Information for Parents, Family/Whanau
The subsequent information will help you understand our methodology and what you can expect. You are free to discuss any queries you may have with any of our teachers or administrative staff. We encourage you to visit, explore, and ask questions regarding any aspect of our service you need clarity on. You can also arrange for an appointment with our manager, if needed, to discuss things over.
Be rest assured that your child’s development and well-being is our main priority. Find out further how you can get acquainted with the administrative process at Blossoms Educare.
Complete involvement of family
We believe in an open door policy and involve parents and family members in everything we do. Ensuring participation of parents makes the child feel comfortable and has a strong positive impact on the child. Keeping this in mind, we warmly welcome parents to the centre anytime.
The teachers and staff at Blossoms sincerely take care of the child’s happiness and comfort. We regard a three-way relationship between parents, caregivers and the child as an indispensable part of the child’s well-being.
Keeping track of everything
We make sure that parents are well-informed at each step of the way. They are provided with everything they need including newsletters, invoices, receipts and copies of learning stories.
Events and Outings
We believe that interaction and communication is vital. Keeping this in focus, we organize cultural events to help Blossom Educare members interact with other families and children and also with the teachers and staff. We are always on the lookout for such events and they form an integral part of our calendar.
Training for new teachers and volunteers
Volunteers and new teachers are thoroughly screened before getting onboard with us. They are required to meet our standards and adhere to our philosophy. Volunteers interact with the children and keep them engaged. Students of early childhood teacher training courses are properly supervised at the centre.
Facilities for availing subsidy
Our ‘Work and Income’ department operates a subsidy for parents. The subsidy is subject to an income qualification. Further information and forms shall be provided by ‘Work and Income’. Also, Blossoms provides 20 hours subsidy for all children above the age of 3. Please refer to our fees schedule for further information.
Educare Programme
‘Educare’ is a compound word meaning education and care. Our centres deliver educare programmes centered around the child. These programmes involve observing the children on a regular basis, evaluating their needs and concerns and planning activities around them. These programmes help the child develop in their own individual pace.
These programmes are founded on the guiding principles of Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum policy of the Ministry of Education. We keep revising our developmental programmes to stay updated.
There are four broad principles at the centre of Te Whāriki – the early childhood curriculum.
Empowerment
The early childhood curriculum empowers the child to learn and grow.
Holistic Development
The early childhood curriculum reflects the holistic way children learn and grow.
Family and Community
The wider world of family and community is an integral part of the early childhood curriculum.
Relationships
Children learn through responsive and reciprocal relationships with people, places, and things.
Strands and GoalsThe strands and goals arise from the four principles. The whāriki is woven from these four principles and from the following five strands, or essential areas of learning and development. The principles and strands together form the framework for the curriculum. Each strand has several goals. Learning outcomes have been developed for each goal in each of the strands, so that the whāriki becomes an integrated foundation for every child’s development.
Strand 1: Well-being – Mana AtuaThe health and well-being of the child are protected and nurtured.
Goals
Children experience an environment where:
Goals
Children and their families experience an environment where:
Goals
Children experience an environment where:
Goals
Children experience an environment where:
Goals
Children experience an environment where:
We understand that early childhood education should enable the development of confidence, independence, and an interest in learning in children. Our practices take into consideration the multicultural heritage of our community and emphasise on a culture free of prejudice. We maintain a home-like environment that allows children to foster their growth and development.
Official information
Parents are free to access the following information and documents available from the centre’s office.
Concerns and Complaints
We have a policy for dealing with complaints displayed on the parents’ notice board. If you have any concerns or complaints, please discuss the matter with the concerned centre’s manager. Our contact details can be accessed here.
Parents are free to address any problems they have by speaking to the supervisor. You might require to schedule an appointment with the supervisor.
The subsequent information will help you understand our methodology and what you can expect. You are free to discuss any queries you may have with any of our teachers or administrative staff. We encourage you to visit, explore, and ask questions regarding any aspect of our service you need clarity on. You can also arrange for an appointment with our manager, if needed, to discuss things over.
Be rest assured that your child’s development and well-being is our main priority. Find out further how you can get acquainted with the administrative process at Blossoms Educare.
Complete involvement of family
We believe in an open door policy and involve parents and family members in everything we do. Ensuring participation of parents makes the child feel comfortable and has a strong positive impact on the child. Keeping this in mind, we warmly welcome parents to the centre anytime.
