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Philosophy Programme Theme Days and Excursions Transition to School Programme
Philosophy

At Lollipops Educare Mt Wellington we believe children learn and develop in early childhood environments where they feel stimulated, safe and secure. Our aim is to provide a natural, warm, loving and caring environment where children are encouraged to explore and discover the world around them.

We believe parents and educators should work together in partnership in providing a home away from home, and to support each other in the development of children. We aim to develop respectful relationships with children, families and educators through communication and interaction.

We want the experiences that the children share at Lollipops Educare to reflect what happens at home and to communicate with parents and caregivers to enable this to occur naturally.
We believe play is like work for children, and they learn life skills through play. We believe by fostering children’s creativity and individual interests, they will be able to develop more personal experiences that will shape their future learning and development. We believe by providing a child initiated programme, children are empowered and taking ownership of their own learning.

We will model, teach and encourage the children to develop healthy attitudes towards eating, toileting and sleeping.

We believe educators facilitate, share, foster and extend knowledge among children. We also see our role as a support for families. We believe children are capable, individual and independent beings who should be encouraged to be decision makers.

We acknowledge and respect Tino Rangatiratanga (equal partnership between Maori and Pakeha), and we aim to provide opportunities including Te Reo and culture within our centre. We acknowledge our community is another learning resource and is a tapestry of cultures and we will embrace both the sameness and differences of these cultures within our centre and programme (sociocultural).
Learning Programme
Our Educators
We are committed to employing educators of excellence. We value a mix of qualified and experienced educators with different backgrounds and cultures, who have a passion for working with young children. We believe ongoing professional development is important, and our educators are encouraged to attend courses to maintain their education and professionalism.
Programme
Our programme is based on the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum - Te Whaariki and supporting documents. Educators will have a good understanding of these documents and will plan and document children's learning experiences based on Te Whaariki. The programme plan is based on the documentation of observations that are made by parents and educators of the child's interest, strength and knowledge, then as a team - educators plan and implement the programme. The aim of individual programme is to extend and support a child's interest, strength and knowledge.
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General Programme
We aim to provide a balance of child initiated and educator directed activities that foster life skills such as independent thinking, problem solving and social behaviour. We also encourage spontaneous play and for children to be actively participating in our general programme. These activities include dough, water, sand, blocks, books, family play and art etc.
Mat Times
This is an important part of our day; we use this time to share stories, sing songs, and also to discuss centre issues. Children are actively involved in setting rules and boundaries for themselves and they gain a variety of skills through participation in mat time.
Theme Days and Excursions
Theme Days
Throughout the year the centre will feature a number of theme days. Activities will be based around a theme and you and your child will be encouraged to participate in the theme day and activities.
Excursions

Excursions are an important part of our programme. Excursions can occur weekly due to having own 10 seater van, and within a few days in response to a child's interest. Families are welcome to join us on excursions. We will often visit Thompson Park beside the centre for science activities as well as a place to run and stretch our legs. We will also arrange excursions away to the zoo, library and other interesting places whenever possible.
Transition to School Programme
Programme

We offer a Transition to School programme for children who have turned 4½.

We have identified three areas that we think are important skills to learn before school to make up the key focus of our Transition to School Programme. Working with local schools, our Programme links to the expectations of the Schools regarding key abilities a five year should bring to school on their first day.

This programme looks at social skills, self-help skills, numeracy and literacy skills. The children involved in the Transition to School Programme will have an opportunity to work together on more structured activities that focus on one of the lesson topics each day.
Transition Learning Area
We have a specially designed area for our older children only, where age appropriate activities are available such writing materials, games, books, a computer with learning programme and writing books. Children access this gated area unaided and love the indpendance they have when choosing to use the activities. This compliments the Transition to School Programme and provides interest based learning experiences.
Our Centre Van
We have a brand new 10 seater van for excursions. This is used to support our programme with small group trips of 8 children and 2 staff on a regular basis and at short notice. Our parents have attended as well. We also like to visit places in our local community. Places we have visited include library, parks and playground, reserves, pet shop to buy our mice, Hospice to donate items, the train station for our train trip and many more to come. Our van is used each week and the staff and children look forward to their turn.
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