Children enter our Pohutukawa Room as they approach 2 years of age. Acknowledging the wide variations in a child’s rate and timing of growth and development, transitions into and out of this space are gradual and is a child led process. Moving from our infant space (Kowhai room) is a big step with supportive primary carers reading cues from the tamariki which indicate they are getting ready to make the move. We continue to provide primary carers in this space so that each child and their whanau has their own special kaiako to build a solid and meaningful relationship with. It is important that children bond well with their primary carer who will provide important emotional support required throughout their day. Most of our tamariki are ready to begin their transition through to the Kahikatea Room after their third birthday.
At Manaaki we value a child’s play as their greatest learning tool. In the Pohutukawa room children are offered a range of resources for play to unfold. Resources not only support key curriculum areas such as music, science, construction, literacy and art but there is also a focus on loose parts play. Loose parts are items and objects without a specified purpose and are seen to be vital in supporting a child’s curiosity, problem solving, critical thinking and imagination, skills which help build the minds of great thinkers, artists and inventors of the future!
Our Pohutukawa children are starting to learn how to play together with others! We help support children’s social competencies at this age by establishing clear and consistent boundaries so that children learn how to keep themselves and others safe and enjoy their time together at Manaaki.
We offer a large natural outdoor space for our busy toddlers. This space honours children’s need to connect with our natural environment. Sensory play is highly valued and supported in this space with 2 large sandpits, a mud kitchen and supporting herb garden, a flower shell garden, a rock waterplay garden and plenty of real grass for running and playing with friends.
(2 to 3/3 ½ year olds)
