Programme

We run a programme where a balance of free play experiences and teacher directed experiences are offered.  We encourage all children to participate in all areas of the kindergarten programme.  The children are provided with a changing variety of activities to choose from, making every session unique. 

Morning Session Structure:

9:00am Children arrive Free play indoors and outdoors
10:00am Music time All children must be present
10:20am Washing hands and toileting
followed by morning tea		 All children bring their own healthy morning tea.  Cooled purified water is available throughout the session.
10:45am "Big peoples", "Group 2" and
free play for those not participating in a group		 "Big peoples” group – Just before your child starts school they participate in this special group activity.  This group is designed to develop listening skills, pre-reading skills, mathematics skills, art and language.  The children record their work in a book to take home when they leave kindergarten for school. 

“Group 2” – When children move into the morning session they will be doing group work once a week on specific topics.  This work will be filed in their personal files for you to see and discuss with your child.  When they start “big peoples” this work will be recorded in a book.
11:30am Tidy up time All children are encouraged to help tidy up the kindergarten.
11:40am Mat time All children must participate.  Each week a letter of the alphabet is promoted.  This is to develop the children’s awareness of the alphabet.  We encourage the children to bring along to kindergarten an object that begins with the letter (one letter each week).  We hope they can talk about what the object is, and its uses, and comprehend what initial letter it begins with.  This activity also helps to develop self-confidence from speaking in front of their peers.
12:00pm Session ends  

 

Afternoon Session Structure:

12:45pm Children arrive Free play indoors and outdoors
1:45pm Music time All children must be present
2:00pm Washing hands and toileting
followed by afternoon tea		 All children bring their own healthy afternoon tea.  Cooled purified water is available throughout the session.
2:20pm Free play  
2:50pm Tidy up time All children are encouraged to help tidy up the kindergarten.
3:15pm Session ends  

 

Trips/Outings/Walks

Several trips are organized during the year, e.g.: zoo, StarDome, beach, farm, museum.  We also have impromptu walks to One Tree Hill park to experience the outdoors - walking, running, jumping and climbing; to see the animals – sheep, lambs, cows, calves and birds, to experience nature in the different seasons and to appreciate the natural resource in their community. 

 

Theatre Groups

We have regular visits by music and drama groups e.g.: puppets, “Aunties”.

 

The Early Childhood National Curriculum

Staff base the programme around children’s interests and needs, within Te Whaariki (Early Childhood Curriculum) guidelines.