WHAT TO EXPECT FROM DAILY LIFE AT ELC...
WHAT TO BRING EACH DAY
SETTLING IN
In the early years, it is vital that children are supported by positive learning experiences in an environment where they feel safe and comfortable. Effective and consistent settling in procedures will ensure that this is possible. It can take time for a child to get used to a new environment.
We encourage you to have a minimum of three transition visits before starting. The Centre Manager will discuss these with you when you come to enrol.
During the settling in process, you are welcome to call or txt to see how they are doing. We'll also keep you updated as best we can.
ARRIVAL
When bringing your child to ELC, please ensure that you bring your child into the building and safely left in the care of a teacher before you leave. Please remember to sign in via the iPad/tablet for the day.
DEPARTURE
When collecting your child you will need to sign them out via the iPad/tablet. For safety reasons we will only release your child into the care of people who have prior permission on their enrolment form.
- Clothing - Please provide two to three changes of clothes each day. We promote active and messy play all year round, so a few changes of warm and cool clothes are needed. Wool, merino, or polyprop is preferred for nature exploration.
- Footwear - Covered shoes, gumboots or sandals to support our active property exploration.
- Hats - Please provide a clearly named broad brimmed hat during terms 1 and 4, a warm woollen beanie during terms 2 and 3. You can either bring one in each day or leave it at ELC.
- School bag - Clearly named and easy for your child to carry themselves as they get older, to help encourage independence.
- Food - Please provide your child with a clearly named lunchbox with sufficient, nutritious food to last them the whole day they are booked at ELC. Keeping mind we have Morning Tea, Lunch and Afternoon Tea. We are a nut free centre so please no nuts in the food provided - this includes chocolate spreads, bliss balls and nut/muesli bars. We encourage litter-less lunchboxes as much as is practical for families.
- Drink - A clearly named drink bottle with water only will need to come to ELC in your child's bag, everyday.
- Medication (if needed) - We have a comprehensive child health policy. If your child needs medication either for a day or on an on-going basis, including homeopathy, natural, and herbal remedies, you will need to consult with the teaching team. All medications will need to be stored out of children's reach and administered with explicit permission first from parents/whānau. Please note, no paracetamol or ibuprofen is kept on site.
- Nappies - (if needed) send an adequate supply of disposable nappies each day in their bag, along with any creams (see child health policy). We don't currently have the facilities to support cloth nappies.
- Bottles - (if needed) if you breast feed we will support you to continue with your family routine. Alternatively you can bring in formula and a bottle for us to prepare or cows milk. If your child drinks only plant based milk, you will need to discuss this with the Centre Manager.
SETTLING IN
In the early years, it is vital that children are supported by positive learning experiences in an environment where they feel safe and comfortable. Effective and consistent settling in procedures will ensure that this is possible. It can take time for a child to get used to a new environment.
We encourage you to have a minimum of three transition visits before starting. The Centre Manager will discuss these with you when you come to enrol.
During the settling in process, you are welcome to call or txt to see how they are doing. We'll also keep you updated as best we can.
ARRIVAL
When bringing your child to ELC, please ensure that you bring your child into the building and safely left in the care of a teacher before you leave. Please remember to sign in via the iPad/tablet for the day.
DEPARTURE
When collecting your child you will need to sign them out via the iPad/tablet. For safety reasons we will only release your child into the care of people who have prior permission on their enrolment form.
COMMUNICATION
ELC aims to make communication and consultation with parents/caregivers as open, regular and informative as possible. We acknowledge the importance of ongoing communication and interaction between home and centre. Parents/caregivers are recognised as the prime educators and must be consulted and their views respected. We have therefore instigated a variety of communication/consultation means:
Communication is a key to success so please don’t hesitate to talk to your child's teacher or the Centre Manager.
SUPPORTING SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL COMPETENCE
ELC is committed to providing an environment that promotes safety and well-being (emotional, social, educational and spiritual) for all children. Virtues of character and values of love, kindness, and respect, and confidence are our daily goals. Teachers are required to model pro-social skills and respect at all times. Respect is a two way process. As we show children that they are worthy of respect, they learn to respect each other, and us in return. For more information see our Supporting social and emotional competence policy and procedure.
