Puawai tamariki are showing us their independence skills over the past few months, our consistent but flexible routine allows children to anticipate what is going to happen next and fully engage in these routines.

 We come together for mat times with excitement and lots of newly formed oral language, a huge love for board stories is growing and soon as we say “haere mai, haere ki te whariki’ tamariki will come running with big smiles! 

After mat time kai follows and tamariki will pull their own sleeves up (or ask for assistance when needed) wash and dry their own hands before collecting their lunch box and walking to find a seat. This regular routine of our day has allowed tamariki the opportunity to complete challenges for themselves and give them skills to take through with them during transition- they are becoming capable and competent in their abilities! Also as a result of this and our current interest in friendships some more confident tamariki are collecting lunchboxes for other children and handing them out once they have washed their hands. They are very concerned when a lunchbox is left behind and ensure everyone is catered for before sitting down, a little snippet of something we are currently celebrating in Puawai.  We are nurturing these kind and caring interactions and love to see all the tamairki feeling at home in the environment. Lots of smiles and laughter and enjoying each others company which we will carry out into the warm weather with water play and planting our vegetable garden!

In whakanui we have had a few younger infants start so time has been spent getting to know their families, routines and building close relationships with them (something Jenni,  Ash and Helen are extremely talented at doing). There has been a focus on non-verbal communication and taking the time to notice all of nga tamariki non-verbal cues, this means they are observing amazing communication strategies emerging and experiencing some incredible interactions with children as they express their feelings and ideas. It is clear our current whakanui tamariki have a love for the outdoors, natural exploration is booming with leaves, water, bark and sand all being touched and tasted. A few older boys have been expressing the need for more physical challenges so we have borrowed equipment from other areas and they are busy mastering new techniques, lots of perseverance and determination!!

A reminder with this lovely warmer weather hats and spare clothes come along each day in bags and children are sunblocked before arrival.

Getting close to Christmas!

Many thanks, the nursery team 

Ngā mihi nui,

The Whakanui & Puawai teams