Facilities
Purpose-designed spaces, extensive outdoor areas and access to the wider Marsden campus support learning, play and discovery.
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Inspiring young minds
Purposeful learning for a confident start to school.
Marsden Preschool gives children the best of both worlds: a warm, nurturing early childhood environment, with the learning opportunities, specialist teachers and connections that come from being part of a wider school.
Nestled within the beautiful grounds of Samuel Marsden Collegiate School, our co-educational Preschool welcomes girls and boys aged 3–5 into a highly personalised learning environment where curiosity and a genuine love of learning are encouraged.
Through a thoughtful balance of play, purposeful learning and meaningful relationships, children build strong foundations for the exciting step to school.
Flexibility for families
From Monday 12 October 2026, Marsden Preschool will be open 7.30am–5.30pm, Monday to Friday, and will operate for 50 weeks of the year, including during school holiday periods.
Families can choose a regular combination of:
Preschool Day
7.30am–3.30pm
Extended Day
7.30am–5.30pm
With a minimum enrolment of 20 hours per week, families can combine Preschool Days and Extended Days in a way that works for them.
Find out more about hours and attendance
Join us for our Preschool Open Morning
Thursday 24 September, 9.30am–11.00am.
Bring your child along to play and explore, meet our Preschool teachers, enjoy some singing and music, and share morning tea.
A place to play, discover, learn and grow
Young children learn best when they feel known, secure and inspired.
At Marsden Preschool, tamariki are encouraged to follow their curiosity, develop independence, develop independence, and build strong foundations for future learning.
Strong foundations
Early literacy, language and mathematical thinking are woven naturally through the Preschool day, helping children develop important early skills in engaging, age-appropriate ways.
Creativity and curiosity
Inquiry, imaginative play, STEM, art, movement, outdoor exploration and Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) encourage children to wonder, experiment and develop their own ideas.
Specialist-led learning
Preschool tamariki learn with dedicated specialist teachers in areas including Music, Te Reo Māori and Physical Education, adding breadth and richness to their learning.
Part of the wider Marsden experience
Being part of Marsden gives our youngest learners opportunities that extend well beyond the Preschool environment, including:
- Mahitahi, our weekly collaborative programme with Year 1
- buddy reading with Year 5 students
- swimming lessons
- school cross country and athletics
- participation in wider school events and activities.
Together, these experiences help children build relationships and a strong sense of belonging. For girls continuing into Marsden Primary, they also make the move to school especially familiar.
A confident start to school
Marsden Preschool supports every child to approach school with confidence, independence and a positive sense of themselves as a learner.
For girls continuing into Marsden Primary, the transition is especially seamless. Through our transition programme, Te Whakawhitinga, children build familiarity with their future teachers, classrooms and routines, helping the move into Year 1 feel natural and reassuring.
For boys, the same focus on confidence, independence and school readiness supports a positive transition to their next school.
Our daughter absolutely loves her time at Marsden Preschool. The teachers have created a warm, nurturing environment where she has plenty of freedom to play, alongside the structure that helps her feel ready for school.
It’s been wonderful to watch her confidence and independence grow. We also love how connected Preschool is to the wider school, giving children the chance to build relationships with older students — and, for girls continuing at Marsden, plenty of familiar faces waiting for them.
The Leckie Family 2026
Come and experience Marsden Preschool
See for yourself how Marsden Preschool combines purposeful learning, strong relationships and the opportunities of the wider school environment.
Join us for our Preschool Open Morning on Thursday 24 September, 9.30am–11.00am.
Bring your child along to explore the Preschool, meet our teachers, enjoy some singing and music, and share morning tea together.