PORTFOLIOS / LEARNING STORIES
Each child will have a portfolio, where there will be a series of narrative observations called learning stories. These are a way to document and assess children’s learning. These stories enable the teachers at Changepoint ELC to reflect on children’s interests, strengths and gives ideas to plan for further experiences that will enhance their learning.
The portfolios are created two ways. The first way is online via a platform called Storypark. This platform enables you to contribute to learning in real time and to add those family members who live all over the world. You can download the app or use it on your computer. The second way is through a hard copy book that is kept in the child's classroom. This book contains more photos and artwork than writing and is a way that children can revisit their learning in meaningful ways.
The whānau voice is especially important to us at ELC and so we encourage you to contribute to the capturing of learning that happens at ELC and at home. This could be you adding a comment online or putting some photos in the book. Whatever it looks like for you we are excited to partner with you during this learning time for your child.
DAILY RHYTHM
8:45am ELC opens. Children arrive and are settled in for the day. There is a range of different indoor and outdoor activities set up to spark interest.
9am - 10.30am Morning whāriki (mat) times and morning kai (meal) times. Sleeps for smaller infants as needed.
10am - 12pm Learning through play with free choice of inside or outside and property exploration. Sleeps for smaller infants as needed.
11am - 1pm Midday whāriki times and lunch kai times.
12pm - 2.30pm Learning through play with free choice of inside or outside and property exploration. Sleeps/rest for children who need it.
2:30pm Afternoon whāriki times and afternoon kai times.
3:15pm ELC closed.
ELC aims to make communication and consultation with parents/caregivers as open, regular and informative as possible. We acknowledge the importance of ongoing communication and interaction between home and centre. Parents/caregivers are recognised as the prime educators and must be consulted and their views respected. We have therefore instigated a variety of communication/consultation means:
- Teachers aim to verbally communicate with parents/caregivers daily when their child is dropped off and picked up from the centre. We are aware that this can be a busy process and time can become a restriction.
- We also use a variety of social media platforms for communication such as Facebook, this website and Storypark.
- Parent education evenings are offered on an ad hoc basis throughout the year. We welcome suggestions for proposed topics.
- Written surveys or questionnaires on the sign in desks or around the classroom.
Communication is a key to success so please don’t hesitate to talk to your child's teacher or the Centre Manager.
SUPPORTING SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL COMPETENCE
ELC is committed to providing an environment that promotes safety and well-being (emotional, social, educational and spiritual) for all children. Virtues of character and values of love, kindness, and respect, and confidence are our daily goals. Teachers are required to model pro-social skills and respect at all times. Respect is a two way process. As we show children that they are worthy of respect, they learn to respect each other, and us in return. For more information see our Supporting social and emotional competence policy and procedure.
PORTFOLIOS / LEARNING STORIES
Each child will have a portfolio, where there will be a series of narrative observations called learning stories. These are a way to document and assess children’s learning. These stories enable the teachers at Changepoint ELC to reflect on children’s interests, strengths and gives ideas to plan for further experiences that will enhance their learning.
The portfolios are created two ways. The first way is online via a platform called Storypark. This platform enables you to contribute to learning in real time and to add those family members who live all over the world. You can download the app or use it on your computer. The second way is through a hard copy book that is kept in the child's classroom. This book contains more photos and artwork than writing and is a way that children can revisit their learning in meaningful ways.
The whānau voice is especially important to us at ELC and so we encourage you to contribute to the capturing of learning that happens at ELC and at home. This could be you adding a comment online or putting some photos in the book. Whatever it looks like for you we are excited to partner with you during this learning time for your child.
DAILY RHYTHM
8:45am ELC opens. Children arrive and are settled in for the day. There is a range of different indoor and outdoor activities set up to spark interest.
9am - 10.30am Morning whāriki (mat) times and morning kai (meal) times. Sleeps for smaller infants as needed.
10am - 12pm Learning through play with free choice of inside or outside and property exploration. Sleeps for smaller infants as needed.
11am - 1pm Midday whāriki times and lunch kai times.
12pm - 2.30pm Learning through play with free choice of inside or outside and property exploration. Sleeps/rest for children who need it.
2:30pm Afternoon whāriki times and afternoon kai times.
3:15pm ELC closed.
"Children are a gift from the Lord;
they are a reward from him."
Psalm 127:3
they are a reward from him."
Psalm 127:3
