New Zealand is a small country situated in the South Pacific. It lies some 1,300 kilometres east of Australia between 37 and 47 degrees south. It has a current population of 4, 117,003, some 80% of which are European, 14% Maori, and 4% Pacifica . The country is made up of two main islands, the North Island and the South Island . It's people are renowned for their inventiveness; Lord Rutherford was the first to split the atom in 1917; their love of adventure, Sir Edmond Hillary was the first man to climb Mount Everest in 1953; and their love of sport, the New Zealand cricket team creating a world record one day cricket score of 332 runs in their recent victory against the world champions Australia. It is in the South Auckland suburb of Otara, in the northern part of the North Island, that the Sathya Sai Preschool – Rongomai is situated and is rapidly being identified as a premier provider of high quality early childhood education, with many training providers sending their children to the preschool for their practicum. The population of Otara is made up of approximately 73% Pacifica people, 20% Maori (the indigenous people of the country), and 6% European. The Preschool had it origins in an ‘Education in Human Values Programme' that commenced at Rongomai Primary School in 1991. It was conducted once a week by volunteers from the Sathya Sai Service Organisation. Children from the school referred to these volunteers as their ‘good fairies' and would greet them at the gate. The programme was so successful that the school invited the group to start a preschool. This commenced in 1999 as a playgroup and was later granted a full license to operate as a preschool in 2001. It operates autonomously under the umbrella of the Institute of Sathya Sai Education , and is situated within the primary school grounds. It has its own building, board of management, and equipment. Since opening, the building has been extended to provide two large classrooms, a whanau (family) room, an office, a large well equipped play area, which is important for tactile and cooperation skills, and inside equipment that provides some of the best that is available. The school is licensed to cater for 40 children at any one time. As the school is sessional (morning and afternoon) some children attend half days and some full days. The total role ranges between 50 and 54 pupils. The New Zealand Early Childhood education requirement is one teacher to ten children, to ensure that we have this available at all times we employ four qualified teachers and some part timers. All the qualified teachers hold New Zealand Early Childhood qualifications and are given on site Educare training by our Teaching Principal, Mrs Jeanie Peel. The children respond readily to the love and value based Educare method of delivery, which brings out the inherent values in the children. Those visiting the school comment on the underlying atmosphere of love, which permeates the teaching provided. There are many examples of children who enter the school with negative behaviour traits, which are quickly remedied. The children in the classes have developed a culture of care and consideration, which emulates the role modelling of the teachers. Bad behaviour just does not resonate with this culture and new children quickly adjust to the behaviour of their peers. Children of preschool age are very open and receptive to goodness when presented with it, making this an ideal age to establish value based thinking which forms a sound foundation for life.

The Preschool comes under the Ministry of Education, which governs all public education in our country. As such we follow the National Early Childhood Curriculum, ‘Te Whariki'. Te Whariki is the Ministry of Education's early childhood curriculum policy statement. It is a framework for providing for tamariki/children's early learning and development within a socio-cultural context. It emphasises the learning partnership between kaiako/teachers, parents, and whanau/families. Kaiako/teachers weave a holistic curriculum in response to tamariki/children's learning and development in the early childhood setting and the wider context of the child's world. This framework provides an excellent vehicle for our teachers to teach human values through our Educare method. The Ministry of Education regularly surveys all schools through its Education Review Office (ERO). ERO reviews schools and early childhood education services every three years, and publishes national reports on current education practice . Here are some excerpts from the ERO report on the Sathya Sai Preschool – Rongomai: The staff demonstrate a clear commitment to the Sathya Sai education philosophy. Teachers are expected to ensure that the five universal human values underpin the teaching programme. They skilfully weave Te Whariki, the New Zealand early childhood programme, into the Sathya Sai Educare programme to provide children with high care and learning. Children at the centre are happy and settled. Staff provided an organised and interesting learning environment. Children have access to suitable and stimulating resources that engage them in a wide range of play and learning activities. They are able to select activities and take responsibility for the own learning choices. Interaction with the staff and the children are positive and affirming. Staff recognise the learning needs of Pacific and Maori children by providing a rich range of material to stimulate visual, tactile and co-operative learning styles. Communication and partnership with parents is clearly evident and parents express a high degree of satisfaction with the service. The teaching principal has a constructive and collaborative style of leadership. The commitment to having well trained staff has contributed to the high quality of education and care. Staff has a clear cycle of planning, assessment and evaluation. The learning programme is well planned. Staff plan collaboratively and skilfully integrate Sathya Sai values with the early childhood programme and Te Whariki. The need for teaching human values has been recognised by the New Zealand Government and will be compulsory from 2006. We like to think that the outstanding example of the Sathya Sai Preschool has had some influence in this decision. Jeannie Peel and her team with the children of Sathya Sai Rongomai Pre-School. Back to home page