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Our new Playground at BestStart Springlands!

In Rūma Tūī, prep room, Mokopuna waited excitedly as their playground got a makeover and new equipment arrived. Once the playground was transformed into an exciting new place to sit, read, run, jump, and play alongside their friends, they showed pataitai/kaitoro: challenging, curiosity, exploring, and risk-taking skills.

Mokopuna are critical thinkers, problem solvers, and explorers. Learning is valued at every opportunity and kaiako support Mokopuna through active exploration of their environments which helps them to learn through curiosity and inquiry. When the playground was finally completed, the Mokopuna went outside excitedly to investigate, explore, and have fun trying out the new equipment.

The most popular piece of equipment was the monkey bars where everyone patiently waited for their turn. One of the strands of Te Whāriki, our Early Childhood Curriculum, is Exploration/Mana aotūroa which states that children learn through active exploration of the environment. This also links well to our centre philosophy where we provide opportunities, experiences, and a responsive environment with intentional teaching moments.

It was so wonderful to have our learners involved in the brainstorming and health and safety of their new environment and we all can't wait to play on our new playground again!