Little Oaks Early Learning Centre

Little Oaks Early Learning Centre is based in Clinton (South Otago). We provide Early Childhood Education for children aged 3 months to school aged.

Our Philosophy

Relationships

At Little Oaks we believe that developing positive reciprocal relationships with tamariki, family/whanau, caregivers and the wider community us essential to tamariki’s holistic development. As a team we aim to nurture and grow relationships that embrace respect and open communication, the tamariki will develop trusting and respectful relationships with their teachers and the environment.

Identity

A Little Oaks we provide a safe warm and caring environment where diversity and inclusive education is supported. We acknowledge the importance of biculturalism and the Treaty of Waitangi, and promote Te Reo and nga tikanga Maori into our everyday practice. We recognize the diversity of families and celebrate and acknowledge each child’s individual culture and heritage.

Play is a tamariki’s work

At Little Oaks we highly value the importance of play. Our team works collaboratively to provide quality learning and teaching based on the tamariki’s own interests and uniqueness. The tamariki are empowered to take leadership in their learning, develop their social skills and the confidence to make their own choices, take risks and express themselves. We use NZ Early Childhood Curriculum Te Whāriki to guide our planning for each individual child. This is an emergent curriculum and encourages tamariki to learn through free plan both independently and alongside their teachers and peers. We are committed to ongoing evaluation and professional development to endure we are meeting the needs of all tamariki / whanau.

Peaceful natural environment

Our centre is set in a rural community and we value our unique rural culture and embrace the natural environment around us, we believe this helps tamariki to learn respect for their surroundings and each other. We are committed to preparing an authentic learning environment so tamariki can investigate, explore and discover the wonders of the world in which we live. We aspire to promote wonder and discovery and encourage tamariki’s curiosity and the desire to learn.

Learning Priorities

Below are our learning priorities for tamariki at Little Oaks Early Learning Centre, these are linked to our centre Philosophy

Confidence

• Children will build confidence to trust their teachers, themselves and each other. They will build confidence to take risks, express themselves and seek solutions.

Leadership

• We will inspire children to build confidence in becoming leaders in their play.

Responsibility

• The children will be encouraged to take responsibility for their learning, choices, their own well-being and that of others.

Independence

• We will encourage the children to build confidence in taking risks, completing tasks, and making their own decisions in play and learning.

Socially competent learners

• The children will build strong reciprocal relationships and develop skills for communicating, contributing and co-operating with each other.

Valuing interests and uniqueness

• We will value the children’s interests and personal identity and use this is a foundation for learning and planning.

Respect

• For routines & rituals of the centre, for the environment and for each other.

Allowing choice

• Trusting children to choose how they spend their time and how they engage the world results in play, learning and curriculum

Natural Environment

• Respecting and learning about our natural environment.