We Let Each Child Develop Their Strengths in Their Own Way
Infants have an incredible capacity to absorb the wonder and complexity of the world around them. They are naturally curious explorers that observe, listen, investigate, and learn. Our junior studio at our beautiful Silverdale early childhood centre provides a calm, safe and stimulating setting for this exploration. Our experienced kaiako (teachers) provide love and support, responding to each infant’s and toddler’s exclusive needs and preferences.
Discover Our Learning Approach for Children Three Months to Two Years Old
The works of Emmi Pikler and Magda Gerber influence our approach to our youngest tamariki (children), and these are reflected in our values, beliefs, and practices:
Relationships. We believe in building trusting, respectful and peaceful relationships, essential to a little one’s well-being, learning and development.
Individualised care moments. Kaiako (teachers) remain actively engaged during all tasks, including nappy-changing, feeding, bathing, and dressing. We communicate with your child respectfully. Our unhurried, relaxed, and interactive ways make their days enjoyable. Care moments are fundamental, and our kaiako work with parents to discover each baby’s preferences for feeding, falling asleep, and being comforted. We adapt our practices to your child rather than expecting them to adapt to our routines.
Key caregiving. An key caregiver tends to your little one to build attachment and a sense of security. The teacher attunes and responds to your toddler’s unique nutrition, sleep, activity, and comfort needs. This teacher also supports exploration and new learning based on the trust and reassurance founded on an intimate relationship that supports confidence and connection.
Free movement. We believe that freedom of movement is essential for healthy development in young children. We allow babies and infants to move around naturally and follow their personal developmental timetable. Our classroom design encourages unrestricted movement, and we motivate tamariki to roll, reach, crawl, cruise and walk, enabling them to progress toward independent mobility at their own pace.
Exploration time. Infants and toddlers have uninterrupted time to play and interact, explore our indoor and outdoor environments, and interrelate with each other and the world around them. Our tamariki develop confidence, experience independence, and learn to master their world through continuous play.
Celebrate Your Child
Feel free to talk to us if you would like to know more about how our approach to early childhood education can support your child to thrive.