Our Programmes

Curriculum

Our programme is based on Te Whäriki – The Early Childhood Curriculum’s (Ministry of Education) five strands of learning and development.

  • Well-Being: The health and well-being of children are protected and nurtured.
  • Belonging: children and families feel a sense of belonging.
  • Contribution: learning is equitable, and each child’s contribution is valued.
  • Communication: languages and symbols of our own and other cultures are promoted and protected.
  • Exploration: children learn through active exploration of the environment.

The programme will be implemented through a range of educational and fun activities, such as:

  • Books, storytelling, language/literacy games, music and movement, dancing and puppets.
  • Family and dramatic play, dress-ups and props.
  • Creative play: play dough, clay, painting, art and collage.
  • Manipulative play: blocks, puzzles, threading, construction sets.
  • Physical play: running, ball games, balancing and climbing equipment, sandpit.
  • Exploratory play: water, sand, science and nature, learning about the living world, and natural materials.
  • Constructive play: carpentry and junk play.
  • Cognitive games: Maths games and computers are for older age groups.

By incorporating the educational philosophy of Reggio Emilia, we endeavour to base our curriculum on principles of respect, responsibility, and community through exploration and discovery. Children are encouraged to follow their interests and express their ‘hundred languages’. Children learn through experiences of touching, moving, listening, and observing, with relationships at the core of learning as they develop bonds with staff and children and develop a relationship and understanding of their environment and resources around them.

Children learn alongside others and their teachers and are leaders of their learning. Children participate actively and become lifelong learners in this way by taking part in active research and discovery rather than purely being the target for instruction by teachers. The RIE approach is another way in which we show respectful care for our children. It is centred around our infants and babies and ensures that staff allow our youngest learners to develop at their own pace. They have opportunities throughout the day for uninterrupted play so they can master skills and develop their feelings and comprehension of the world around them and their impact on this, as well as their own abilities. We allow children to develop naturally and discover, building on their physical and cognitive skills daily in an inspiring and stimulating environment with caring and supportive staff.

Just Kidz recognises and follows NELP (National Education Learning Priorities) and embraces these objectives to meet the developing needs of our learners and our communities whilst maintaining a professional approach to Early Childhood Education and Development.

The programme is organised so that all children have times of the day that are directed activities (both group and individual -encouraging participation) and self-initiated discovery (free play). However, we do not fit children into our educational programme; we adjust our programme to meet the interests and needs of the children. Children’s experiences are captured in beautiful portfolios, which are available both in hard copy and online, as well as through daily diaries and newsletters, wall displays and models.

Cultural Awareness and Special Needs

The Centre is sensitive to each child's individual needs. If your child has any additional or special needs (e.g. dietary, cultural, medical, etc.), we would encourage you to speak to the Manager or Head Teacher about how we can best accommodate them. We view every child as unique and take great care to meet their cognitive, creative, social, emotional and physical needs.

Transition to School Group

We understand that the process of transitioning from early childhood to school can be a concern for some parents and children. At Just Kidz, we aim to make the process smooth by instilling skills in our young learners from the time they start at our Centre. As stated in our core curriculum, Te Whāriki, we believe in the competence & confidence of the young learners and build on these further through our daily programme.

For our young learners to be successful at school, we encourage skills such as:

  • Taking an interest & being curious.
  • Being involved, participating and taking turns.
  • Persisting with difficulty or challenge.
  • Expressing ideas & feelings, developing empathy towards others and developing inner confidence and self-esteem.
  • Taking responsibility and showing independence.

These skills are encouraged, praised and developed in children from the time they begin in the baby's room.

Moreover, at Just Kidz, the preschool routine is designed in a manner that provides a stimulating environment in preparation for school. Through the enquiry learning approach in programme planning, children are engaged in fun activities that encourage pre-numeracy (number, shape, weight, pattern, calculations, etc.) & pre-literacy skills, including a phonics programme as well as developing a love of story books/ reading and good communication/ listening skills. Science & technology, social skills, self-help skills, good concentration and problem-solving are all equally important aspects of our transition programme. Group work at this level and individual project work helps to develop children's concentration span and encourage them to think and problem solve, either working individually on skills or in teams. Across our Centres, staff build relationships with local feeder schools to assist in smooth transitions and to support the children in their next learning journey.

If you have any questions about our programmes or general enquiries about our childcare centres, the team at Just Kidz is happy to assist you.

Speak to the Team
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