Midway through term three already, hopefully we are starting to see

September
Newsletter
2012
Midway through term three already, hopefully we are starting to see
the back of this long and wet winter! For a minute there it was
looking like a good idea trading in the car for a boat, especially with
all the surface water laying around! Roll on sunshine I say. We have
definitely been grateful for our new outdoor weather curtains; they
have given us a little extra room on a rainy day. We also welcome
our new Wharenui - the children absolutely love it, their own little
get away from the winter weather.
Tui Room
What have the Tui room been up to lately? Art week- We have
been focusing on lots of creative play. Dye and crayons, finger painting, crazy painting and
marble painting.
We have been extending children’s interests by empowering their gross motor skills, climbing,
jumping and creating space for all of our babies who have started to crawl.
We had a great interest in our bodies. We learnt about our body parts, we drew around
ourselves and painted the outlines. We had our very own Tui emergency Room kitted out
with everything a Doctor would need. The fun part was listening to our hearts with the
stethoscope.
The biggest thing we have experienced this term is exploring our new playground with all its
new and exciting equipment which have provided us with many new challenges, especially for
our little risk takers.
We have been learning about our healthy heart options by being involved in heaps of music
and movement, dancing and exercising, stretching and jumping - learning to be fit and active.
Other things we have touched on are:
• Learning about our fruits in te reo
• Learning our numbers through singing songs involving counting
• Colours and shapes and numbers.
• Extending our amazing need for knowledge, our Tui children are so clever!!
•
Tricks of the trade
Each newsletter we will endeavour to find some interesting and helpful parenting facts to share
Nigel Latta
Here’s this terms tricks of the trade written by
Making Family Rules
Rules are good. Rules give you something to fall back on when you're lost for words. Rules give you some
basic pegs you can bang into the ground so that everyone knows what the limits are.
The trick here is keep it simple, basic, and positive.
You want between 3 to 5 rules, all one sentence long. Definitely no more than five because no one will
remember and it all becomes a bit redundant. Involve the kids in the writing of the family rules because if
everyone is involved then no one can complain afterwards. Always remember too that you are the
government, so whilst you might consult the little people, you don’t actually let them decide. Like all
politicians your job is to make the little people feel consulted even though you actually decide what the laws
will be.
Here is an example of the family rules we use in our house:
1. Treat people and things with respect
2. Talk nicely to people
3. Help out when asked
The idea with rules is to go for broad principles rather than specific content because this gives you the most
flexibility. The rules in the above example would cover every conceivable situation from attempting to set
fire to a younger siblings bike (clause 1) to calling your older brother a “fart head” (clause 1 and 2). If you
get into legislating every last little thing then everyone ends up having to hire lawyers. Keep it simple is the
rule of thumb for rules.
Once everyone has talked them through, and agreed on them, write them up and stick them on the fridge
for all to see.
Pukeko Room
We have been busy following the Olympics this
term, It was a very exciting time, we enjoyed
discussing all of the different sports and watched
intently, the New Zealand medal count!!. The
highlight was being invited down to Ohaupo Play
Centre to be part of their mini Olympics! We
walked down and joined in the festivities, had a
shared morning tea the celebrated a medal
ceremony. We loved every minute!! Have a look
at some of the photos. Thanks Ohaupo Play
Centre for having us!!
Also this term we were invited to visit Paterangi
School. So we eagerly headed off, we were
greeted by the Principle Mr Calver who showed
us the new entrants Room where we met all of
Room One and Mrs Wren. We had fun learning
about what happens at school followed by a
yummy morning tea. Thanks Paterangi School
for having us!!
Kea Group
As you know our Kea room opened up in the second term, this has been a highlight for the children,
especially the kea group. Some of the things we have been investigating are “The World of the Super
Small”. We recently purchased a digital microscope, wow what an eye opener- literally!!! The things
you can see when you have ‘super bionic vision’. Some of the fashionable objects to peer at were
scars and unhealed sores oohhh not recommended for those with faint stomachs.
At one point on a cold morning the children came across an innocent cricket meandering along the
path minding his own business. Wrong place, wrong time poor cricket, he was scooped up raced
inside and stuck under the microscope. Unfortunately the whole drama proved far too much for the
shy little cricket, he lost a leg, had stuff oozing from his ear, and to top it all off he accidently poohed
himself. Oh the shame and in front of an audience. What an intrigued audience it was too,
everybody was rushing to see, here are some of the spectators comments: “looks like poo, cricket
poo, kiwifruit green” I can see a jelly bean” The poos looks like diarrhoea”.
Other items which were put under the microscope were other un-suspecting insects, our skin, hair,
clothes, shoes, dirt, plants, and worms. Nothing really came close to the cricket poo? That was
sensational!
Our more recent investigations in the kea room have been shoes and feet. We have looked at shoe
types, sizes and makes. We have focused on who has the biggest or smallest feet, sole patterns and
shoe prints, and most interestingly horse shoes and what horses go through to get new shoes! Thank
goodness for our easy to apply footwear.
Amidst all of this detective work we have found time and opportunity for letter and number
recognition games, shape and colour work and extending our self-help skills.
What a term go the Kea group!!
The poo in question…….
