Teachers
Kia ora! A big and warm welcome from Darshae & Louise, your toddler teachers. We are passionate about the care and education of children in the toddler age group (2 – 3 years). We believe in a fun and caring environment, where you and your child feel a sense of belonging. Each day is always busy and full of exciting learning experiences.
Our mission is to:
¨ Provide an environment that promotes curiosity, exploration and confidence to participate in all areas of play.
¨ Include and appreciate each child and their wh?nau values and backgrounds in our daily interactions.
¨ Build strong and solid relationships with our wh?nau and their children.
¨ Support your child to become confident and competent learners.
¨ Encourage children to be more independent through the promotion of self-help skills.
¨ Encourage children in caring for the environment within the centre, including a respect for toys and equipment.
¨ Provide children with an environment where they can develop social skills, supporting children in initiating and maintaining relationships with others.
¨ Encourage children to participate without fear of judgment of their own skill level and ability.
¨ Appreciate that each child is a unique individual and that they learn at their own pace. Recognize when to take cues from each child and follow through on those cues.
Planning
Each child has their own portfolio, which is a record of their learning and development at Junior Junction. Every month we include one special moment page, one piece of art work, and one learning story in your child’s portfolio . After 3 learning stories have been completed for the child, an Individual Development Plan (IDP) is created.
An IDP consists of 3 sections:
Assessment – this is a general summary of the child’s learning over the course of the first three learning stories.
Focus – a focus for the IDP is established by identifying a strength, skill or interest of the child as seen in the documented learning stories. This strength, skill, or interest is then linked to a strand within Te Wh?riki where specific goals and learning outcomes are compiled which offer possible lines to extend the identified strength, skill or interest.
Individual Plan – this is completed by devising possible activities which can be implemented in order to extend the learning of that particular child.
Group planning is developed from any area of interest shown by the toddlers. This interest is linked to a goal in the curriculum, and plans are created to achieve desired learning outcomes. Child and wh?nau feedback is also encouraged. Teachers implement their plans and document the learning experiences in a programme planning folder and in wall displays for all children and wh?nau to view. Once the interest fades into another, an evaluation is documented and a new programme planning cycle begins with the latest area of interest.