A Vision Rooted in Purpose
My name is Fathima Ashiqua, and together with my husband, Hafeez Nizham, I took over Little Village Preschool with a clear and purposeful vision: to strengthen quality, continuity, and outcomes for every child and family in our community.
My journey in education began in 2004, and over the past two decades I have had the privilege of teaching across the Middle East (Saudi Arabia and Dubai) and New Zealand, working in early childhood and primary education. I am a registered teacher and have also held leadership roles as a team leader and section head. These experiences have shaped my deep understanding of how children learn, grow, and transition through different stages of their educational journey.
I came to New Zealand to pursue my master's in education and was drawn to the country's inclusive values and strong commitment to child-centred education. My teaching practice is guided by Te Whāriki, alongside educational approaches such as Montessori principles and Lev Vygotsky's emphasis on learning through relationships and social interaction.
Having worked closely within primary education, I clearly identified a gap in how children are supported during the transition from early learning into school. Understanding what primary teachers are looking for, I have strengthened a purposeful transition-to-school programme that supports children to become confident, independent, and self-regulated learners, both academically and socially.
The decision to take over Little Village Preschool was grounded in a genuine desire to serve our community.