Learn With Miss O'Malley

A School Readiness Programme that fosters a supportive environment where every child can thrive. Equipping children with the skills and confidence to embrace lifelong learning and to excel academically. Giving your child the head start they need to formal schooling!

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Miss O'Malley

My name is Steph O'Malley and I am a qualified and experienced primary school teacher with over 10 years teaching experience across New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

I know the key to unlocking success in learning is about making lessons meaningful, hands-on, and engaging to the learner. By tailoring my teaching style to the unique needs of each child, I've witnessed firsthand the transformation it brings. My approach not only prepared my own children for school but instilled in them a lifelong love for learning.

In my programme, inclusivity reigns supreme. Every learner, regardless of background or ability, is welcomed into our community. I am dedicated to providing opportunities for all, ensuring every child experiences the joy of success.

Join us in a journey where every child thrives, and no one is left behind. 

Empowering children to become lifelong, confident learners.

Miss O'Malley will prioritise your child’s learning journey by focusing on pre-literacy and numeracy skills, as well as your child's overall development. Her programme aims to instill confidence and foundational knowledge that will extend far beyond the course itself - gifting your child with the power of lifelong learning. By emphasising these crucial skills, she will empower children to navigate their first year of formal education with resilience and confidence, laying a strong foundation for future academic success.

Experience the power of her personalised programme in either our small group sessions or one-on-one lessons. Each child receives the focused support they deserve, ensuring their smooth educational transition from early childhood to formal schooling. 

"I am passionate about what I do and I consider it an honour to stand by you and your child on this transformational journey." - Miss O'Malley


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Why School Readiness?

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Pre-Reading & Writing Skills

Developing pre-reading and writing skills is crucial during early childhood, as they lay the foundation for effective communication and academic success in later years.

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Numeracy

Numeracy skills in early childhood are essential, fostering a strong foundation for logical thinking and problem-solving that supports a child's overall cognitive development.

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Key Competencies

Prioritising the holistic development of the whole child in early childhood education is vital, as it nurtures not only academic proficiency but also emotional, social, and physical well-being, laying the groundwork for lifelong success.

What Will My Child Learn?

Pre-Reading and Writing Skills

- Phonological awareness. Your child will learn the sounds and the letters of the alphabet.

- Onset and rime

- When appropriate, children will begin to decode and blend together simple CVC words. (*This usually happens after a term with us).
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- learn the correct pencil grip.

- Introduction to handwriting and letter formation. *If appropriate, children will be introduced to simple sentence writing for different purposes.

- Learn to write and identify their own name.

- Fine motor skills that support the art of writing.

Course Dates
Numeracy

- Number recognition and counting strategies that reflect the NZ Curriculum.

- One to one counting using a range of materials/games.

- Students will be encouraged to think mathematically in order to solve problems, exposing children to mathematical language and concepts where appropriate

- Simple addition and subtraction questions, taught through a range of games and hands on activities. 

Client Testimonals
Key Competencies

- Adhering to and attentively following instructions.

- Guiding children in handling their emotions and managing themselves as a learner.

- Develop new friendships.

- Turn-taking and sharing.

- Having a can-do attitude.

- Developing self-awareness as a learner and cultivating resilience.

- Interacting with others, engaging in active listening, acknowledging diverse perspectives, and exchanging thoughts.

- Thinking and problem solving skills.

Enrolment Form
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Enrol Your Child Today! Unleash Their Full Potential With Miss O'Malley's School Readiness Programme!

Are you ready to witness your child thrive in their educational journey? Miss O'Malley's School Readiness Programme is designed to equip your little ones with the essential skills and confidence they need to excel in school and beyond. Here's why you can't afford to miss out:

Expert Curriculum: Her comprehensive curriculum is carefully crafted to cover all aspects of school readiness, including cognitive development, social skills, language proficiency, and emotional intelligence.

Interactive Learning: With engaging activities, games, and hands-on experiences, Miss O'Malley will make learning fun and enjoyable for your child. They'll love coming to class and will eagerly soak up new knowledge every session.

Individualised Attention: Miss O'Malley understands that every child is unique, which is why she provides and plans personalised learning experiences for each student. Whether your child needs extra support in certain areas or is ready to be challenged further, she tailors her approach to meet their specific needs.

Parental Involvement: Miss O'Malley believes that parental involvement is crucial for a child's success. That's why she will keep you informed and involved every step of the way. You will receive regular updates on your child's progress and gain insights into how you can support their learning journey at home.

Preparation for Success: Miss O'Malley's ultimate aim is to prepare your child not just for formal schooling, but for lifelong success. She will do this by instilling a love for learning, fostering critical thinking skills, and nurturing their social and emotional development. She will empower your child to thrive in school and beyond.

Don't let your child miss out on the opportunity to start their educational journey on the right foot. Enroll them in Miss O'Malley's School Readiness Class today and watch them soar to new heights!

