Little Sunbeams Tore o Puanga

Little Sunbeams Tore o Puanga We offer quality Childcare in a culturally diverse and nurturing environment. ‘Home away from home’.

We believe that ngā tamariki learn through play, and that our emergent curriculum and planning is child-initiated, reflecting the needs and interests of ngā tamariki. Creating meaningful learning experiences through: prioritizing active participation; building strong relationships; implementing flexible and adaptable teaching strategies; inquiry; and play-based learning.

Haere rā, e RānieraE te taonga, e Rāniera,Today we celebrate not only your journey to school, but the incredible person ...
24/07/2026

Haere rā, e Rāniera

E te taonga, e Rāniera,

Today we celebrate not only your journey to school, but the incredible person you have become. It has been a privilege to walk alongside you as you have grown in confidence, curiosity, kindness, and resilience.

As you step into this new chapter, remember that you carry with you the strength of your whakapapa, the love of your whānau, and the mana that is uniquely yours. These are treasures that will guide you wherever your journey takes you.

May you continue to stand proud in who you are, embrace every opportunity with courage, and always know that your identity, culture, and connection to te ao Māori are sources of great strength.

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini. ~ My strength is not mine alone, but comes from the collective.

Rāniera, thank you for sharing your laughter, your kindness, and your wairua with us. You have enriched our centre in so many ways, and your presence will be deeply missed.

Haere rā, e tama. Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui. Kia tū rangatira ai koe i ngā rā katoa.

Mauri ora!

Opu ole a*o nei (word of the day) FaleA fale in Samoan is a traditional house or building.A fale is more than just a hou...
03/06/2026

Opu ole a*o nei (word of the day)

Fale

A fale in Samoan is a traditional house or building.

A fale is more than just a house — it’s a central place for family life, gatherings, and ceremonies. Different types of fale are used for different purposes, like:
Fale tele – large meeting house
Fale moe – sleeping house

Image: Auckland library Heritage

Talofa lava! 🌺At Little Sunbeams, we are proud to celebrate Samoan Language Week, embracing the rich culture, language, ...
01/06/2026

Talofa lava! 🌺
At Little Sunbeams, we are proud to celebrate Samoan Language Week, embracing the rich culture, language, and traditions of Samoa. Throughout the week, our tamariki will explore Samoan songs, stories, and greetings, fostering a sense of respect, inclusion, and cultural awareness. This special celebration provides an opportunity for our centre to honour the vibrant Samoan community and support our children in becoming confident, culturally connected learners.

Below is some common phrases we can use
Manuia le Vaia*o o le Gagana Samoa!

A provocation is a thoughtfully arranged invitation to play and explore. It is designed to spark children’s curiosity, i...
18/05/2026

A provocation is a thoughtfully arranged invitation to play and explore. It is designed to spark children’s curiosity, imagination, and inquiry without directing them toward a single “right” outcome. Provocations encourage open-ended learning, allowing children to lead their own discoveries through hands-on experiences.

The use of natural elements like leaves introduces children to sea*onal change and brings the outdoors inside, which is especially valuable when weather limits outdoor play. The addition of fake grass provides a soft, textured base that enhances the sensory experience, inviting children to touch, feel, and explore.

Hiding small duck figurines within the leaves adds an element of surprise and discovery. Children are naturally drawn to searching and finding, which supports problem-solving skills, persistence, and concentration. As they uncover the ducks, they may begin to create their own narratives—perhaps imagining the ducks hiding from the rain or playing in the leaves. This supports language development, storytelling, and symbolic play.

This provocation also encourages fine motor development as children use their hands to move and sift through the leaves. Social interaction may emerge as children collaborate, share their findings, or create group stories. Educators can extend the learning by asking open-ended questions such as, “Where do you think the ducks are hiding?” or “What might the ducks be doing in the leaves?”🍂

Today we celebrate all of our incredible Sunbeam māmā, Nans & mother figures 🤍To the mums who say goodbye each morning w...
09/05/2026

Today we celebrate all of our incredible Sunbeam māmā, Nans & mother figures 🤍

To the mums who say goodbye each morning with a brave smile, who trust us with their most precious taonga, and who pour endless love into their tamariki — we see you.

You are their safe place, their teacher, their comfort, and their biggest cheerleader. Even on the hardest days, your love never wavers, and that is something truly special.

Thank you for allowing us to be part of your child’s journey. It is a privilege to walk alongside your whānau, to nurture, guide, and celebrate your little ones as they grow.

We hope today you feel appreciated, loved, and proud of the amazing job you are doing — because you really are doing an incredible job.