Kelly Sports
As your wonderful children may have already told you, we have been having Kelly Sports come into the centre each week to run a keep
active and fit programme with our Pukeko room. The children really enjoy this time and look forward to joining in. Our aim is to have a
different outside activity each term, come into the centre for our children to take part in. Next term we may look at a music and movement
class. If you have any ideas please let us know and we will endeavour to look into it if we feel it will benefit the children and our centre
environment.
In the meantime here’s a little bit about Kelly Sports and what they do….
Kelly Sports has been providing sports clinics and in-school programmes to children in Australia since 1994. At the beginning of 2007 we
launched Kelly Sports in New Zealand offering a range of curricular and extra-curricular sporting programmes for schools, parents and
corporations. We have grown significantly in the past four years and have a fantastic team of Kelly Sports managers and coaches throughout
New Zealand.
Kelly Sports encourages kids to have fun, build confidence and to give sport a go. We are passionate about what we do because we believe
that sport has so much to offer young people. Sport and physical activity improves fitness, builds confidence, develops communication skills,
teaches respect and consideration and gives children a place to channel their energy.
All this leads to being better prepared for life.
In Other News….
Congratulations
to The Driver Family, Angela, Murray and Elijah on
the arrival of their new little baby boy Rocco!
Farewell
to Jorja who has left for school and Layla who will be leaving by the end
of the term, we wish you all the fun and learning for your journey ahead. Farewell to Megan and
Bianca who are making the move across the ditch to Perth. We will miss you all!
Enrolments We have limited spaces in both rooms at the moment and are offering
two weeks free to those who enrol before October.
Centre Review
We are asking parents to write a review for our website, all
you need to do is google…………….
Enter your review bring it in and receive a twenty dollar discount on your account. We really
appreciate your help. A big thank you to the parents who have already done so.
This term we are reviewing the following polices: Communication and
Consultation and Complaints Procedure. Please take the time to read
through this and if you would like to make any amendments please do
so by either talking with any of the staff or emailing us here at the
centre [email protected]
Communication and Consultation Policy
Rationale
Ohaupo Childcare Centre aims to make communication with parents as open, regular and informative as possible. We will ensure
that communication and consultation with each other and with Parents / whanau acknowledges and respects all parties’ values, needs
and aspirations. We recognise that while parents are interested in all aspects of the centre they are often restricted by time. We have
therefore put the following procedures in place to keep the lines of communication open.
Procedures With parents/whanau
On enrolment parents/whanau will be given an information book that will contain everything you need to know about the centre and
how they can be involved.
Teachers aim to verbally communicate with parents daily to discuss their Childs day and/or progress.
Parents/whanau are encouraged to participate in decision making regarding their child.
Parents/whanau will have access to written information relating to their child; the centres operational documents; and the most
recent Education Review Office reports regarding the service.
Parents/whanau of the children attending the centre will be provided with opportunities to contribute to the development and
review of operational documents (such as policies, philosophy, and centre procedures)
Clear guidelines are available for management, staff and parents/whanau to discuss concerns or complaints about the service.
Parents/whanau will be welcomed appropriately and will be encouraged to be an integral part of the centre.
Programming information regarding discovery projects and the children’s on going learning and development will be displayed
prominently in each unit for parents/whanau to read.
Portfolios are kept for each child to communicate information to parents/whanau about their contribution to discovery projects and
daily centre life. Parents/whanau are encouraged to add to their child’s portfolio using “celebrating an interest at home” forms.
There is a day book at reception for recording and communicating relevant daily information where parents can leave messages or
information for teachers to read
Parents/whanau will be kept informed through newsletters, information on centre notice board and parent evenings. Notices and
information will also be posted in the children’s individual notice pockets.
Our centre has an open door policy whereby parents/whanau are welcome at all times. Parents/whanau will have the opportunity of
discussing their concerns with staff and management, and will be listened to.
Teachers are bound by confidentiality and are not permitted to release any information concerning another child’s health or
behaviour.
With Teachers and Management
Management and teachers in consultation with parents/whanau will review the centre policies and philosophy
Teachers will take the primary responsibilities for implementing a quality curriculum; through assessment procedures which will
ensure that the quality early childhood practices are achieved.
Management and teachers will regularly monitor centre practices and policies to ensure quality early childhood education is offered to
the children attending.
Complaints Procedure
For parents and whanau
Rationale
Ohaupo Childcare Centre encourages parents and whanau to forward any concerns or issues
and feel confident that these concerns or issues will be acknowledged and dealt with.
Objective
The matter should be dealt with as soon as possible at a convenient time or place.
There is to be consistency and fairness in all procedures. Where possible, action should be
taken to prevent any further recurrence of the same problem.
Procedures
Issues should be taken directly to the teacher involved first. If there is no resolution at this
point then the following procedures apply:
Complaints will be received in writing only, and should be directed to the centre manager.
They will be acknowledged verbally on acceptance.
Documentation relevant to the issue at hand will be gathered and accurately recorded by the
centre manager.
Discussion will occur with all teachers involved before responding to the complainant.
Issues will be addressed in writing or during a parent meeting as soon as practically possible.
From here necessary actions will be taken if relevant.
Total confidentiality will be maintained throughout by management and teaching team if
necessary.
Anonymous complaints will not be actioned.
If the person is still unhappy after going through this process and the complaint is to do with
regulations they can contact the Ministry of Education on 07 8587130.
That’s about all the news we have for this
term. Yay can’t wait till the summer sun!!!!!
We will leave you with some pictures of
centre life.