At Red Kite, we view children as inspired and capable learners.
What does that mean to you and your child?
Children can spend many hours each week in a childcare centre – it’s important for it to be a pleasant place for them to be. We use natural materials instead of plastic wherever possible, and we plan our environment so that it acts as another teacher.
We place emphasis on allowing children to express themselves in many different ways – “the hundred languages of children”. We encourage our children to create in as many as we (and they) can think of – painting and drawing, singing and dancing, building and making.
Children learn all the time, from everything they do. There are some additional activities which form a regular part of our programme and allow us to weave different educational objectives into our day-to-day routines.
Science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM)
What’s engineering to a four-year-old? It might be getting that block tower just a bit taller. Or it might be figuring out how to make a tunnel in the sand pit that doesn’t collapse. Counting, sorting, thinking about how things work and fiddling and tinkering are all activities we encourage. Some of this happens informally and some in our after-lunch Learning Groups. We also include specific planning for STEM, deciding in advance what concepts we want to teach and what language to use so we are ready for the “teachable moments”.
ENGAGE Programme
This programme grew out of research done at the University of Otago, looking at how simple games can build children’s social and emotional competence. After training in 2024, we have incorporated these activities into our teaching, having fun playing Animal Speeds, doing Superhero Breathing or even the good old game of Musical Chairs. Here’s a link where you can find out more about this programme:
Baking for toddlers
Baking with children has huge benefits for them. We can use these times to teach about hygiene and healthy eating; we can introduce them to basic maths concepts such as weight and volume; we can also talk about the changes materials undergo when we mix them or heat them, which is laying foundations for their future science learning. They need to listen to instructions, follow a process and work alongside other children. Best of all, you can eat the result! Our Busy Bees Room (2-3.5 years old) has baking sessions twice a week.
Bush walks
These take place for our older children (3.5 years and over). They are based on the Forest Kindergarten movement which began in Germany and Scandinavia, where children spend long periods of time in the outdoors with their teachers. They are taught to keep themselves safe as they climb trees, make huts, find bugs, get muddy… Forest Kindergarten gives urban children the chance to get out in the fresh air and build physical and cognitive skills in a natural setting. Our Bush Walks take place at Phyllis Reserve, a ten-minute walk from the centre. Our preschoolers walk out with plenty of teachers to provide additional support. There is lots of excitement on Bush Walk days!
