, new partnerships, and plenty of hands on experiences are already in the pipeline. It’s going to be a full year.
