We provide a nature rich environment to give the children every opportunity to develop life skills through interacting with nature.
Children are encouraged to be motivated by their curiosity. Teachers facilitate their learning by resourcing the “wonder” conversations, demonstrating skills that will assist the children to reach their potential, creating life-long learners.
Research shows* that the senses of a child are stimulated within the natural environment, leading them to develop curiosity and discovery in nature. Repeated visits to the same spaces foster a sense of guardianship. This encourages children to explore, appreciate and respect their environment.
*Exploring Nature with Children, Nau mai, haere mai ki te Ao Tūroa, Department of Conservation, www.childrenandnature.org
Allowing children the opportunity to build great memories through using a secure, challenging, nature rich environment supports them in becoming capable and competent learners.
They develop a range of skills including spatial awareness, understanding cause and effect, risk management, resilience, self-awareness and problem solving as an individual as well as within a group.
Staff are inspired by the philosophies of Reggio Emilia, RIE, Pikler and Magda Gerber. The knowledge from professional learning in these areas informs the practice of our teachers.
Our centre is continually developing to maximize opportunities for children’s learning. We aim to provide a safe and stimulating environment in which children can:
feel happy and secure
experience and actively explore all that nature has to offer
be encouraged and supported to take risks and become the risk assessors
direct their own learning
develop emotionally, socially, physically, creatively and intellectually
develop their independence, positive attitudes, confidence and self-esteem through the use of appropriate praise and reassurance
create opportunities for both indoor and outdoor play which can be challenging both physically and mentally while stimulating interest and imagination
extend their abilities to communicate ideas and feelings in a variety of ways.