Leap Ahead Early Childhood Centre

Leap Ahead has purpose built early childhood centres located in Methven & Hinds.

We believe that children learn best in an environment where they feel safe and secure and reassured that their needs will be met, and where they feel that they have a special place. We provide an environment that lays this foundation so that children can develop through communicating effectively, contributing in a variety of situations, and exploring almost everything.

MISSION & VISION

At Leap Ahead Early Childhood Centre we vision a quality learning environment that is interesting, varied and that has well-resourced spaces.  At Leap Ahead we maintain a high calibre of educators at all levels of the profession and a curriculum that is based on the National Framework Te Whariki. Leap Ahead values the importance of play as a key tool for children to learn, and believes that play is the work of the young. We as a centre believe that play contributes to all domains of development.

Our Mission Statement:

At Leap Ahead Early Childhood Centre we believe that children learn best in an environment where they feel safe and secure and reassured that their needs will be met, and where they feel they have a special place. We provide an environment that lays this foundation so that children can develop through communicating effectively, contributing in a variety of situations, and exploring almost everything.

We will provide an environment that:

• Is calm, relaxed, and respectful
• Is inviting and interesting
• Promotes learning and development
• Provides a wide variety of equipment that children can easily access
• Is safe physically and emotionally
• Is inclusive and provides equitable access and opportunities
• Accepts differences in ideas and practices (based on research of best teaching practice)

Educators will:

• Role model respect, loving interactions, and healthy, happy relationships
• Use respectful tones and voices at all times, and encourage children to do the same
• Work alongside children
• Be accepting of individuals and their uniqueness
• Acknowledge, support, and enhance individual needs, interests, and abilities
• Build on children’s individual and collective interests
• Support children as they learn at their own pace to encourage deep learning
• Spontaneously extend children’s play
• Implement and incorporate Te Reo Maori and tikanga practices naturally into the programme
• Provide stimulating, challenging, and fun learning opportunities
• Help children research and gather information
• Provide activities and experiences which challenge and foster children’s thinking and reasoning
• Introduce resources and activities related to events in the wider community
• Collectively plan for specific learning based on observations
• Build on the curriculum emerging through children’s play
• Use the New Zealand Early Childhood Education curriculum, Te Whariki as the basis of their observations, planning, and evaluations
• Communicate with parents every day about their child’s day
• Work with parents and whanau to achieve the best environment for each child
• Maintain a high level of professionalism
• Undertake regular professional development to maintain their knowledge of best teaching practices