Our Centre, established in the beautiful rural community of Rukuhia celebrates children's exploration and discovery in their environment. It is located in the old Gostiona restaurant (3 RukuhiaRd, on the corner of Rukuhia and Ohaupo Roads), repurposing this icon of a building into a fresh and new beginning. SESSION TIMES
Our session times vary depending on the community need. For children under 3, we offer a morning session from 8.30am to 12.30pm, an afternoon session from 1.00pm to 5.00pm, a short day from 8.45am to 3.15pm and a full day, anything between 7.00am and 6.00pm. For children over 3, utilizing the 20 Hours ECE, we offer the short day and full day. ENVIRONMENTS
Our Infants & Toddlers room is designed to cater for children from birth up to 3 years of age. Equipment and resources that specifically support the learning needs of this age group are provided to encourage explorations and discovery of the world around them. There are also 2 separate sleep rooms to cater for babies and toddlers sleeping needs. Their outdoor space is designed to cover the front of the building, the majority of which is covered to provide safety from the elements, supporting children to play ‘outside’ in most weather conditions. The Preschool room is designed to cater for children from approximately 2 years old to 6 years old. The equipment and resources are varied to cater to this diverse age range. Their outdoor space is larger than required, taking up the entire left end of the site to optimize the physical development that children go through in this age range. Little Explorers teachers value the importance of exploration and discovery and will present the environment in an attractive and inviting manner that encourages risk-taking, problem-solving and resourcefulness in a safe and fun way. OUR PHILOSOPHY
Our Centre philosophy focuses around the belief that children learn about the world around them by being hands on investigators. All children are unique and grow and develop at their own pace. At Little Explorers Early Learning Centre there is a fundamental respect for all children, allowing this process to happen organically. We provide an environment where all children can develop and learn at their own pace. Teachers have a responsibility to facilitate the learning environment to encourage exploration and inquiry. This includes allowing children the opportunity to challenge themselves and investigate things that interest them. Purposefully thought out environments stimulate creative thinking and imagination, enabling children to work individually, in small groups and within larger social gatherings. Children are given opportunities to acquire new knowledge, abilities and skills through varied learning opportunities and experiences. We acknowledge the importance of whānau, and feel that genuine relationships form the basis of great learning communities. By building positive, responsive and reciprocal relationships with our children and their whānau, we enable them to contribute to their own learning. At Little Explorers we believe that supporting children to become actively engaged in their environment ensures their readiness as confident and competent learners ready for wherever life leads them. If you would like further information, or to enrol your child, please get in touch. We can be contacted by phone on 078397297, mobile on 0275580448 or email to [email protected]
