90 McFaddens Road, St Albans, Christchurch 8014
Our building and outdoor areas were designed after a lengthy research process, our teaching philosophies incorporate aspects of Montessori and other teaching practices as well. Timber and other natural materials and furnishings have been used throughout the building.
The combination of warm and earthy colours creates a cosy, home-like atmosphere, making the children in our centre feel secure and comfortable. Our home-like environment means that children do not eat, sleep, learn and play all in the same room: we have separate sleep rooms for all ages of children, a dining room, art annex and multi-purpose room for physical games, drama and dance. Under floor heating is installed throughout the building to ensure a comfortable, healthy temperature at all times.
Minerva House is a preschool that values the uniqueness of each child as both a gift and an opportunity. We create learning environments that are respectful of the child as he/she makes meaning of the world in which we live. Our teachers relate to each child with warmth and acceptance.
The Minerva House early childhood curriculum is inspired by internationally accepted and celebrated best teaching practice from around the world, such as Montessori and Te Whariki, New Zealand’s early childhood curriculum document.
The curriculum focuses on inquiry based learning. The natural curiosity of young children is stimulated as they take an active role in the education process by exploring their environment to make inquiries and discoveries. Skilled teachers can guide this process in a way that supports the children’s own ideas and extends learning. Global concepts are explored through units of inquiry, or ‘big ideas’ which are developmentally appropriate, significant, challenging and engaging for the children. Daily activities are integrated into these units to make them more meaningful.
Each child has a primary caregiver or key teacher to take a particular interest in the development, learning and wellbeing of each child. The needs of each child are identified through observation and documentation of their interests, development, progress and parent input. Through this deeper knowledge, key teachers carefully plan small group learning experiences to meet the individual learning needs and goals of each child in the group. Key teacher group times also allow teachers to work on a one on one basis with each child at different times. The learning and development of each child is carefully recorded in a growing document about the child, these profile books will become meaningful and valuable records of each child’s early childhood experience at Minerva House.
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