Our Centre
We have three learning spaces that cater for children from birth to school ages - Rūma Tui, Rūma Kiwi and Rūma Pukeko. All of our learning spaces have large indoor areas and plenty of space for outdoor play.
Rūma Tui
Our purpose built Rūma Tui has been designed with infants and toddlers in mind. Here our youngest children experience care as a curriculum as they develop bonds with their key kaiako.
The calm atmosphere creates a home away from home for our youngest tamariki where they feel safe to play and explore.
We follow each child’s individual routine from home ensuring the transition between home and our centre is as smooth as possible.
Our infants and toddler are allowed to unfold naturally at their own pace. We believe that a child meets their ‘milestones’ best when left to do this on their on. With this in mind, we do not put children on their stomach or sit them up until they have learnt these skills on their own.
Rūma Kiwi
Rūma Kiwi is one of our rooms for children aged two and over.
The focus in this room is fun while each child is extended to reach their full potential in the spacious indoor and outdoor areas.
Children spend the majority of their day in free play, exploring the large indoor and outdoor areas that are setup to allow them to develop their skills while having fun.
Rūma Kiwi Routine
7.30am - 9.15am
Free Play/Settling Time
Children arrive at the centre and are greeted by the teachers. They then choose what they want to do - maybe build block towers, play on the swings or in the sandpit or do one of the settling activities that have been set up by the teachers.
9.15am - 11.30am
Free Play
Children are free to play in their own way both inside the classroom and in the outdoor space. During this time children we have rolling kai, where tamariki are invited to come inside and eat.
11.30am
Whanau Time
Children (and teachers) clean up from their busy morning and then have whanau time. Our teachers take turn leading mat time where they read stories, sing and encourage the children to participate in fun activities that help them to learn things such as their colours and numbers. Children who do not wish to participate in whanau time are able to select a quiet activity, such as puzzles, to play with during this time.
11.45am
Lunch Time
After children wash their hands they sit inside at tables to eat. After they have eaten children are allowed to go and play.
12.15 - 2.15pm
Free Play/Sleep Time
Children are free to play as they wish. This is usually the time that the children who need a sleep are put down.
2pm
Story Time
Children get a chance to wind down as they enjoy a few stories.
After washing their hands, children sit outside (weather permitting) on the deck and have their afternoon tea.
2.15pm
Kai Time
3.30pm
Free Play
Children from the Rūma Pukeko join us again and everyone has more free play.
4pm
Late Afternoon Snack
Children are given another opportunity to eat (after all, all this play is hard work!). Some parents opt to send their child’s dinner for them to eat at this time.
4pm - 5.15pm
Free Play
Children finish off their day by keeping busy with the many play options.
Rūma Pukeko
Rūma Pukeko has been set up for young children and preschoolers. We believe that routines benefit children and so every day runs along a similar format. Whanau times are a time where children enjoy songs, dancing, and stories.
We believe that helping children to prepare for the next challenge of school is important. Children are encouraged to become independent by getting themselves dressed and look after their belongings. Children are also supported with social competences, where they learn skills to support their interactions with others.
Our programme is designed to incorporate early literacy and numeracy skills into our everyday practice. This way they learn in a fun way, which enables them to be responsible for their own learning. Therefore they become confident and competent learners. Supporting each child’s interests and urges is one of the many ways in which we encourage learning.
The majority of the children’s day is spent learning through play, and the large outdoor and indoor environments are setup every day, to ensure children are challenged and supported while having fun.
Rūma Pukeko Routine
7.30am - 8.15am
Free Play
Children arrive at the centre and are greeted by the teachers. Children spend this part of the morning in the Rūma Kiwi. This is a great way for them to develop skills such as compassion as they interact with younger children.
8.15am - 9.40am
Pukeko Room Opens
At 8.15 the Rūma Pukeko opens for the day. The tamariki now are able to choose to play in their own room or in the adjacent outdoor space.
9.40am
Whanau Time
We gather together to start our day, enjoy music and stories.
10.00am
Kai Time
Children wash their hands then sit outside at tables (weather permitting) and eat. As children finish eating, they are free to go and play (after they have put their lunchbox away).
10.20am - 12.15pm
Free Play
As above, children are free to play in their own way.
12.15pm
WhanauTime
A different teacher runs this whanau time, which is similar to the one earlier in the day.
12.30pm
Lunch Time
Again, children wash their hands then sit at tables to eat. When children have finished eating, they go and play.
1.00pm - 2.30pm
Free Play
Children are free to play as they wish. If your child still has an afternoon sleep, they are taken to the Rūma Kiwi for this.
2.30pm
End of Day Tidy up and Story Time
Children take responsibility for the day’s activities and tidy up their play areas before a chance to wind down and enjoy a few stories.
2.45m
Kai Time
After washing their hands, children sit outside (weather permitting) on the deck and have their afternoon tea. When they have finished their afternoon tea children pack their bags ready to move to the Rūma Kiwi.
3.30pm
Rūma Pukeko Closes/Free Play in the Rūma Kiwi
Rūma Pukeko now closes and any children still here head back over to the Kiwi Room to finish their afternoon. Again, they get to interact with the younger children and possibly play with the friends they had when they were in the Rūma Kiwi.
4.00pm
Late Afternoon Snack
Children are given another opportunity to eat (all this play is hard work!). Some parents opt to send their child’s dinner for them to eat at this time.
4.00pm - 5.15pm
Free Play
Children finish off their day by keeping busy with many play options.