KIDS WORLD GENERAL INFORMATION
OUR ECE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME
Children will experience a planned curriculum based on Te Whaariki principles, strands and goals as a framework for our monthly planning & evaluation cycle. This includes children's direct & indirect learning experiences with the overall goal to empower, enable and encourage children to learn and reach their full potential. To get a more rounded picture we encourage you to share with us your ideas, observations and aspirations for your child.
Teachers are also responsive to the 'here and now' happenings of children and will endeavour to provide resources to extend children in each curriculum area. Curriculum areas include music and movement, sensory explorations, visual arts and creativity, dramatic and socio dramatic play, manipulative and physically active, simple construction and concept development of early science and technology, early literacy and mathematical concepts. 'Heuristic play' is an important part of our infant/toddler curriculum and supports your child's sensory development. We follow heuristic play guidelines and offer a wide range of well-selected open-ended objects for exploration. We also value the learning and social development when mixed-age groups play together and will ensure this happens with focused supervision.
Furthermore, we are committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We also aim to reflect the cultural background of all attending children within the Kids World environment. We ask you to please support this commitment, and share your cultural heritage with us any way you can.
WHAT TO BRING TO A SESSION
Your child may require the following items:
- A named bag
- Set of extra clothing, please label with your child's name
- Healthy snacks and drink in a named lunchbox
- Named infant bottle with formula or milk
- Spare nappies
- Packet of wet-wipes
- Two cot-sized sheets if your infant is likely to sleep during sessions
Please feel free to discuss in detail with teachers.
SETTLING YOUR CHILD
It is important that you initially stay with your child until your child feels safe to explore and is comfortable with the teachers. Please talk to staff regarding your child's settling-in time. We found that 'sneaking away' doesn't work. It may seem like an easy option at the time, but it does not support the formation of trust.
When it is time to leave your child, please stick to it and after a quick good bye, pass your child into the care of a teacher and simply go. Lingering around may make things worse. Please feel free to discuss any concerns with a teacher.
Also note that we will ask you to come back to Kids World should your child become very unsettled and distressed. If your child has experienced a long absence from attending they may need again more of your time to resettle into Kids World.
Each child will have their own settling requirements and it is important that staff can plan to meet these needs. Once children are settled their time with us will be enjoyable for everyone.
DAILY ROUTINES
We offer free play as it encourages children to choose and get actively involved in our various play and learning areas, rather than being told what to do and how long it will take. Our kai time practices encourages children to listen to their bodily needs (i.e. food and drink and toileting) while they learn about hygiene such as hand washing. Nappies are changed depending on children’s individual needs. During a session your child might be involved in numerous planned and spontaneous activities, such as story and music time, and a wide variety of creative and explorative experiences.
ACCESS AND COLLECTION OF YOUR CHILD
Please ensure you personally inform the Kids World manager on the day should someone else collect your child, apart from yourself.
Information regarding access to children is held at Kids World on your child's enrolment form. To keep information on enrolment form up to date and for security and emergency reasons, please let us know as soon as possible should any details change.
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Kids World remains open during school holidays apart from a few weeks over the Christmas and New Years period. However, Kids World is closed on all statuary holidays.
PLANNING, ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION
You will find our monthly curriculum programme plans on our two planning boards. One is located in the infant area, the other by the signing in table. On these teachers plan for either individual children and/or small groups in order to develop and support children’s strengths, interests and needs. They will assess the children using the ‘Learning Story’ format. The stories are displayed on the planning boards with accompanying photos. All planning is made available and accessible to the parents of the children.
PARENT POLICY FOLDER
Your are invited to read our policy documents. Let us know should you wish to be part of the yearly review.
ERO REPORT
Can be viewed on Ministry of Education website - see www.minedu.govt.nz
We hope your child enjoys their time with us at Kids World while you enjoy your time in our fantastic gym.