The Traveling Teacher

Our outside classroom is taking beautiful shape thanks to NomadNess. Ouma Kaap is making the protective table covers.

Over the last year, we have had a number of changes to the garden. The soil is much richer, many MANY earthworms and a couple of design changes. Loving the progress and current version.
And loving that the ducks come hang out too🤍🤎💚

In our Learning Community, Learning is built around conversations, movement, play, relationships, curiosity, problem-solving and emotional regulation

What if school readiness isn't about asking whether children are "ready"... but whether we're recognising the foundations that help them thrive?

A recent UK report found that 37% of children were not considered "school ready" when they started school.

Rather than seeing this as a reason for concern or blame, we see it as an opportunity.

Every child arrives at school with their own unique strengths, experiences and developmental journey. Our role isn't to compare children against a checklist, it's to understand where they are, celebrate what they can already do, and intentionally grow the skills that will help them flourish.

Research consistently tells us that the foundations for learning include so much more than letters and numbers.

They're built through conversations, movement, play, relationships, curiosity, problem-solving, emotional regulation and the countless everyday moments children experience with the adults who care for them.

The exciting part?

These skills can be nurtured, fostered and developed.

When we understand the developmental foundations that sit beneath learning, we can better support children to become confident, capable learners, whether they're at home, in early childhood education or at school.

We think it's time to broaden the conversation around "readiness"
Because school readiness isn't about getting children to fit school.
It's about understanding children, building on their strengths, and giving every child the best possible foundations to learn, belong and thrive.

we'd love to hear your thoughts. What does "school readiness" mean to you, what does it look like?

“Te iwi e” means the people, and this piece is often sung to remind communities of their shared strength and responsibility toward one another. In Māori tradition, singing is not just performance. It's storytelling, memory, and connection passed down through generations.”

The Fundamentals, New Zealand • Te Iwi E by Pariare Tomoana The Fundamentals from New Zeland perform Pariare Tomoana's "Te Iwi ...

This is how our littlelies learn.