Our curriculum

Introducing our curriculum and programme
At Kidsfirst Kindergartens, our early childhood education programme provides a variety of experiences for your child, so that they can learn to make sense of their world. It is important that children embrace new challenges, that they learn to co-operate with others and set goals for themselves, assisted by qualified teachers. These experiences help expand their knowledge skills and attitudes and assist with a smooth transition to school.

Our curriculum
We follow an observation and assessment system, based on the principles outlined in Te Whaariki.

The four principles of Te Whaariki:

  • Empowerment – children will be empowered to learn and grow
  • Holistic development – children’s intellectual, social, cultural, physical, emotional and spiritual learning is interwoven across all their experiences
  • Family and community – a child’s family/whanau and community are recognised as part of the learning experience
  • Relationships – children learn through positive relationships with people, places and things.

Interwoven with the principles are these five strands:

  • Well-being – the ability to set and achieve goals, be resourceful, self-monitor and take responsibility
  • Belonging – the ability to interact and contribute to a range of communities
  • Contribution – the ability to relate to others and work co-operatively, to act considerately and to manage conflict
  • Communication – the ability to understand and use language and knowledge
  • Exploration – the ability to think both creatively and logically.

Every child is unique and Te Whaariki takes into consideration the strengths and requirements of individual children.

At Kidsfirst Kindergartens we support the Ministry of Education’s aspiration statement for children:
“To grow up as competent and confident learners and communicators, healthy in mind, body and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging and in the knowledge that they make a valued contribution to society.”

Our teaching programme
At Kidsfirst Kindergartens we believe that children learn best when they are engaged in active play. We offer a safe learning environment where your child is encouraged to interact, explore and make decisions. We’ll work with your child on an individual basis, as well as in group activities to develop your child’s interests and abilities.

When your child first becomes a ‘kindy kid’ we gather information about them from their enrolment form. We then make observations and assessments that allow us to better meet the individual educational and social needs of your child. We are happy to share a copy of our assessment policy with you.

There are several aspects to our teaching programme:

  1. The Core Programme
    Consists of a wide range of activities provided daily by our teachers. Each core activity in the kindergarten has been chosen to provide your child with a variety of skills.

    Included in the core programme are:
    • Music and movement
    • Language and literature
    • Science and nature
    • Art and painting
    • Carpentry and construction
    • Physically active play
    • Sensory activities
    • Sand and water
    • Maths
    • Collage
    • Puzzles and blocks
    • Dramatic play
    • ICT (computers, digital cameras).

     
     
  2. The Emergent Curriculum
    This is based on activities that result from your child’s interests and investigations. By focusing on a particular topic or activity that is of special interest to them, your child is able to expand their learning and understanding.
     
  3. Programme Planning
    Our teaching staff gain an appreciation of the activities that inspire children through observing their learning. The teachers then provide activities that broaden your child’s learning and development within the kindergarten setting. This often includes ‘planting the seeds’, and providing the opportunities, and supporting the children themselves to drive the learning activities.
     
  4. Individual and group learning
    The ultimate objective is a unique learning programme designed specifically for your child, which will provide opportunities for group and individual learning. Children gain important experiences through participating in a group. Teachers design activities that widen your child’s learning and development within group sessions.

Profile book
As part of our assessment process, your child will be given their own profile book so we can record their progress. The profile book contains learning story assessments, activities your child has taken part in, photos of your child and their friends, samples of your child’s art work and other anecdotal information.

Children contribute to their own profile book and take a real sense of pride in it. The profile book is a great way to record the experiences that your child has at kindergarten. We invite you to take your child’s book home and add your own stories too.

Children with special needs and Te Whaariki
At Kidsfirst Kindergartens our curriculum is appropriate for all children. Children with special needs will be fully included and educated within the framework of Te Whaariki and extra support may be accessed.