Childcare options in Cloverlea

At Little Acorns, our mission is to provide an environment and relationships that nurture positive growth for not only the children but their families and whānau, the staff, and the wider community.

KĀKANO (UNDER TWOS) 

In Kākano room, we believe that children’s needs take precedence over any routines that may be convenient for the centre or the staff. We will work with you to try and replicate your child’s home routine as much as possible. Throughout the day the children are free to choose what activities they will explore and engage in and we try to set up experiences that extend on current interests/strengths/urges etc. We will offer a range of small ’group’ times that may involve singing/dancing, puppets, books etc but it is optional for your child to join in. 

Under 2 ratio: 1 teacher to 3 children

PAIAKA (2 - 4 YEAR OLDS)

For the most part of our programme, the children are engaged in free play and exploration. The teachers set up the environment to reflect the children’s strengths, interests, and to extend on their learning and curiosity. There is a welcome mat time in the morning where we come together to say our centre karakia, and sing waiata.   Throughout the room tuakana/ teina relationships are fostered, the children can enjoy a happy, secure environment where they have a sense of belonging and develop their confidence and independence.

2 and 3 year old ratio: 1 teacher to 6 children

MĀHURI (4 - 6 YEAR OLDS)

In Māhuri for the most part of our programme, tamariki are free to choose what activities they will explore and engage in. There are some teacher directed learning times throughout the day (mat time - singing songs, reading books, playing a game , writing books etc) but the majority of time is spent engaging in free play and exploration.

At this stage, we strongly encourage attendance and participation in mat times, helping to tidy up and getting their own lunchbox and drink bottle. This helps them to take care of their belongings and have some form of knowledge and independence before starting school.

Over 4 year old ratio: 1 teacher to 8 children

Welcome to Ruahine Cloverlea Kindergarten, where strong relationships with tamariki, whānau, local schools and the natural environment are nurtured, and children have fun while learning.

At Ruahine Cloverlea Kindergarten children are at the heart of our learning community. With a sense of fun and nurturing, we foster the development of strong learning dispositions which encourages lifelong learning.

We value our bicultural heritage and through our practice of Tikanga and Te Reo Māori we embrace and acknowledge Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We celebrate diversity which we believe enriches and contributes to learning.

Through communication we build respectful reciprocal relationships with whānau/families and our wider community. This includes our local schools and participating in the bike track programme.

Ruahine Cloverlea Kindergarten is open Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 2.30pm, and closed over the Christmas and New Year break, as well as three weeks during the year when teachers are engaged in professional development (dates to be advised on enrolment).

Three, four and five year old's may attend our kindergarten up to 30 hours at no charge, a fee of $2.50 (inclusive of GST) is in place for tamariki under 3 years of age - ask our Head Teacher for a copy of our Terms of Trade.

Alphabet Academy has two unique locations in Palmerston North, one located in Roslyn, 525 Featherston Street and one located in Cloverlea, 237 Tremaine Avenue.

Each of our centres are vibrant, clean and spacious. They are places children want to be in that support play, imagination, invention and exploration. We have a wide range of materials and modes to support our children's development, learning and extension.

At both centers, we provide safe and nurturing spaces for babies and infants. Spaces allow for them to learn in unique and exciting ways while teachers cater to each child's individuals natural rhythms. The toddlers and young children spaces are designed to foster creativity and develop working theories for making sense of the natural, social, physical and material worlds.  While children are in separate spaces there is flexibility to allow children to flow between rooms, in particular for children with siblings in each of the rooms.

Our Cloverlea centre is a purpose built childcare centre with large open spaces, designated for different types of learning opportunities and play, for example, our kitchen was designed so children can watch and be involved with the cooking of their nutritious lunches and snacks.

In addition to each of these Childcare Centres the Team at Alphabet Academy has access to the Vision Complex building located at 237 Tremaine Avenue which has a large auditorium, in which our children love having mid-winter movie sessions on the big screens. As well as this our children have access to the dance studio and we are developing a dance program for our children so we can make the most our of the spaces we have available to us. 

Size of centre