Universal Kids Early Childhood Education Centre

🇼🇸 Samoan Language Week at Universal Kids Childcare

This week our tamariki have been embracing Samoan Language Week through a range of fun and meaningful experiences. We have been learning new Samoan words and phrases such as Talofa (hello), O ā mai oe? (how are you?), and Manuia, fa’afetai (I’m very well, thank you), while also exploring different animals found in Samoa through our pukapuka and learning resources.

Our tamariki expressed their creativity by making beautiful Samoan-inspired artwork, including the Samoan flag, siapo designs, ula necklaces, and much more. They enjoyed singing, dancing, and moving to Samoan music, celebrating the rich culture and traditions of Samoa.

A special thank you to Keoni’s whānau for sharing some delicious koko laisa with us. Tamariki loved tasting this traditional Samoan treat and learning more about Samoan culture through food.

What a wonderful week of learning, celebrating, and connecting with the Samoan language and culture. 🌺

Fa’afetai tele lava and tino pai tamariki mā!

Group photos from today ❤️

Enjoy the long weekend whanau ☺️

A little recap of our week here at Universal Kids

Our tamariki have had a busy week exploring all areas of our learning environment! From outdoor play enjoying the beautiful weather to sensory experiences with playdough and creative play, there were many opportunities for learning through fun and exploration.

Our tamariki also enjoyed special mat times, quiet quality moments during our transition to school programme, and strengthening friendships along the way. In our babies room, we were so excited to welcome many new friends and whānau into our Universal Kids family

Tino pai tō mahi tamariki mā! Thank you to all our whānau for another wonderful week full of learning, laughter, and aroha

Today at Universal Kids we celebrated Pink Shirt Day 💗

Throughout the week our tamariki explored stories and discussions around kindness, friendship, inclusion, and caring for others. Together we learnt the importance of using kind words, showing empathy, and creating a safe environment where everyone feels valued and accepted.

To celebrate, tamariki designed their own pink shirts for display and came dressed in pink to stand together against bullying and spread kindness throughout our centre.

Alongside our celebrations, tamariki also engaged in day-to-day outdoor play and exploration, noticing the changing seasons and weather around them. Through nature play and conversations outdoors, children were encouraged to observe their environment, share their thoughts, and make connections to the world around them.

A beautiful day filled with creativity, learning, laughter, exploration, and aroha 🌸

This week at Universal Kids, our tamariki have been busy preparing for our Mother’s Day celebration. Tamariki created beautiful cards and special gifts for their mums, while also practising hard for their performance to help make the celebration extra special.

The day was filled with many lovely activities where it was the tamariki’s turn to make mummy feel beautiful including nail painting stations, makeup areas, and hair combing stations. It was such a heartwarming celebration, and so lovely to see some grandmothers joining us for the special occasion as well.

Throughout these celebrations, many learning opportunities were taking place. Tamariki were developing their creativity and fine motor skills through card making, painting, and creating gifts. During dramatic play experiences such as the beauty stations, tamariki were building social skills, communication, confidence, and showing care and empathy towards others. Performance practices encouraged teamwork, listening skills, self-expression, and confidence in front of others.

Most importantly, tamariki were learning about love, appreciation, family connections, and celebrating the important people in their lives strengthening their sense of belonging and relationships within our centre community. ❤️

Happy Mother’s Day to all our mums, grandmothers, aunties, and mother figures.

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his Week at Universal Kids 🌿

What a busy and exciting week it has been across all three rooms! Our tamariki have been fully engaged in a variety of learning experiences, making the most of the beautiful weather with plenty of outdoor play. From exploring nature to active movement, our outdoor spaces have been full of energy and joy.

Inside, tamariki have been getting creative producing wonderful masterpieces that are proudly displayed in their classrooms for whānau to enjoy. These experiences support creativity, self-expression, and a strong sense of belonging.

We have also seen beautiful examples of tuakana–teina, with older children guiding and supporting younger peers. These moments help build leadership, empathy, and strong relationships within our learning community.

Through imaginative play, tamariki have been letting their creativity run wild—developing problem-solving skills, communication, and confidence as they explore their ideas together.

What learning is happening?
Tamariki are strengthening social competence, building relationships, expressing creativity, and developing independence all key strands of Te Whāriki in action.

Ka pai tō mahi everyone! 💛

As we move toward the end of the year and begin to wind down, the tamariki continue to engage in a wide range of learning experiences that reflect their individual interests. From nurturing pretend play in the babies’ room, to sensory water play with our toddlers, and creative construction alongside plenty of outdoor fun in the preschool, there has been so much meaningful learning happening across all age groups.
We also enjoyed celebrating three birthday parties this week, which brought lots of excitement, laughter, delicious cake, and fun goodies for everyone to enjoy. 🎉🎂
As things start to become a little quieter, we are wrapping up 2025 feeling proud and grateful for what has truly been a fantastic, fun-filled year of learning, growth, and shared experiences.