ABOUT US

Our centre environment is well cared for, with good quality resources, giving ample choice for play.

Our centre philosophy is practiced in centre every day. Children’s interests, strengths and personal experiences are reflected in the programme.

Parents and families have a strong presence in the centre and are kept well-informed about their children’s learning through daily notebooks, emails, newsletters and family gatherings. Children’s home routines are followed where possible. Family experiences are recorded and integrated with group and individual children’s learning stories

We have an enthusiastic teaching team keen to adopt new ideas that are likely to impact positively on children. A number of initiatives such as the ‘Talking and Thinking Book’, while in the early stages, are proving successful in reflecting children’s interests through planning. Literacy and numeracy activities are deliberately integrated throughout the centre. Children are encouraged to explore reading, writing and numeracy in purposeful ways. Their efforts are increasingly complex and are displayed in the centre for all to share.

Group time, Ngā Tipuranga, enriches children’s learning and contributes to strong, confident relationships. The outcomes of group focus times are shared with parents via email, providing opportunities for families to further explore an interest or link to a home activity.

Individual learning stories capture rich examples of children’s development and consider how adults might contribute to next learning steps. Children’s te reo Māori learning and knowledge of tikanga Māori are also recorded.

Our teachers demonstrate a warm, caring and individual approach to the needs of very young children. Our infants and toddlers have a quiet play space and clean, comfortable sleep room. They also enjoy regular contact with the older children, especially their siblings. Small milestones in development are shared through daily notebooks and conversation with parents. Children’s transition from the over two area considers and responds to their individual needs. We have a primary caregiver approach, balanced with children’s need for independence and socialisation with other adults.

The centre has a strong transition to school programme, with many of the staff being trained primary school teachers. Children from the age of 4 are invited to participate in a daily 30-minute, classroom-style sessions where fun is mixed in with a more structured learning.

At aged five, children enrol in a large number of different schools. The centre shares information with parents to assist families to move confidently into the next stage of education.

The centre philosophy recognises the importance of strong relationships with families and the desirability of nurturing each child’s uniqueness. ‘The aspirations of children, embraced by the ridge of Tararua, cleansed by the waters of Mangatainoka. This is the place where the mana of whānau and iwi whānui are acknowledged through meaningful learning opportunities.’

We believe in:

• Nurturing children as individuals: in groups; and family relationships connects and assists children in their learning
• Providing independence encourages self-expression
• Children learn through exploration and curiosity
• Partnerships in children’s learning, brings home and center life together
• In providing bi-cultural and multi-cultural learning experiences
• Integrating all ages fosters respect and value amongst our learning family
• Value and respect diversity of all children and families
• In a rich, attractive, and challenging learning environment where children can have the time and space to discover
• Teachers are positive, enthusiastic learnings who continue their professional journey of planning for children and reflecting on their practice

We encourage you to read our latest ERO Report

We introduce sustainable habits and practices to our children by encouraging recycling, keeping worm farms and growing our own veges in our very own Dot Kids garden.

As a centre we use Educa, significantly reducing the amount of paper used for forms and newsletters. We do recycle paper?

We use local suppliers and partners where possible, supporting the sustainability of businesses in our community.

At Dot Kids we believe every little bit helps to ensure sustainability for our precious future generations.