Carole Gielingh took us on a trip down memory lane, reflecting on the rich history and growth of our preschool.
Opening on September 10th 1984, Phoenix Preschool was one of the earliest childcare centres to be established in the South Island. We began as a small creche created to support the children of Ashburton College teachers. Our founding teaching team – Jocelyn, Patricia, Cynthia, and soon after, Carole – helped lay the foundations for the warm, nurturing environment we continue to value today.
What started as a simple space with one room and bathroom quickly grew into a thriving mixed-age preschool inviting children outside of the college whānau.
As our community continued to grow, we expanded further to include a dedicated space for our under two’s, allowing us to better support each stage of early learning development. We continued to grow from there, further expanding our outdoor environment and our licensed spaces.
Fast forward to 2022, we proudly opened our purpose-built centre, thoughtfully designed to inspire learning, connection, and belonging for children and whānau alike. While much has changed over the years, our heart remains the same – creating a place where children feel safe, supported, and excited to learn.
