The last two months have been a little unsettling at times due to lock downs and returning to Kindy amongst unsettling times. Our tamariki and kaiako have managed it all well and while it is a challenging time, we have been able to support each other and deepen our connections and sense of whanaungatanga. Coming together over the last couple months either in the centre or on our StoryPark online learning has been positive and encouraging. During lockdown we had a lot of fun experiences for all to be involved with, such as music days where we made homemade instruments and celebrated the music of nature with pictures or videos from walks around our own neighbourhoods. Getting active, especially working out how to do so with all the rain we had over the month we were at home, was a good challenge. There were bridge building challenges, inside obstacle course challenges as well as ways to be active in new ways and using exercise equipment in new ways all of which created some fun and entertaining videos. During this lockdown we were able to name our chickens and these names were creative and appropriate, Luca, Cruella, Lavender Rose and Nugget.

Once we returned to Kindy everyone was super excited to see each other and quickly we heard stories that were either made up or real and sometimes a mixture of both. Our focus then changed from focusing on manaakitanga where we were supporting our new tamariki and kaiako to understand the heartbeat of BestStart Pipiwai Kindy to embracing and learning about Te Whare Tapa Wha. This framework we have begun to implement where we are talking with tamariki about the things that fill them up and how they are able to find joy in the middle of a stressful time. Caring for themselves before they can care and show positive manaakitanga to others.

A big part of the heartbeat of BestStart we love being kaitiaki of our environment. Prior to lock down we sowed some seeds; corn, spring onions and carrots. Due to them being situated in the warmest part of our centre it didn’t take them long to germinate and so at the end of September we were able to plant them in the main garden. However, we first needed to remove the flowers that had begun to wither but this was not a problem as our ever-hungry chickens gobbled them up before it was time for lunch. Once every seedling was planted, we were able to water the gardens with the seaweed juice we had been making. Thanks to one of our families who went out to the beach and gathered seaweed for themselves got some for us too. After a couple days soaking in our water trough, we were able to get everyone to help give the seedlings and plants some delicious food. Fortunately, we had enough tamariki to water the grass too as our hungry rabbit, Butter needs grass to munch on. After planting our seedlings, we had pots available for our next batch and this time we planted sunflower seeds. As the weather has warmed up quite considerably, we have seen the seeds germinate quickly and so have had to make sure they are well watered to make sure they grow tall and strong. As September is Bee month, we have been learning a lot about bees and how we can support them in what they need. We learned how to name some of the parts of the bee in te reo as well as some of the other items connected to bees. During this time, we noticed a lot of tamariki were really interested in literacy, which was displayed by writing, drawing, telling stories, using loose parts to express ideas and imagination. There has also been an increased interest and desire to participate in mat times, especially when saying our centre’s pepeha, karakia and leading waiata. All this combined has helped support our new focus around Te Whare Tapa Wha as we have been able to use that interest as the focal point for the overall topic.

Our mud pit is continually a favourite place to play and tamariki are now confident to be able to set that space up and make sure kaiako fill up the bucket so that they can wash their feet when finished. Our

October school holiday programme kept tamariki coming in and with pet days and having visits from whanau sharing their rabbits and goats made it all the more special. The most favourite day for our tamariki is always bike day where anything with wheels is welcomed. This bike day again we saw how tamariki who didn’t have a wheeled vehicle from home was able to share with someone who did – a beautiful display of our manaakitanga heartbeat.

Over the last month we have also welcomed new toddlers to our whanau in the form of siblings. It has been really lovely to see how they have been adopted easily into the rhythm of Kindy life. Their older siblings are ever present and happy to help and display manaakitanga towards their younger siblings. This has created many wonderful opportunities for not only the older siblings but their friends as well to practice and embrace the role of tuakana. Sadly, we also saw a few of our tamariki graduate and head off to school. It is always a bitter/sweet moment as we know they will be capable and confident in their new journey but as we have spent a lot of time with these beautiful tamariki they have become part of our whanau. As we now celebrate another successful lockdown and return to level two, we are excited to see where we go with our focus and reconnect with all our amazing and b