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At Smoochie McGill Early Learning we believe in providing a caring, creative environment, which encourages relationships between teachers, children, parents and whānau. Children are encouraged to investigate and follow their own interests, and teachers provide positive encouragement, build on the child’s learning through discussion, and provide supporting activities/ideas to extend the learning even further. Teachers create respectful relationships with good communication, love and kindness.
We are based in a converted house on a quiet residential street, giving a feeling of home away from home. There is plenty of natural light and indoor/outdoor flow. Tui birds are frequent visitors to the trees shading our playground. We have two rooms - the over 2s/Matariki Room with a maximum of 23 children, and the under 2s /Tui Room with a maximum of 9 children. There are 3 teachers in each room. We operate to the 100% qualified teachers Ministry of Education (MOE) model which means that most of our teachers are qualified and registered teachers. As our teacher to child ratio’s are often much better than the MOE’s minimum requirements, this extra staffing is provided with a mix of qualified/registered teachers, non qualified teachers, and non qualified teachers in training/student teachers.
We have an onsite chef who prepares meals each day. A lot of planning goes into our menu, and we adapt it to make use of NZ grown seasonal produce. We use free-range meat and eggs and have one vegetarian meal each week. We avoid the use of processed meats, eg. ham and sausages. There is a Summer and Winter Menu and each season has a 4 week rotating menu.
A sibling discount of 10% is available when two or more siblings are enrolled.
Our centre does not have an extended shut down period over Christmas/New Year. We only close on statutory holidays.
When your child has been enrolled continuously for 6 months, we offer 2 weeks per year at 50% fees as Holiday Leave.
At Smoochie McGill Early Learning we believe in providing a caring, creative environment, which encourages relationships between teachers, children, parents and whānau. This is key to providing quality education and care.
Our Vision
All children, teachers and whānau thrive in our engaging learning setting. Children see themselves as successful learners, full of potential.
Our Children
We believe that children are full of potential, competence, and are capable of directing their own learning. They have the capacity for representing ideas in a wide variety of symbolic and realistic approaches. We encourage children to investigate, make sense of objects and ideas about which they are curious, and to become promoters of culture, values and rights.
Our Teachers
We provide an atmosphere of harmony as we believe it is essential in facilitating positive, supportive relationships. Reciprocal communication between the children, parents and teachers is paramount to offer a foundation where we can work together to create the spirit of cooperation, collaboration, and co-construction of knowledge. The role of our teachers is to be a co-learner alongside the children. Through working together, we work towards a common purpose – the building of a culture which respects childhood as a time to explore, investigate, create, and be happy.
Our Environment
We trust that every child should be encouraged to grow and learn in a natural environment that facilitates a positive contribution to society. We aim to provide an environment that encourages collaboration, communication and exploration. Our spaces are filled with natural light, order and beauty. Each space has an identity and a purpose and are cared for and respected by the children and the adults. It is significant for our spaces to be alive, flexible and open to change to support our children in exploring deeper into their interests and investigations.
Our Parents
We strive to offer a home away from home, where there is mutual respect and trust. We value parent participation and see their involvement as a necessary voice in their child’s learning. We respect the partnership that we have with our parents and wish to continue to build on it through working together cooperatively and transparently.
“The environment should act as an aquarium which reflects the ideas, ethics, attitudes and culture of the people who live in it. This is what we are working towards” Loris Malaguzzi (creator of the Reggio Emilia approach in early learning)
Schedule of Fees (effective from 29 April 2024)
Full Day 7.30am - 5.30pm
6 months – 3 years $244 (3 days) $296 (4 days) $338 (5 days)
3 years - 5 years (using 20hrs ECE) $179 (3 days) $214 (4 days) $237 (5 days)
Short Day 8.30am - 3.30pm
6 months – 3 years $232 (3 days) $279 (4 days) $321 (5 days)
3 years - 5 years (using 20hrs ECE) $125 (3 days) $154 (4 days) $179 (5 days)
Autumn/Winter Menu (one week from a 4 week changing/rotating menu)
Monday
Morning Tea - Marmite toast on wholemeal bread, with fresh fruit (seasonal selection).
Lunch - Lasagne with lean beef mince with onion, grated carrot and spinach.
Afternoon Tea - Crackers with sliced cheese and hummus, with fresh fruit (seasonal selection).
Late Snack - Selection from crackers, corn thins and spreads (cream cheese, marmite).
Tuesday
Morning Tea - Pikelets with banana or blueberry center and fresh fruit (seasonal selection).
Lunch - Quesadilla with black beans, onion, carrot, corn and cheese.
Afternoon Tea - Cheese pastry scrolls, and fresh fruit (seasonal selection).
Late Snack - Selection from crackers, corn thins and spreads (cream cheese, marmite).
Wedensday
Morning Tea - Yoghurt and fruit salad.
Lunch - Tomato based tuna pasta dish, with onion, grated carrot and spinach.
Afternoon Tea - Wholemeal carrot or lemon muffins and fresh fruit (seasonal selection).
Late Snack - Selection from crackers, corn thins and spreads (cream cheese, marmite).
Thursday
Morning Tea - Oaty apple slice and fresh fruit (seasonal selection).
Lunch - Free range chicken and vegetable fried rice.
Afternoon Tea - Mini pizza's (using English muffin splits) with pizza sauce and grilled cheese topping with fresh fruit (seasonal selection).
Late Snack - Selection from crackers, corn thins and spreads (cream cheese, marmite).
Friday
Morning Tea - Berry, Banana or Ginger loaf and fresh fruit (seasonal selection).
Lunch - Chicken and corn soup. Seved with garlic bread.
Afternoon Tea - Marmite and cheese scrolls and fresh fruit (seasonal selection).
Late Snack - Selection from crackers, corn thins and spreads (cream cheese, marmite).