Enrolment Form

Testimonials

"We are so gutted to be finishing up Vans learning journey with [Miss O'Malley] (and only because he will be starting school after the holidays!). Her school readiness programme has encouraged Vans love of learning even more than we could of imagined. Her passion for encouraging her students learning is so evident, and Van has been so excited to go every Sunday morning. We are feeling so grateful we came across [Miss O'Malley's School Readiness Programme], and would recommend the programme to any parent that has a child starting school soon. We really feel [Miss O'Malley] has given Van a huge head start to school learning, and cant describe how proud of him we are! Thanks so so much [Miss O'Malley]!"

Arna

"We have noticed such a difference with Beau and his learning his daycare teachers have noticed this too. He is starting to recognize letters even when going around the supermarket or looking at a newspaper. I feel like he has turned a corner and is starting to be more excited about heading to school as he is talking about it a lot more. So thank you [Miss O'Malley] for providing such a fun an easy learning experience.

P.s

Was so cute this morning. Indie was helping play the tens Frame and was going over sounds with him too. It was cool to see as obviously she knew what it was all about. So good to know that beau will be having the head start with this way of learning 🙌"

Megan

We have had our 4.5 year old son Van enrolled in [Miss O'Malley's] School Readiness Programme on a Sunday morning for Term 3. Where do I even begin! Van has loved kindy but is so ready for school, and wanting to do more learning that I felt I wasn't qualified for at home.
We wanted to give Van that head start to starting school, and encourage his love of learning even more. Well [Miss O'Malley] has blown us away with her programme, we are so amazed with Vans progress with his literacy and numeracy skills, and we've had a very eager wee dude wanting to do his “homework” every single night.
Words just don't do this programme justice, Van is always so excited to go on a Sunday morning, and as a mum I love seeing him thrive in the amazing environment that [Miss O'Malley] has set up for her little learners! She has the loveliest nature, and it’s obvious how important her students are to her. We are so impressed we have enrolled Van again for Term 4, and would recommend [Miss O'Malley] in a heartbeat to any parents looking to build on their wee ones learning!

Arna

"Hi [Miss O'Malley], hope you had a good evening! Thank you again for having [my daughter]. She had so much fun, I think she thought it was the most fun out of her day... from what I could hear it sounded like she was enjoying it and participating well for you. So far I'm impressed that she is willing to engage with you for the full time. You obviously have a wonderful way with children and keep them focused or pivot when things are getting tiresome."

Anonymous

"Luca was very reluctant to pick up a pencil or engage with any learning to prep him for school. This changed very quickly once he started with [Miss O'Malley's School Readiness Class]. He now confidently writes his own name, knows most of his letters and sounds and relates his new knowledge to the words that he sees in everyday life. We recommend [Miss O'Malley] to anyone with a little person getting ready to start their schooling journey!"

Rach

"Isla is really enjoying her time [in Miss O'Malley's School Readiness Class]. She asks us each day when she will be going back and is always eager to do her homework straight away when she gets home each week. We have noticed Isla now has the ability to sound out letters with ease and confidence and has hugely improved her pencil grip when writing and colouring in."

Kayleigh

"So fantastic to see a programme designed to prepare children for school. My 3 year old is so eager to learn and like many parents I don't have any training in education. I didn't even know there was a proper way to hold a pen until I saw the [Miss O'Malley's] website. I love that there will be an online option for those outside of Dunedin so location doesn't become a limitation."

Monique

Class Dates for 2024

Term 4 - 2024

Please note that dates are subject to change, and class sizes are limited.

Sunday - Full
Time: 9.30AM - 10.30AM
9 Week Course
22 September - 1st December *No Class 13th and 20th of October)

Monday
Monday classes return in 2025

Term 1 - 2025

Please note that dates are subject to change, and class sizes are limited

Sunday - Full
Time: 9.30AM - 10.30AM
9 Week Course
26 January - 23 March
Class Full


Monday - 4 Spaces Available
Time: 9.30AM - 10.30AM
9 Week Course
3 February - 31 March
Class Full


Term 2 - 2025

Please note that dates are subject to change, and class sizes are limited

Sunday 
Time: 9.30AM - 10.30AM
9 Week Course
Dates tbc


Monday
Time: 9.30AM - 10.30AM
9 Week Course
Dates tbc

Term 3 - 2025

Please note that dates are subject to change, and class sizes are limited

Sunday
Time: 9.30AM - 10.30AM
9 Week Course
Dates tbc


Monday
Time: 9.30AM - 10.30AM
9 Week Course
Dates tbc

Term 4 - 2025

Please note that dates are subject to change, and class sizes are limited

Sunday
Time: 9.30AM - 10.30AM
9 Week Course
Dates tbc


Monday
Time: 9.30AM - 10.30AM
9 Week Course
Dates tbc

Ready To Invest In Your Child's Education?
The Investment:

$495 Full Term

Payment to be made in full prior to lessons commencing or pay in two installments. *If you require an additional payment method, please let me know.


Can't make the full term?

If you are unable to make some of the dates, please let me know at the time of your booking and your course costs will be adjusted accordingly. 


