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Portfolio
Staff enjoy assessing your child as an individual so we can understand and cater for your child's needs and interests. These interests and assessments are displayed in a portfolio which when full you and/or your child can take home. Each child's portfolio contains observations from and photos of their fun times and friends, and examples of their growth in art, mathematics, science, reading, writing, drama, physical activities and social development. We welcome parents' input to these assessments. At your child's assessment time you can set a time to meet with the staff member involved.
Although general observations occur all the time, full assessments occur twice a year. Assessments are also carried out on request. This is a very valuable tool for all children but especially for those children who have not attended a centre before or where English is a second language. It uncovers areas that your child may need additional assistance with. After observing the child, staff compile six goals for the programme based on these observations. This enables us to ensure a balanced development plan for your child. It is easier for Kiwicare to achieve these goals if your child attends every day of the week for a half day or a full day session. At any time we would welcome a visit from you at Kiwicare to discuss your child's progress.
Literacy and maths - 3 and 4 year olds
Kiwicare provides a strong educational programme to go with our happy and fun childcare service. The schools our children attend after Kiwicare are delighted with how well our children settle in and manage their new school lives.
Transition programme (to each age group and school)
From babies through to school age Kiwicare has a strong training and learning focus so that children become flexible and can adapt to new environments easily as they develop strong relationships with all staff and all aspects of the Kiwicare experience. There are developmental milestones reached by each child before they move to each new area at Kiwicare. These are explained to you and you are helped to ensure such transitions are accomplished easily. When you or the staff feel the child is ready to move into the older age group certain self help skills will be necessary for the move. For example, the 3 year old house does not have a nappy changing facility and therefore the child will need to be fully toilet trained to move areas. For readiness for school; the staff will support and encourage your child with reading and writing skills. They will focus on: how to write and recognise their name; how to write the letters of the alphabet; basic counting and grouping skills; and early literacy skills. This is all achieved in an interactive environment that is fun and interesting so all children love to learn.
Transition programme (to each age group and school)
From babies through to school age Kiwicare has a strong training and learning focus so that children become flexible and can adapt to new environments easily as they develop strong relationships with all staff and all aspects of the Kiwicare experience. There are developmental milestones reached by each child before they move to each new area at Kiwicare. These are explained to you and you are helped to ensure such transitions are accomplished easily. When you or the staff feel the child is ready to move into the older age group certain self help skills will be necessary for the move. For example, the 3 year old house does not have a nappy changing facility and therefore the child will need to be fully toilet trained to move areas. For readiness for school; the staff will support and encourage your child with reading and writing skills. They will focus on: how to write and recognise their name; how to write the letters of the alphabet; basic counting and grouping skills; and early literacy skills. This is all achieved in an interactive environment that is fun and interesting so all children love to learn.
Daily report (Nursery only)
Children under two are provided with a daily report. This includes information on sleep times, nappy changes, eating and also additional information items about their day so you know as much about what happened with your child as if they were in your own care. For children over two a list of daily nappy changes, toileting, menu, sleep and rest times is kept.
When you have time do have your child show you around the walls of the centre where your child's projects, pictures, mobiles and other interesting achievements will be displayed. Do also check the art folder for their latest masterpieces.
Promethean proACTIV Board
Kiwicare is the first childcare provider in New Zealand (and probably the world) to introduce the proACTIV board. It is a computerised 3 square metre whiteboard, with programmes for all areas of learning (reading, writing and maths), puzzles and fun. The board which is mounted on a wall has a limitless bank of programmes which allow the children and educators to access information and activities which extend the children's learning in any areas they choose. The children can physically interact with the board by using an electronic pen which enables them to move and draw items and write on the board.
Photos
Throughout the year we regularly take photos of the children as part of our programme reporting methods, observations and special event management. We use the material for curriculum development. Please check our web page regularly (www.kiwicarepreschool.co.nz) to see our latest happenings and photos of our current activities. As part of the Privacy Act 1993 we need to have your permission to take these photos. Your enrolment provides this permission unless you state otherwise.
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