The Auckland Philharmonia Comes to Sugartree Lane Preschool!
Bringing the Auckland Philharmonia into
Early Childhood Education at
Sugar Tree Lane Preschool
At Sugartree Lane Preschool in Auckland CBD, we believe that music is a powerful and meaningful part of early childhood education. Through our regular Music Monday sessions, our tamariki already experience the joy of live music, but we’re excited to now offer something even more enriching.
We’re proud to be partnering with the Auckland Philharmonia to bring their “Early Years” programme into our centre. This initiative has been thoughtfully designed for young children, combining music, movement, storytelling, and hands-on exploration. The Auckland Philharmonia is our city’s premier orchestra, comprised of musicians from around the world. We feel very fortunate to be partnering with this wonderful organisation!
A Creative Music Programme Grounded in Te Whāriki
Our first session began on Thursday 23 April, led by music educator Zoe Cui.
With the playful theme of “dancing food”, tamariki will explore music through movement and imagination, wiggling like jelly, stretching like bananas, dripping like honey, and bouncing like popcorn.
While this may sound simple (and fun!), it reflects several key strands of Te Whāriki:
Exploration | Mana Aotūroa
Children investigate sound, rhythm, and movement through hands-on discovery and experimentation.Communication | Mana Reo
Music supports language development as children connect movement, sound, and meaning.Wellbeing | Mana Atua
Movement and creative expression allow children to feel confident, capable, and emotionally engaged.Contribution | Mana Tangata
Group music-making fosters turn-taking, collaboration, and shared experiences.
Children will also be introduced to hand percussion instruments, learning how movement can translate into sound, before enjoying time for free exploration alongside their peers and kaiako.
Live Music Experiences with Professional Musicians
Over the following sessions, tamariki had the unique opportunity to engage with live music performed by professional orchestral musicians, something rarely available in early childhood settings:
An autumn-themed session with Melanie Lançon (Principal Flute)
A storytelling and music session with Nick Tisherman (Principal Cor Anglais), bringing the story of the Kauri family to life
A final collaborative session exploring the story of Hine Raukatauri through music and imagination
These experiences deepen children’s understanding of sound, storytelling, and culture, supporting both Mana Reo and Mana Aotūroa in meaningful, memorable ways.
Our tamariki will also get the chance to attend another Auckland Philharmonia Concert at the end of the year, continuing from our successful excursion at the end of 2025. We’re so excited for a new group of children to have the opportunity to hear a full symphony orchestra live!
Supporting Our Teachers, Enriching Your Child’s Experience
To ensure that the benefits of this programme extend well beyond the visiting sessions, our kaiako will also take part in dedicated professional development workshops with Tineke Sutton, an experienced educator and co-founder of Nurture People.
Tineke brings a unique combination of experience across primary, intermediate, and early childhood education, as well as firsthand insight as a former preschool owner. Her approach is practical, inspiring, and grounded in Te Whāriki, with a strong focus on empowering teachers to confidently use music as part of everyday learning.
Through these workshops, our kaiako will explore:
Simple, effective ways to incorporate music into daily routines
Building confidence in singing with children (no matter their prior experience)
Using rhythm, movement, and sound to support language and communication
Creating meaningful group experiences that foster connection and belonging
Extending children’s interests through music-led exploration
For parents, this means your child benefits not just from a series of special visits, but from a teaching team that is continually growing, reflecting, and strengthening their practice.
Music won’t just be something that happens during a scheduled session, it becomes part of the fabric of the day. From spontaneous singing and movement, to using rhythm in transitions, to responding musically to children’s ideas, these experiences will be naturally woven into the curriculum.
This kind of sustained, teacher-led approach strongly supports the goals of Te Whāriki, particularly in developing confidence (Mana Atua), communication (Mana Reo), and a sense of belonging (Mana Whenua).
Ultimately, it ensures that the impact of the programme is lasting, meaningful, and embedded in your child’s everyday experience at preschool—not just something they experience once, but something they carry with them as part of how they learn and express themselves.
Why do we do all this?
For many parents in Auckland (especially those living and working in the CBD) finding a preschool that offers more than just care is important.
This programme reflects what many families are looking for:
Rich, meaningful learning experiences grounded in Te Whāriki
Exposure to the arts from a young age
Confidence-building opportunities through creativity and performance
Connection to the local community, including world-class organisations like the Auckland Philharmonia
A balance of structure and play, where children can explore freely within a guided programme
Most importantly, it’s about giving children joyful, engaging experiences that support their development in a natural and holistic way.
We feel incredibly fortunate to bring this programme to Sugar Tree Lane and to share it with our tamariki and whānau.
If you’re a parent looking for a preschool in Auckland CBD that values creativity, high-quality teaching, and meaningful learning experiences, we’d love to connect with you.