Enrol Today!
Miss O'Malley's
School Readiness Class

*Class numbers are limited

Location: Dunedin, NZ
*Class sizes are limited

  • Inclusive environment for all learners.
  • Taught by a Qualified and Current New Zealand Primary Teacher
  • Enhance pre-reading and writing skills using a Structured Literacy Approach
  • Numeracy skills that reflect the NZ Curriculum
  • Whole Child Development
  • Hands on activities
  • Engaging lessons tailored to suit the individual needs of our learners. 
  • Smooth Transition to Formal Schooling
  • Small Class Numbers, allows for one-on-one teacher time. 
  • Take home activities to reinforce concepts covered during class time + access to online lessons.
  • Weekly newsletters providing parents with updates on our recent learning activities, explanations of our educational practices, and insights into our next learning steps and what parents can do at home to support learning further. 

Got Questions?

For optimal results, it would be beneficial for children to extend their attendance beyond a single term, ensuring they have ample time to confidently comprehend and master new concepts. 

We like to keep classes small, taking a maximum number of 4 children per group. Our smaller class sizes allow us to focus on each of our learners needs individually, as well as having whole group learning opportunities. 

A weekly newsletter will be sent to each parent/guardian, providing insights into the week's learning and the next steps in the learning journey. Your child's progress will also be evident in the new skills that they demonstrate. 

Tailored lessons will cater to the unique needs of individuals and small groups, capitalizing on our commitment to maintaining small class sizes for enhanced one-on-one learning. Our hands-on, interactive, and enjoyable activities will be complemented by a weekly take-home learning pack, focusing on either literacy or numeracy, as well as free access to our online learning programme. 

We take a structured literacy approach to pre-literacy skills, using a phonics programme by Yolanda Soryl Literacy. Other lessons are based off the NZ Curriculum and the needs of each individual learner. 

Each child progresses at their own pace. Forcing a child to read before they are ready or before they obtain the foundation skills that are needed for reading could be detrimental to the child's learning journey. Miss O'Malley's focus is to lay down those foundation skills of letter recognition and sounds before teaching a child to read. She will teach this through a structured literacy approach. 

Parents are welcome to stay in the house during lesson times, however you must be out of the classroom. This is to encourage independent learners. Giving children the space to practice the key competency skills of managing self, following instructions, relating to others and being a critical thinker.

You are welcome to enter the classroom at the start and end of each session.

Please arrive promptly to ensure that your child doesn't miss any part of the lesson. We will start and finish on time. We also ask you to leave promptly so that we are able to re-set the classroom for our next classes.

Our classroom is setup in the comfort of a warm, dry home in the middle of our open plan living area. We have two sliding doors that open out to a patio and lawn area which children will be able to use for various activities outside the classroom. Through these sliding doors you will be able to see the surrounding farm area and hills. Sun shining through on a gorgeous Dunedin day will warm the classroom and provide us with lots of natural light.

​The waiting area for parents is in our second lounge that is right beside the classroom, which is shut off with two doors with glass panels. You will be able to see and hear the children throughout the lesson, however we encourage you to sit down and relax. Children need to feel independent in the classroom and you can help this by not sitting in on lessons, leaving the classroom to the waiting area promptly in order for lessons to begin on time. 

For this reason we are offering a x1 Free Trial Session (please email to book your spot). However, we know your child will enjoy the classes as Miss O'Malley's students are so eager to return to the classroom, they often ask their parents if they can return the next day!

If you book for a full term we strongly encourage you to try our sessions for at least 3 weeks, giving it a go, as it can take some children a few sessions to truly feel comfortable in their learning environment. If your child was really unhappy in the programme after 3 weeks, then we will refund the remaining classes of the Term.

What happens if my child is sick?
Unfortunately we do not have the capacity to be able to provide your child with catch up sessions and we are unable to provide you with a refund for missed classes due to any reason. This is due to time and resources already spent in creating and planning for your child's learning needs. If your circumstances are exceptional then of course we will do our best to accommodate. 

What happens if the classroom teacher is sick?
If the classroom Teacher is sick, then we will make up those sessions at a later date (if possible) or offer a refund of the classes that were cancelled or a credit for the following term. 

No. The learning at Kindergarten and Early Childhood is extremely important to your child's development. Learning through play is important!

Our programme is about bridging the gap between early childhood education and formal schooling. Providing your child with the foundations of literacy and numeracy, so that when they enter formal schooling they have that head start to their learning. 

A school readiness programme serves as a crucial foundation, preparing children with essential skills and confidence before entering formal education. It empowers children with their ability to thrive academically and socially as they embark on a new journey of life. 

It also equips parents/caregivers to support their child's learning journey. It offers an opportunity to ask questions and assist in preparing your child for formal schooling. It alleviates concerns for not only our young learners but also our parents/caregivers. 

For privacy reasons our full address and directions to our home will be given at the time of payment. However to give you an idea on location we are located in Bradford, Dunedin (New Zealand). 

According to Google we are a 10 minute drive to the Octagon.

Miss O'Malley

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