Young Children's/Preschoolers' Programme

This area operates alongside the infants' & toddlers' area, offering a mixed age setting for children from 2 years of age to school entry. There are five qualified teachers who are supported by the teachers' aid, with ratios of one teacher to six children.

Daily programme

Our teaching philosophy is: learning is a journey we take as one with many. It is our role as teachers to capture and provide experiences throughout the day that support and promote a child’s learning. The teaching team plan and prepare learning experiences based on the group's current interest, parent input and child voice. The teachers capture these interests and extend on their learning which we refer to as 'teachable moments'.

Our daily programme below is a guide and always allows for flexibility to support our teaching philosophy. We record daily events on the whiteboard and our displays in the centre will keep you informed with what’s been happening at the centre. Parents are encouraged to share what has been happening at home on our special parent voice board to support the link between the home and our centre.

	8.00am	Teachers set up and daily planning
	8.45	Arrivals - greeting and settling
	9.00	Indoor & outdoor free play
	9.45	Whāriki time
	10.00	Morning tea available
	10.30	Indoor & outdoor free play
	11.30	Whāriki time
	11.45	Preparation for lunchtime
		Younger children having lunch
	Midday	Lunchtime - with own lunchboxes
	1.00	Children leaving & arriving
		Indoor & outdoor free play
	2.00	Tidy up - afternoon tea available
	2.45	Whāriki time
	3.00	Children leaving
		Indoor & outdoor free play
	4-5.00pm	Pack up, children leaving
		CENTRE IS CLOSED AT 5pm

Young children's/preschoolers' Environment

The indoor and outdoor environments, as with the under two’s, are set up to reflect family values that support the reciprocal learning that occurs between older and younger children. The children are free to explore their environment and provide their own child lead learning experiences together with support and direction from the teachers. Respect and responsibility is a strong focus within the centre. This is reflected not only in the reciprocal learning and care of each other but also the physical environment that Aspiring Beginnings offers. Children are provided with a locker to store and take responsibility for their own belongings, as well as looking after their spacious surroundings, inside and out.

Kai time

When we sit down as a group for meal times the children take responsibility for setting up and clearing away with the support of older children and teachers. This is a valuable opportunity for social interaction and communication between children and teachers.

Whāriki time

Whāriki time is mat time. We sit together as one group or with children of similar age and share discussions, listen to stories, enjoy games, music and drama or in whatever direction the children may lead us! This is a great opportunity for children to gain confidence in planned or spontaneous fun group activities whilst building on skills that support the transition to school process.

Transition from ECE to local schools

As we are situated alongside Wanaka Primary School, we have a close relationship and support their transition to school program called ‘skybridge’. We are also supportive of transition with Holy Family School, Hawea Flat School and Tarras School.