39 Main North Road, Redwood, Christchurch 8051
Welcome to Redwood Early Childhood Centre, we are a well established preschool and nursery and have been a part of the community since the 1970’s.
Our environment is:
We consider ourselves to be very lucky to be situated amongst many great facilities, including the park, tennis courts and library, all of which we try to incorporate regular visits to. These visits are made achievable and more regular with the support of parents/caregivers.
OUR PROGRAMME
Kaiako (in partnership with tamariki and their whānau) plan and offer experiences following a tamaiti directed learning approach.
Individual and group learning experiences occur regularly throughout the daily programme. Routines (particularly in the nursery) are considered very valuable and play an important role within the daily programme also.
Various displays around the centre share information on valuable learning.
Curriculum experiences offered to all children reflect the principles, strands and goals of Te Whariki – the early childhood curriculum. Management and kaiako have a commitment to inclusive practice and all tamariki and whānau are welcomed and supported at the centre. The centre encourages an awareness and appreciation of the bi-cultural heritage of our country and supports the use of Te Reo Maori as a living language. We acknowledge the principle of partnership, participation and protection inherent in Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Physical movement and experiences are a core part of our daily programme.
“Moving is an essential part of a child’s day and has direct benefits helping children establish foundation skills for learning” (Gill Connell).
For example many experiences such as messy play and climbing, help to develop and strengthen children’s fine motor development required for holding pencils and writing.
Each tamaiti has their own learning journey book, which incorporates significant interests, events and learning. Whānau are encouraged to contribute to these books also, sharing and documenting relevant and special experiences and information. Together we can make the preschool years a valuable and memorable time of their lives. The documentation within the learning journey books will reflect this.
OUR NURSERY
Primary care giving is fostered in the nursery environment, this support infants and toddlers.
“to develop a sense of their own identity and the strong sense of self-worth necessary for them to become confident in relationships and as learners, infants must experience physical and emotional security with at least one other person within each setting”. (Te whariki)
Providing primary care does not mean that that each child is involved ‘exclusively’ with one teacher but that at least one teacher will take primary responsibility to build reciprocal relationships with that child and tune into and respond to their needs in partnership. The aim is that each child develops a secure attachment relationship with a least one teacher whom they of all children
We work in partnership with families to ensure flexible routines based around the needs of individual children are the core of our programme.
OUR PRESCHOOL
This area is licensed for a maximum of 30 tamariki with 4 kaiako plus a teacher support person who is extra during kai times etc.
Rolling kai is offered in the preschool within set times. By keeping the group size small during these times, an intimate social setting is created. Rolling kai means that when children are busily engaged in an experience they are not interrupted straight away but have an opportunity to be more independent.
“Play is the work of the child.” – Maria Montessori
Respectful relationships – devoted kaiako, following principals from primary care giving support children and their families to develop a sense of belonging and well being, especially for those settling into the preschool.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
The Redwood Early Childhood Centre teachers and Management Committee are committed to providing quality care and education for children 0-5 years.
GROWING COMPETENT, CAPABLE, CONFIDENT LEARNERS AND COMMUNICATORS.
OUR AIM IS…
To provide a creative and stimulating environment which facilitates both individual and small group interests.
And to provide a curriculum which allows tamariki to make choices and participate at their own level.
To work towards providing experiences designed to help tamariki reach their full developmental potential, and to ensure their needs and rights are protected.
Our role as kaiako is to work in partnership with whānau to support and inspire tamariki to become confident and competent life long learners.
Rere atu, rere mai taku manu e, Rere ki tua, rere ki ko. Kia whetutangitia e.
Fly my bird, in every direction. Attain the countless stars.
As a community-based early childhood centre, management and kaiako believe in the importance of working collaboratively with parents and whānau in developing shared goals and expectations for both the tamariki and the operation of the centre.
Management and kaiako believe that for young children’s learning and development to be enhanced, there needs to be a strong focus on whanaungatanga; the fostering of warm, caring relationships within the centre and strong links between the centre, home and community.
Management have a commitment to employing early childhood qualified, experienced staff who are willing to be involved in ongoing professional development.
OUR CENTRE BELIEFS
RELATIONSHIPS WHANAUNGATANGA
Relationships are central to the culture of our centre. Relationships take priority and are woven throughout every aspect of the centre.
We place high importance on establishing and fostering responsive, reciprocal relationships between everyone who is part of our centre whānau. On enrolling into the nursery/preschool tamariki (and their whānau) first establish a relationship with a primary caregiver/devoted kaiako. These relationships also help to support tamariki later as they continue on their journey transitioning from the nursery to the preschool and then onto school in the later years
SUSTAINABILITY KAITIAKITANGI
High importance is placed on creating and sustaining respect for the natural environment, this is done through many ways including;
We are especially proud of our garden which enriches children’s working knowledge and theories around the living world and emphasises the relationship between us and our environment. On many occasions the tamariki cut, prepare and eat food made direct from our garden, providing additional learning opportunities for healthy eating.
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