Lanark House (3 – 5 years)
Our Environment
The centre environment is designed to promote independence, responsibility, self help skills and social development. Our large outdoor area allows this age group the space to run, kick balls, and play their favourite games.
We have a huge shaded sandpit and a barked area for the climbing and swinging activities that children enjoy. The children can choose what equipment they want to use and when.
We have our very own vegetable garden that the children are actively involved in. We go for walks to the nearby garden centre to buy our plants and get help with care of growing them. The children even came up with a solution to stop our centre bunny “Nibbles” from getting in and eating the veggies before we do!
The centre’s inside area has spaces for separate curriculum areas – science, art, literacy, dance and drama, computer, puzzles, blocks, family area and so on. This allows your children to choose where they want to play and learn.
This age group are constantly wanting to learn about our world and we believe the best way for this to happen is to let them explore, experiment and use their imagination at their own time and pace. The art creations the children make are just amazing!
During the day
We have two set group times during the day to extend your children’s learning and development and to help with their transition to school. The younger children’s session consists of early learning concepts of shapes, numbers and letters. This is achieved through games, stories, magnetic stories and other activities. The older children (Transition to School Group) are extended in pre maths, writing and reading skills to give your child a good head start before starting school.
We love taking the children out and about in the community. We are in walking distance to Kerikeri township so we can go to the local library weekly, post letters, visit the High School and Primary School, even go grocery shopping for our special cooking activities.
The Educators at Lanark House are dedicated and passionate about teaching your children. Three and four year olds want to know everything, so we (the Educators) learn new things everyday by trying to answer all their questions with them!
Portfolio
Each child has a portfolio which shows their learning and development through photos, learning stories, observations, child’s voice, adult voice and much more. The children really enjoy looking through these books and can recall special moments and memories. It’s a great keepsake for their 21st Birthday. We follow the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum – Te Whariki. We extend children’s learning through their interests, strengths and capabilities.
We supply healthy, nutritious cooked meals for this age group and in keeping with their age and stage. Furthermore the children at Lanark House serve their own meals as we believe that children of this age know how much they need to eat. However staff members are always on hand to help with these decisions. Please ensure we are always kept up to date on any allergies or food intolerance.
Almost everything we do at the centre is documented. You can find out how long your child has slept during the day, information on their nappy changes, and what they have eaten for the day. We show you where to find everything on your first visit.
If you would like to know more about our policies and procedures please take time to look at the links on this website. You may also call into the centre for copies. Our policies and procedures are reviewed annually.
What do you need to bring?
If your child is still in nappies please provide these. If your child is beginning the process of toilet training please let us know so we can support and follow through with this at the centre. Children need lots of changes of clothes here due to having lots of fun! Please ensure that all items are named so we can identify whose is whose! We also ask that you supply the centre with a named sunhat and winter hat that can stay at the centre.
Children bring a snack box for afternoon tea as this helps with the transition to school so children learn how to open up lunch boxes, packets, glad wrap and take responsibility for their own belongings.