Happy Mother’s Day 💐

24/04/2026

Wrapping up the week with Anzac biscuits and scones to share with the tamariki.
We hope you all have a great weekend & reminisce about your loved ones
Kia pai te mutunga wiki

LEST WE FORGET 🌺

THE ANZAC BISCUITOn ANZAC Day, foods like Anzac biscuits and scones aren’t just treats—they carry meaning connected to r...
23/04/2026

THE ANZAC BISCUIT

On ANZAC Day, foods like Anzac biscuits and scones aren’t just treats—they carry meaning connected to remembrance, care, and history.

🍪 Anzac biscuits

Anzac biscuits are the most symbolic:

- They were originally made by wives and families of soldiers during World War I.
- The ingredients (like oats, golden syrup, and no eggs) were chosen because they lasted a long time without spoiling, so they could be sent overseas to troops.
- Today, they represent:
* Love and support from home
* Resilience and resourcefulness
* A direct connection to the soldiers (ANZACs) who served

🫓 Scones

Scones don’t have the same direct wartime origin but are still meaningful:

- They are often shared at morning teas and community gatherings on ANZAC Day.
They represent:
* Coming together as a community
* Hospitality and remembrance
* A chance to share stories and reflect after dawn services

Anzac Cove is a small but historically powerful beach on the Gallipoli Peninsula, where the Australian and New Zealand A...
23/04/2026

Anzac Cove is a small but historically powerful beach on the Gallipoli Peninsula, where the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed on 25 April 1915 during the Gallipoli Campaign.

Why Anzac Cove is important

-It was the main landing site for Australian and New Zealand troops at dawn on Anzac Day.
-The landing was meant to be further north, but strong currents and navigation errors brought soldiers to this narrow, steep coastline.
-The area was difficult to fight in, with cliffs and ridges occupied by Ottoman Empire forces.
-Many soldiers lost their lives here, making it a symbol of bravery, sacrifice, and hardship.

What happened there

-Troops came ashore under heavy fire and had to climb steep hills like Plugge’s Plateau.
-Fighting continued for months in harsh conditions (heat, flies, limited water).
-The campaign eventually ended in evacuation in December 1915.

Why it matters today

-Anzac Cove is now a place of remembrance, especially on ANZAC Day.
-Thousands of people travel there each year for dawn services to honour those who served and died.

ANZAC DAY 3DID YOU KNOW? The poppy is a powerful symbol of remembrance for Anzac Day and for soldiers who served and die...
22/04/2026

ANZAC DAY 3

DID YOU KNOW?

The poppy is a powerful symbol of remembrance for Anzac Day and for soldiers who served and died in wars.

🌺 What the poppy represents

Remembrance – honouring those who lost their lives in wars.
Sacrifice – recognising what soldiers gave for their country.
Respect – showing gratitude for their service.
Hope – a wish for peace and a better future.

🌺 Why a poppy?

The symbol comes from the World War I battlefields, especially in places like Flanders, where:
Bright red poppies grew in the soil after battles.
They became a symbol of life continuing after loss.

This was made famous by the poem
“In Flanders Fields”, which describes poppies growing among soldiers’ graves & described them as resilient, red flowers growing over soldier graves, symbolizing sacrifice, blood, and regeneration.

🌺 In New Zealand

People wear red poppies leading up to Anzac Day to:
Remember the soldiers from Gallipoli and other wars
Show support for veterans and their families

Day 2 of ANZAC DID YOU KNOW?⚔️ The Gallipoli Campaign* Took place during World War I (1915–1916).* Fought on the Gallipo...
21/04/2026

Day 2 of ANZAC

DID YOU KNOW?

⚔️ The Gallipoli Campaign
* Took place during World War I (1915–1916).
* Fought on the Gallipoli Peninsula in modern-day Turkey.
* The Allies (including Britain, France, Australia, and New Zealand) tried to capture the area from the Ottoman Empire.

🪖 ANZAC Landing
* ANZAC troops landed on April 25, 1915 — now remembered as ANZAC Day.
* They landed at what is now called Anzac Cove.
* The landing was difficult because of steep cliffs and strong enemy resistance.

⚠️ Conditions and Challenges
* Soldiers faced:
* Extreme heat and cold
* Limited food and water
* Disease (like dysentery)
* Constant gunfire and trench warfare

Address

107 Duchess Crescent And 502 Southampton Street
Hastings
4120

Opening Hours

Monday 7:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 7:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 7:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 7:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 7:30am - 5:30pm

Telephone

068783055

Website

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