Honey Pot 3 - 5 Years

3-5 YEARS

Programmes for this age group are about preparing them for primary school and the new environment they will enter. All children learn in unique ways and develop at different ages. In this group we again design individual programmes to help children learn in the way that is best for them, at their own pace and in their own time.

Learning is still centred on play; however we do introduce some new experiences that help children’s transition to school. Children are encouraged during the transition programme to take responsibility for their belongings, learn to manage a lunchbox and its contents, engage in mat time and develop the foundation skills necessary for them to be able to read and write when they get to school. 

The school environment will be very unfamiliar so our transition programme aims to make children comfortable with the new things they might encounter so they are well prepared for the next step in their learning journey.

All teachers regularly revise their professional development to ensure we offer stimulating programmes for children.

 

Our indoor and outdoor environment caters for all aspects of the early Childhood Curriculum, offering a vast array of resources in order to meet Ministry of Education, ERO and Curriculum expectations and guidelines.

 

LEARNING AND DEVELOPEMNT

 

DAILY PROGRAMME

Our daily programme is the happenings that occur consistently to provide for our children's learning, growth and well-being.

They include collage/drawing/painting, blocks, puzzles, water play and sand, physical play, nature & science, dress-ups, family & fantasy, carpentry, music & movement, playdough & clay, Te reo, books & literature.......running, climbing, bike riding, making noise, breathing fresh air!

 

PLANNED PROGRAMME

To respond to the ever changing needs, interests and abilities of our children we believe the programme needs to be well planned but also flexible and adaptable to ensure we are guided by children's interests. Our open ended play opportunities will allow children to take ownership of their learning, initiate activities, take risks and develop confidence, all while enjoying unhurried periods of uninterrupted play.

 

TEACHABLE MOMENTS

As children explore our stimulating environment, teachers will listen for emerging ideas from their discoveries. These rich learning opportunities are often spontaneous in nature as children and teachers grow and learn together. Real life experiences will form the beginnings of children's understanding of the world, encouraging imagination and creativity.

 

PLAY BASED LEARNING

We are child centred with a strong focus on providing for the specific needs of each individual child. We value real life experiences with children having choice and ownership of their learning. As teachers carefully guide, interact and collaborate with children through their purposeful play, a love of learning through discovery, wonder, and inquiry develops. We understand that play is child's work and a window to their world.

 

LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT

The key areas of learning and development are well-being, belonging, communication, contribution, and exploration.

Learning is centred on developing children's learning dispositions of courage & curiosity, trust & playfulness, perseverance, responsibility and confidence.

 

LINKS TO TE WHAARIKI (ECE CURRICULUM)

Te Whaariki, the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum promotes key areas of learning, development and dispositions for children. It is founded on the aspiration for children to grow up as competent and confident learners, communicators, healthy in mind, body, and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging and in the knowledge that they make a valued contribution to society.