LATEST STORIES

Where culture thrives!

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Welcome back Beststart whanau in year 2022. We are so excited and happy to have such an amazing community who have been staying strong and united with consistent outbreaks of COVID 19. We have been having great response from our parents/whanau who back with their children in their individual rooms. We also welcomed many new children in the beginning of the year with diverse cultures. As our centre gets strengthened with enriched culture and language our goal is to support our children and whanau needs and aspirations through daily routines and rituals that enhances child’s learning opportunities and capabilities.

Furthermore, teachers work as a team to build the trust and relationship while getting to know and learn about children's culture and identity. We use basic words from the children’s home language to communicate with the child and support their interest and needs. Through consistent support and communication with parents and whanau, children feel a sense of belonging and security.  According to the National Education and Learning Priorities “to maintain high aspirations for each tamariki it is important that we partnering with whanau and community to design and deliver education that responds to their needs and sustains their identity, language and culture”.

As we continue to experience warm and humid weather, children are keen to explore and play with water, sand and outdoor natural environment. This also support children to understand its properties through different opportunities. Sand and water play a significant role in the development of our children that gives them the chance to play and have fun in the outdoors, while experimenting, learning, and building on their vital skills. Water and sand play creates countless benefits for children in the areas of physical, mental, and emotional growth.

According to Te Whariki being close to nature is the key to the health and wellbeing of our children. The more time children spent outdoors, the more likely they are able to connect with the environment and their natural surroundings. Through these children may also be able to express their respect for the natural world in terms of respect for Papatūānuku, Ranginui and atua Māori. Certainly, exploring nature helps children to relax and keep the smile all day.

To learn more about BestStart's 16 areas of play, visit: https://centres.best-start.org/16-areas-of-play-home/