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WHENUAKITE COUNTRY KIDS
Whenuakite Country Kids was opened in July 2002, as a licensed and chartered non profit Community owned centre, situated opposite Whenuakite School, in a rural setting, 20 minutes drive south of Whitianga, near the turnoff to Hot Water, Hahei and Cooks Beach. The centre is licensed for 35 children, ages from birth to age 5, and has separate areas for Preschoolers and Infant/Toddlers, including ample north facing outdoor play areas. The following information will assist you to understand the policies, routines and procedures at our centre: HOURS
The centre is open 5 days per week, including school holidays, but excluding public holidays. There is a Christmas shutdown, usually 2 weeks, and a 1 week mid year break usually in July. Hours of opening are currently 8am to 4pm. PROGRAMME
We provide a safe and challenging environment with a range of equipment, relationships and experiences to meet the physical, emotional, intellectual, social and language development needs of infants, toddlers and young children. Our programme reflects the goals and strands of Te Whariki, the Early Childhood Curriculum for NZ, There is a wide variety of experiences available for children which enable them to make choices and decisions. Educators scaffold and extend children’s thinking in areas of interest and developmental needs. The programme reflects the values and beliefs of the individual child and the wider community, acknowledging and respecting differences. An assessment, planning and evaluation system is in place where learning goals will be set for each child in consultation with their parents/whanau. This will empower the children to learn and grow. Staff work alongside children and their families to develop positive, healthy relationships. Through role modeling, positive reinforcement, mediation, sensitive guidance and support we build effective communication skills. Occasionally we plan centre excursions, permission is gained from every parent. Child ratios are usually 3:1 and 1:1 for Under 2’s PORTFOLIOS
Each child in the centre has a portfolio which captures their learning experiences and ensures their individual needs are met. The portfolio contains written observations, photos of the child, notes on child’s interests, examples of artwork, interesting discussions held with the child and anecdotal accounts of events in their lives. We encourage parents to look through these with their children to create discussion. Parent/whanau input is greatly appreciated. MANAGEMENT
Whenuakite Country Kids is a licensed and chartered Early Childhood Education Centre and an Incorporated Society run by a management committee, (incorporating the parents of the centre and the staff). The centre is non-profit and all proceeds are put back into improving the quality of the centre. Parents are welcome to attend committee meetings and all input is greatly appreciated. Copies of the committee meeting minutes are available from the office. Our Centre Manager is a trained professional in Early Childhood Education. It is the Centre Manager’s role to oversee the operation of the centre. The Center Manager is the link between parents, children, staff management and the Ministry of Education, and has access to other professionals in the field of Early Childhood and Family Services. Please feel free to talk to our Centre Manager about any issues or concerns. STAFF
At Whenuakite Country Kids the staff have been chosen for their natural ability and skill with young children. Our staff are either qualified in Early Childhood Education, are in training or have had extensive experience with early childhood education. ARRIVING
When you arrive with your child at Whenuakite Country Kids please follow the following steps.
