Kidlywinks Childcare Centre

Our Mission

At Kidlywinks we strive to cater to the individual learning and development needs of each child in our care.We aim to provide the highest level of child care and education for your child (from 3 months to 5 years) within a relaxed, loving and healthy atmosphere. Providing a feeling of acceptance and belonging enables individual children to feel safe and secure in order to be able to express themselves in a positive and productive manner.

Our centre is operated by qualified staff who are passionate about children's early learning and development.

Our Philosophy

At Kidlywinks:

We believe that we nurture all tamariki independence by promoting their confidence, self-esteem, motivation, perseverance and independence.  We foster self-reliance. which enables the tamariki to feel they have control over their life....

Indicators:

• Kaiako (teachers) will be supportive of tamariki who make mistakes - The most important thing is that they "gave it a go!" ​
• Kaiako will support tamariki to build their confidence and help when required.
• Tamariki are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning and will be given support when required.
• Tamariki can choose their own resources and take these to areas of their choice.
• We believe it is important that tamariki, Matua, whānau , Kaiako and the community of our centre are treated respectfully (Manaakitanga).  Both within the centre environment and out in our local community.  We believe in creating a whānau feeling within our centre.
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Indicators:

• Tuakana/teina relationships will be demonstrated as the tamariki will be working collaboratively to help and support one another.
• We acknowledge the 3 languages of Aotearoa and weave, English, Te Reo and sign language through our curriculum.
• We implement Tikanga practices in our environment.
• We acknowledge that whānau, teachers and tamariki can both teach and learn from each other through shared learning experiences. (Ako).
• We encourage the tamariki and whanau to be kaitiaki of our garden and chickens.  The vegetables we grow are given, or are available to be taken by our centre whānau or community.  The eggs we receive are available for whānau to purchase (the koha received buy food for the chickens).
• We explore our centres Turangawaewae by exploring Awakairangi.
• We demonstrate our sustainable practices (Kaitiakitanga) as we use re-useable hand towels, dry our washing on clothes drying racks, we use the water we collect for water play and watering the gardens, the weeds from our gardens can be fed to the chickens. We are working together to incorporate more sustainable practices within the centre.
• We believe tamariki should be able to move freely between all areas of the centre. We believe our tamariki should have many opportunities of un-interrupted sustained play to maximise their learning opportunites.

Indicators:

• Tamariki can move freely between all areas of the centre.
• Tamariki are given opportunities to re-engage in their learning experiences and are supported and encouraged to put away their items/resources when they are finished.
• Our routines are flexible to enable them to complete their self-chosen experiences
• We will provide tamariki with opportunities to engage in all curriculum areas regardless of weather. Utilising the gifts, we receive from Tāwhirimātea and Papatūānuku.