About Us
Over 50 years of early childhood education in Remuera
Children thrive at Uplands Kindergarten, developing confidence, a passion for discovery and skills that set them up for a lifetime of learning. Owned and operated by Somervell Presbyterian Church, our kindergarten reflects Christian values and respect.
At Uplands Kindergarten, children learn skills to extend their development physically, socially, emotionally and intellectually. Learning takes place in all areas of the kindy, both inside and outside. We have been a trusted part of the local Remuera community for more than 50 years, and we are excited about what is yet to come.
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Faith
Our Christian identity is woven into our daily routines and provides a model of how we interact with our families and with each other at Uplands.
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Learning
Uplands children are inspired by their own learning power, having fun while developing skills in co-operative problem solving, independent reasoning and reflection.
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Life
Children at Uplands develop a range of skills and experience that connect them to the wider world, through community outreach, field trips and special learning opportunities.
Meet our team
At Uplands we have some of the best early childhood education teachers and supporting staff around, and each brings something special to their work here.
Nicola
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Bachelor of Education (ECE)
Kia ora,
I have been teaching for 11 years and am a mum of 3 children. I have previously worked as a head teacher for the Auckland Kindergarten Association and at Ministry of Education as a Senior Education Advisor for early learning. I am passionate about early childhood education and believe that play is the most valuable tool for learning.
I believe in building respectful, trusting relationships with children & their whanau and enjoy working collaboratively to achieve the best outcomes for your tamariki. Children who have a strong sense of belonging will feel safe & confident to explore and learn.
Children are naturally curious, so I love utilising the environment as the third teacher to create inviting, thought provoking spaces that inspire wonder and learning.
I look forward to working with your whanau!
“Stand aside for a while & leave room for learning, observe carefully what children do, and then if you have understood well perhaps teaching will be different from before.”
Louis Malaguzzi
Jenn
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Bachelor of Teaching in ECE
I have worked in pre-school and early childhood for over 18 years. I enjoy working alongside children and supporting their own interests to extend their learning. I especially enjoy doing art and messy activities with children to extend their creativity. One of the best things about Uplands is the way both children and parents form genuine relationships with us — we are more than educators, we are friends and role models. I am excited to have the opportunity to work with your child.
Huiping
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Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
I have lived in Aotearoa New Zealand since 2000. I became a qualified early childhood teacher in 2008. I am a firm believer that children learn through play. Although my four children are young adults now, my passion for the early years and early childhood education remains the same. It is my absolute privilege to journey along with you and your child in his/her first years which set the foundation for life. As a fluent speaker of Mandarin and a little bit of Cantonese, I support our Chinese families to connect with the wider community of Uplands.
Karyn
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Bachelor of Teaching
I assist the teaching team at Uplands Kindergarten as a reliever. I initially trained as a Primary School teacher and thoroughly enjoyed the shift to early childhood education as I watched my two children learn and grow when they attended kindergarten many years ago.
Tsana
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I have been employed by Somervell Presbyterian Church as Church Administrator since February 2015, and began doing administration work and emergency teacher relief cover for Uplands soon after that. I am on the Uplands Committee, having previously been on the Board of Trustees at the school my sons attended. Prior to working at Somervell, I worked in Human Resources within the local District Health Boards. I am married to Eric, and we have two teenage sons, Karl and Robin, as well as 4 chickens, who sometimes lay eggs!
Grace
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I started at Somervell Church in January 2023 after many happy years attending Somervell Playgroup with my son. I work alongside Tsana in the church office.
I often assist with covering the lunch break at Uplands Kindergarten. I very much enjoy the children's company during this social time where there is always opportunity for conversations in English and Mandarin.
There is always time after lunch to engage in quality interactions in areas of play, such as the puzzle table which is my favourite.
I am a mother of two children who attend Meadowbank School.
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“We highly recommend Uplands Kindy. The teaching staff are without doubt the best that you will find. They go above and beyond to get to know each and every child, their unique interests and personalities. Our son has thrived under their care.”
SARAH
Learning at Uplands
Find out more about our curriculum here.
Our Community
All of our children enjoy interacting with our wider community in a number of ways.
Each year kindergarten children and families are invited to join the congregation in a special service at Somervell Presbyterian Church. During this service some of the kindergarten is taken into the church - play dough, puzzles, books, Mobilo. Children and teachers sing their favourite songs and we all share morning tea together.
Christmas is a special celebration for Uplands. We invite all our families to watch our older children act out the Nativity play in Somervell Church, then all the children come together to sing a selection of Christmas songs.
Twice a year, the children invite their family to a night at Uplands Kindergarten. We have a shared dinner, the children show their parents their favourite things at kindy, and then perform a short concert.
Education outside the classroom
Every year in Spring, we book a private bus to visit Ambury Farm. The rangers meet us and we tour the farm. We watch the milking of cows (up close), see the pigs, turkey, Clydesdale horses, sit and hand feed the chickens. Just before we leave, each child gets to feed a hungry lamb a bottle of milk.
This trip has the most parent helpers and everyone comes home tired and happy.
Our History
Uplands Kindergarten was formed in 1970 when two busy mums, Ngaire Lee and Robyn Florence, found themselves looking after a growing group of neighbourhood children in their back gardens. They moved into three rooms at the rear of the old Somervell Presbyterian Church building in 1976.
Now Uplands is housed in a bright and airy purpose-built facility with great indoor/outdoor flow and a large outdoor area to accommodate our 2 – 6 year age group. A management committee draws on talents available in the church congregation as well as parent representatives. Through all the changes that the kindergarten has undergone in 50 years, the same care, love and practicality that went into forming Uplands all those years ago remains today.
Pop in for a visit
We welcome visitors to Uplands Kindergarten — feel free to drop into our kindergarten during opening hours or get in touch using the form below.
OPENING HOURS
Monday to Friday 8:30am – 3:30pm
