Morena Whanau, Today our Whare Kakano room embarked on a very special milestone — our very first excursion beyond the centre!
There was a real buzz of excitement as our tamariki and kaiako prepared for a hikoi to the Warwick Drive Playground.
Together, we carefully packed everything we needed for our adventure. The tamariki showed patience and responsibility as we organised ourselves into our two trolleys, with our youngest pepi safe and snug in the pushchair.
With big smiles and eager feet, off we went! Along the way, our tamariki were curious observers of the world around them. We noticed cars driving past, people out and about in the community, and listened to the many sounds of our neighbourhood.
provided wonderful opportunities for conversation, questioning, and building an understanding of road safety and our wider environment. When we arrived at the playground, the excitement grew even more! Tamariki confidently explored the swings, zoomed down the slide, and challenged themselves on the different climbing equipment.
We saw perseverance, courage, and growing physical confidence as tamariki tested their abilities and supported one another. After our playground fun, we made our way to the open field where we kicked a ball, practised our running skills, and engaged in cooperative play.
There was so much laughter and encouragement shared among friends. By the time we began our hikoi back to the centre, we had some very tired and very hungry tamariki! This experience supported the development of gross motor skills, social competence, language development, and a growing sense of belonging within our community.
What a successful first excursion! We are so proud of the confidence, resilience, and enthusiasm shown by all our tamariki today. We can’t wait to head out on another adventure soon.