Our Programme
We cater for children aged 2 to
five years. The day has a light structure with children having a
morning mat time in their age groups and then choosing activities.
After lunch we have a quiet time when some children sleep and others
rest while listening to a story or some music.
Inside activities include puzzles, a house corner, dress-ups,
construction toys, a reading corner, a computer area and a range of
activities that vary from day to day.
Under the verandah children can go to the art area or to the carpentry
tables. We have some cafe blinds that provide shelter but allow plenty
of light and a sense of spaciousness.
Outside we have an adventure playground with swings and slides and
climbing frames and boxes. There is also a bridge that sometimes
becomes a ship’s deck, a mountain pass or a bridge to
nowhere. A large roof provides shelter to our sandpit and a deck area
so that children can be out in the fresh air without getting wet when
it rains.
We have recently constructed a raised-bed vegetable garden and have put
some child-size BBQ tables beside it. We have also added a worm farm
and are planning to plant some incredible edible fruit trees as well.
This makes a lovely area for lunching and it exposes the children to
ideas about growing things. Perhaps they are also learning about
Auckland’s cafe culture!!
We try to have all children visit the farm at least once each week and
most visit more often than this. The children love the animals and
develop great confidence as they eventually allow some animals to eat
from their hands. Riding horses or taking a tractor ride are
the ultimate for some children.