DEPARTING
For safety reasons your child will only be released to those authorised on your enrolment form. When you need to make alternative arrangements please inform the centre of these ahead of time. When leaving with your child please follow the following steps:
SLEEPING
Children are ready for a rest after they have spent a busy morning doing exciting educational activities. In the afternoon we encourage children to rest or engage in quite activities while giving the children who need to sleep the opportunity to do so. For babies we try and follow their home sleeping patterns where possible. We will discuss individual requirements with parents. TOILET TRAINING
This is a natural process that all children go through at different ages. Teachers will work with parents to teach this skill to the child. Please let staff know when you are starting this process at home so we can continue it at Whenuakite Country Kids. BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT
We believe in encouraging the children to use acceptable ways of solving disputes. The use of positive discipline and conflict resolution is encouraged to ensure all children use appropriate behaviour. For further details please see our Behaviour Management Policy which is available at the office. CLOTHING
Your child is going to be very busy painting, dancing, doing indoor activities, eating and playing outdoors; for these reasons we encourage that children wear suitable clothes for the appropriate weather conditions. Please also include a change of clothes in their bag. We also like to encourage that they wear shoes that they can get on and off on their own. Please make sure that everything is named, including accessories; e.g. shoes, hats, etc HATS AND SUNBLOCK
In summer (term 4 and term 1) it is our policy to wear a sun hat when out doors, unless advised in writing. Please ensure that your child has a named hat in their bag. We also expect your child to arrive at Whenuakite Country Kids with sunblock already on. If your child is with us all day we will reapply sunblock after lunch. TOYS AND RESOURCES
At Whenuakite Country Kids we have a wide range of exciting and educational toys for your child to interact with. Personal toys brought from home can easily be misplaced or damaged and we can not assume responsibility for them. If your child has a special toy for sleeping with we are happy for this to accompany them at sleep time otherwise we kindly ask that you leave personal toys at home or in the car. Please encourage items of interest for news, e.g. bugs, insects, postcards, photos, verbal news. There is a constant demand in the centre for margarine pots, yoghurt pots, plastic bags, wood off-cuts, cardboard tubes and small boxes as well as natural materials such as egg shells, leaves, pine cones, shells, and wool etcetera. We gratefully accept the entire above plus lots more. Due to health regulations we are unable to use toilet rolls and soap powder boxes. BIRTHDAYS!
Birthdays are a time for us to celebrate with your child. At the centre we celebrate birthdays by all joining together to sing. A special card is made by the children and we make a special dough cake. You are always welcome to join us for this celebration. FOOD
Children are very active so really look forward to meal times. Please send along a packed lunch including afternoon tea in a named lunch box and a named drink bottle. We provide morning tea, between 9.30-10.30 and fresh drinking water at all meal times, and the children are encouraged to use the drinking fountain. We encourage healthy lunches consisting of sandwiches or rolls, fresh or dried fruit, yoghurt, boiled eggs, cheese and crackers etc. BOTTLES
If your child has a bottle please ensure that these are named and placed in the kitchen. MEDICINES
When your child is under medication from a doctor, details must written in the Medication Register and signed by the caregiver. The medication must be handed to a staff member and not be left in the child’s bag. IMMUNISATION
When enrolling your child you are required to show your child’s immunisation records. We encourage but do not enforce immunisation and take no responsibility for any disease your child acquires that would normally be preventable by immunisation. ILLNESSESDue to the risk of infection we are unable to take care of sick children. You will need to keep you child at home when they are ill and causing concern or:
If your child becomes ill during the day we will contact you so you can collect your child. Pamol will be administered in cases of emergency, i.e. pain, fever with your permission by the Head Teacher. ACCIDENTS
Accidents do happen and we are prepared. At all times there is a certificated First Aid teacher at the centre and we are equipped with First Aid equipment. All accidents are recorded in our accident book and parents are advised of all accidents and incidents. CONTACT DETAILS
Please advise us if you change address or phone numbers. This is important in emergency situations and centre closures. When enrolling your child you are required to give details of an alternative contact in case of an emergency when the parents cannot be contacted, and persons authorized to collect your children. Please make sure you notify us if there are changes to these. NEWSLETTERSThe centre publishes a newsletter at the beginning of the month, and a copy will be placed in your child’s pocket in the foyer. CLOTHING
Any unlabelled items of clothing are placed in the lost property box. Please check this regularly. This box will be cleared at the end of each term. NAPPIES
If your child wears nappies please ensure these are disposable ones while at the centre. Please supply an adequate quantity. A packet may be left at the centre if they are attending sufficiently long hours. You will be charged for any nappies that the centre needs to provide. COMPLAINS AND SUGGESTIONS
If you have any queries or complaints, please speak to the Centre Manger. If you are not satisfied after speaking with the Centre Manager, please put your query/complaint in writing and send it to:
An Enrollment form can be downloaded, completed and emailed to us, or posted. |
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