The Cat’s Pyjamas Rolleston

RIE/Pikler Approach

We respect our babies and toddlers as competent individuals with their own rhythms and preferences. This is reflected in our care moments where we include the child, ensuring they are an active participant. We work in partnership with families for the best outcomes for the child.

Environment

Our environment is tailored to the age, stage and interests of tamariki. The classroom is set up to encourage both teacher led and spontaneous learning opportunities that children can engage in. Our newly renovated outdoor environment has cosy nooks and ample space to explore. 

Socialising

We provide a primary caregiving system, where each child has their special teacher that they form a strong bond with and who looks after their overall needs and learning. All interactions in our classroom reflect empathy, responsiveness, and a commitment to fostering secure attachments, which promotes emotional well-being and autonomy. 

Activities

We give our infants and toddlers freedom to explore and develop at their own pace through self-directed learning. In our classroom we have all 16 areas of play available on a daily basis, alongside our music and movement sessions, sensory play exploration and a moving smart programme. 

Autonomy

In this age group children go through a stage of growing their independence. We support our tamariki through this by allowing them to explore their autonomy. We allow them to freely and independently explore the world around them, initiating their own learning and care moments and we encourage them to try new things.

Environment

Our classroom is set up to be a safe and secure environment where children can explore and take the lead. We provide resources that are appropriately designed for children to aide in fostering their independence. We have an expansive outdoor environment where we promote active movement through obstacle courses, bike tracks and physically active games.

Socialising

In the Kōwhai room children are discovering that they are their own person and what that means when interacting with others. At this stage tamariki are developing a lot of communication skills as they start to play with one another and navigate how to share their wants and needs.

Activities

Some of the daily learning experiences we offer include construction, role play and dress ups, sensory and messy play and art which we tie in to the current interests of the children.

Set for School

In the Manuka classroom we prepare tamariki for primary school with our extensive Set for School programme.

Our eldest children spend time in our Set for School space practicing their literacy and numeracy skills with our dedicated Set for School teacher, along with special responsibilities to foster independence.

Environment

Our environment is set up with the 16 Areas of Play in mind, ensuring our tamariki have a range of learning available to them. We are lucky to have a large outdoor area that we utilise with a wide variety of outdoor resources, activities and games.

Socialising

Tamariki are encouraged to play both independently and in a group during free play but we have special rituals that bring us all together such as mat times.

One of our key social occasions in the Manuka classroom is our meal times. We all sit and eat together practicing table manners, self-help skills and sharing conversations.

Activities

We value the trust and confidence parents place in us. Our commitment to parent satisfaction is unwavering. We strive to create a strong partnership with parents, ensuring open communication, regular updates, and a supportive community.