{"id":20,"date":"2023-08-01T04:06:46","date_gmt":"2023-08-01T04:06:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/littlefernsrolleston.co.nz\/?page_id=20"},"modified":"2026-02-26T05:18:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T05:18:00","slug":"our-learning-programme","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/littlefernsrolleston.co.nz\/?page_id=20","title":{"rendered":"Our Learning Programme"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>
\"Image\"<\/span><\/span>

Our Learning Programme<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/svg><\/span>

Our Curriculum<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Our learning programme is based on Te Wh\u0101riki , New Zealand\u2019s early childhood curriculum.<\/p>\n

To make your child's introduction to learning and formal education fun and enjoyable we use a mixture of structured and play based learning incorporating as much nature guided learning as possible. Each child\u2019s learning journey will be guided by their child's natural abilities and interests.<\/p>\n

As caregivers you will be kept up to date and be able to contribute to your child's progress and learning through Storypark - a learning application. This is also how we will share information, newsletters and updates.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

\"Image\"<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/svg><\/span>
\"Playing<\/span><\/div>

Our Child Ratios<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
We aim to provide low teacher to child ratios in all of our rooms.\u00a0 In our Koru room we have a 1:4 ratio, the Pikopiko room a 1:8 and the Ponga room a 1:10.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/svg><\/span>

Our Operating Hours<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

We are open from 7.30am - 5.30pm weekdays and closed on public holidays.\u00a0 Enrolment is offered on a weekly basis for a minimum booking of 6.5 hours and require two days per week. If you haven't already the best way to enrol is through our website, if you have any questions please email or phone us.<\/p>\n

.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/svg><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Settling in<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

We want our tamariki to settle in and feel welcomed at Little Ferns as quickly as possible so we work closely with caregivers and offer settling in visits prior to attending. It doesn't take long before they feel confident and excited about coming to the Little Ferns.<\/p>\n

For settling, we encourage 3-6 visits prior to their first day usually over 1-2 weeks. The first few visits will be one hour long, with you staying with your child as they explore their new surroundings as well as taking the opportunity to discuss your child's routines, development and personality.<\/p>\n

From the third visit onwards, we recommend these to be about two to three hours long, and we encourage you to leave your child with us for that time.<\/p>\n

For our\u00a0<\/span>oldest children, we have implemented a transition to school programme: He Ara ki te Kura - A Pathway to<\/em> School<\/em>. This programme aims to support our oldest tamariki as they prepare for the important transition to kura\/school.<\/p>\n

Through He Ara ki te Kura, we focus on developing key foundational skills - social, emotional, cognitive, and physical, that help set children up for success as they take their next big step into the school environment.<\/p>\n

This initiative is a consistent part of our daily rhythm for our older Ponga tamariki and includes a range of age-appropriate learning experiences that foster independence, confidence, early literacy and numeracy, and self-help skills. The programme has been thoughtfully crafted to be both engaging and meaningful, honouring the individual strengths and interests of each child.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/svg><\/span>

FAQ<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

What to bring<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

We take care of as much as we can for families that attend the centre but please bring along a few changes of clothes and a wet bag, a water bottle, sunhat, any milk and bottles required, and a cuddly if needed for sleep. We take care of food, nappies, wipes and sunblock. We also ask if you could please apply sunblock before or as you drop your child off, in case they scoot outside as soon as they arrive.<\/p><\/div>

Absences<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Please phone or email the centre as soon as possible if your child is going to be absent for the day.<\/p><\/div>

Sickness<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Please phone to advise the centre if your child is unwell and has constant or coloured discharge from the eyes, ears, or nose, fever, rash, persistent cough or strep throat, vomiting or diarrhoea within the last 48 hours. \u00a0Any other diseases as outlined by the Ministry of Health guidelines.<\/p>\n

If your child develops any of these symptoms while at Little Ferns, they will be considered infectious and will be isolated and you will be contacted to come and collect your child. They can return as per our Centre Health Policy with guidance from Ministry of Health Infectious Illness Guidelines and\/or after a Doctor has given them a Medical Certificate stating they are fine to return to the centre.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/svg><\/span>
We strive to empower our tamariki to be resilient life-long learners by nurturing ourselves, each other and the environment through kindness<\/span><\/div>