The teachers and staff at Blossoms sincerely take care of the child’s happiness and comfort. We regard a three-way relationship between parents, caregivers and the child as an indispensable part of the child’s well-being.
Keeping track of everything
We make sure that parents are well-informed at each step of the way. They are provided with everything they need including newsletters, invoices, receipts and copies of learning stories.
Events and Outings
We believe that interaction and communication is vital. Keeping this in focus, we organize cultural events to help Blossom Educare members interact with other families and children and also with the teachers and staff. We are always on the lookout for such events and they form an integral part of our calendar.
Training for new teachers and volunteers
Volunteers and new teachers are thoroughly screened before getting onboard with us. They are required to meet our standards and adhere to our philosophy. Volunteers interact with the children and keep them engaged. Students of early childhood teacher training courses are properly supervised at the centre.
Facilities for availing subsidy
Our ‘Work and Income’ department operates a subsidy for parents. The subsidy is subject to an income qualification. Further information and forms shall be provided by ‘Work and Income’. Also, Blossoms provides 20 hours subsidy for all children above the age of 3. Please refer to our fees schedule for further information.
Educare Programme
‘Educare’ is a compound word meaning education and care. Our centres deliver educare programmes centered around the child. These programmes involve observing the children on a regular basis, evaluating their needs and concerns and planning activities around them. These programmes help the child develop in their own individual pace.
These programmes are founded on the guiding principles of Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum policy of the Ministry of Education. We keep revising our developmental programmes to stay updated.
There are four broad principles at the centre of Te Whāriki – the early childhood curriculum.
Empowerment
The early childhood curriculum empowers the child to learn and grow.
Holistic Development
The early childhood curriculum reflects the holistic way children learn and grow.
Family and Community
The wider world of family and community is an integral part of the early childhood curriculum.
Relationships
Children learn through responsive and reciprocal relationships with people, places, and things.
Strands and GoalsThe strands and goals arise from the four principles. The whāriki is woven from these four principles and from the following five strands, or essential areas of learning and development. The principles and strands together form the framework for the curriculum. Each strand has several goals. Learning outcomes have been developed for each goal in each of the strands, so that the whāriki becomes an integrated foundation for every child’s development.
Strand 1: Well-being – Mana AtuaThe health and well-being of the child are protected and nurtured.
Goals
Children experience an environment where:
- their health is promoted;
- their emotional well-being is nurtured;
- they are kept safe from harm.
Goals
Children and their families experience an environment where:
- connecting links with the family and the wider world are affirmed and extended;
- they know that they have a place;
- they feel comfortable with the routines,customs, and regular events;
- they know the limits and boundaries of acceptable behaviour.
Goals
Children experience an environment where:
- there are equitable opportunities for learning, irrespective of gender, ability, age, ethnicity, or background;
- they are affirmed as individuals;
- they are encouraged to learn with and alongside others.
Goals
Children experience an environment where:
- they develop non-verbal communication skills for a range of purposes;
- they develop verbal communication skills for a range of purposes;
- they experience the stories and symbols of their own and other cultures;
- they discover and develop different ways to be creative and expressive.
Goals
Children experience an environment where:
- their play is valued as meaningful learning and the importance of spontaneous play is recognised;
- they gain confidence in and control of their bodies;
- they learn strategies for active exploration, thinking, and reasoning;
- they develop working theories for making sense of the natural, social, physical, and material worlds.
We understand that early childhood education should enable the development of confidence, independence, and an interest in learning in children. Our practices take into consideration the multicultural heritage of our community and emphasise on a culture free of prejudice. We maintain a home-like environment that allows children to foster their growth and development.
Official information
Parents are free to access the following information and documents available from the centre’s office.
- Our philosophy (also displayed on the notice board)
- Our licence (also displayed on the notice board)
- Our policies
- Our ERO reports (will be available after our first review)
- The annual audited accounts
- A copy of our curriculum
Concerns and Complaints
We have a policy for dealing with complaints displayed on the parents’ notice board. If you have any concerns or complaints, please discuss the matter with the concerned centre’s manager. Our contact details can be accessed here.
Parents are free to address any problems they have by speaking to the supervisor. You might require to schedule an appointment with the supervisor.
