Let's Grow Early Learning Centre | Childcare in Raglan

Childcare natural playground driftwood

ABOUT US

Let’s Grow Early Learning Centre is set amidst the natural beauty and majestic backdrop of rolling hills and trees located on the Whaingaroa coastline. The purpose built, architecturally designed childcare centre situated on a large section is conveniently located close to the Raglan township.

Philosophy
We value and encourage a culture of emerging independence, respect, responsibility, ako, whanaungatanga, manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga.

Our programme is based on an emergent curriculum where the tamariki are the designers of what the day will look like. We implement the principles and strands of Te Whariki throughout our child lead curriculum. We believe that the ideas, interests, knowledge and experiences that tamariki bring with them everyday informs what they want/need to learn and explore and it is our responsibility to facilitate this learning. We see each tamariki as an individual and endeavor to work closely with family/whanau to give each child what they need to grow into a competent and confident young learner.
We endeavour to provide a warm, nurturing, trusting and relaxed environment, where all tamariki have the opportunity develop a sense of belonging and grow into well rounded, creative, socially competent, confident and capable young learners.
We view play as valuable learning. Giving tamariki as much opportunity as possible to play in the early years is very important to us. We understand that during uninterrupted and child lead play, the most valuable learning happens. We also see value in our daily rituals such as, kai and moe and meditation time, however, we ensure that between these times the tamariki have plenty of opportunity to play.
We welcome and celebrate diversity. At Let’s grow it is our goal to ensure that we include and celebrate each family’s/whanau culture and needs. It is important to us to welcome the different cultures that tamariki, whanau and kaiako bring with them from home. We recognize the importance of connecting home with what we do here to ensure each child feels comfortable to develop confidence in their own identity.

Hours of operation
Monday – Friday 7.30am – 6.00pm

Our programmes
Our programmes are designed to reflect the age appropriateness and general abilities of children at varying ages in their developmental cycle, and accordingly, the educational content alters as the children progress through the individual age groups, culminating in the preschool years where the emphasis is focused more towards providing the children with the skills required to be school ready.

Meals
Our centre provides morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a late snack. Breakfast is provided for those children that arrive before 8.30am at the centre. All food that is provided is healthy, nutritious and prepared to the highest quality standards.

WINZ
To help with the cost of childcare you may be eligible for a subsidy from WINZ, please contact WINZ on 0800 559 009.

20 hours ECE
Parents of 3+ year olds can claim the ’20 Hours ECE subsidy’ this will be ensure a saving on their weekly fees.

Attendance
For under 2’s there is a minimum session time of 4 hours and for over 2’s a minimum booking of 6.5 hours is required. Minimum 2 sessions per week.

OUR ENVIRONMENT

At Let’s Grow we are proud of our premises. Our unique outdoor environment gives children the opportunity to explore nature first hand. Children can jump in puddles, observe insects, care for our animals, climb on logs, and plant their own vegetables.

Nature at our doorstep
We feel very blessed to be surrounded by the best that nature has to offer. Just a stones throw down the road is Ngarunui Beach where we often visit and fossick for natural treasures in the sand dunes. Just over the fence from Let’s Grow is our outdoor education area, you’ll often find us there building structures or gazing over the beautiful estuary.

LEARNING SPACES

Tiaki Room 0 – 2 years
The program in the Tiaki room is very individual, each child has their own program that is developed around their individual routines. The children participate in a wide range of experiences both indoors and out. In these very early stages of a child’s growth it is paramount to make sure they feel very secure and comfortable in their surroundings.

Tangaroa Room 2 – 3 years
In this age group we continue to build and consolidate on that which has been learnt in the previous years and begin the gradual transition to a slightly more structured program ready for the Preschool room. Play is the main focus of the group and whilst they are playing they are learning key concepts such as size, height, number, colour and language.
Teamwork, communication and learning self help skills are a very important aspect of the program.

Karioi Room 3 – 6 years

The programme that children are introduced to in this age cohort places more emphasis on providing challenging activities that provide tamariki with opportunities to expand their knowledge, experiences and skills. The programme also aims to support children to explore strategies and skills they will need as they transition into school.Being school ready is about being socially competent, self-regulated, self-sufficient and being excited about the next step in their learning adventure. In the karioi room each child will be supported in becoming a competent and confident learner who is capable of leading their own learning and development. This is achieved through a mixture of child lead activities and plenty of opportunity to play. As our programme is child lead we have lots of resources available should children wish to pursue more traditional areas of learning such as reading, writing, math and science.

The programme and resources available are designed to enhance creativity and expand children’s life skills. Spontaneous mat times that are inspired by the childrens interests’ give children the opportunity to participate in a wide range of creative movement, waiata, story telling and the sharing of news from home. The children are supported through their play endeavours and are encouraged to work together as a team. The children take part in small and large group experiences and each day undertake tasks that present meaning and purpose. These tasks are known as ‘real jobs’ in the karioi room where tamariki have the opportunity to help kaiako and peers to maintain our vegetable gardens, care for our animals, setting up/tidy up kai tables and support at tidy up time.

Meditation as a daily ritual and an integrated part of our curriculum:We view meditation as a valuable tool to support children’s learning about their physical, emotional and spiritual selves. We understand the link between each dimension of holistic development and how meditation can have a profound effect on cognitive development. Meditation in the early years supports the development of self-awareness, self-regulation, compassion and empathy for others, understanding of feelings and emotions, awareness and skill in bodily relaxation, and reduces anxiety and stress. Finding time to just be, tap into oneself, relax and concentrate on the here and now can be challenging and a practice that is often left out of our daily lives. The intention is that the children turn their awareness inward and notice their breath, how they are feeling physically and emotionally. We understand that when a child learns to calm their survival brain, the frontal cortex is given more resources to activate.

The integration of yoga as a weekly practice: As an extension of the karioi daily meditation ritual, Bexie Towle from The Space Raglan comes in once a week to teach yoga. The motivation is to give tamariki the opportunity to familiarize themselves with yoga practice in a way that is fun and meaningful for them. Yoga is hugely beneficial for children’s learning and development and total wellbeing. Yoga also supports children to strengthen the connection between mind, body and breath. Bexie is a trained adult and child yoga teacher. She has a wonderful way of engaging children with yoga through taking them on a yoga adventure accompanied with storytelling.

OUR TEAM

Karioi Room (Preschool)

Tangaroa Room (Toddlers)

Tiaki Room (Babies)

Management Team

aaron1 — Aaron Zaini ~ Managing Director

OUR STORY

Aaron and I opened the doors to Let’s Grow Early Learning Centre back in 2014 in response to a need in our community.

Having two young children of our own we knew the importance of feeling at home and comfortable with the place and the people who will be caring for them. It was our vision to create and provide a nurturing learning environment for our children and families, a home away from home.

Growing up in Raglan I have great childhood memories of experiencing all the natural wonders that this beautiful town has to offer. The bush, the beach, the down to earth and creative community, we truly do live in paradise and with nature on our doorstep at Let’s Grow we set out to create a space and develop a holistic programme that fits in with our beautiful surroundings so that cherished life long memories are created for the children at our centre.

FROM OUR ERO REPORTS

“Children are being well supported to develop as confident and capable learners. Trusting and respectful relationships underpin teacher’s interactions with children and families. Teachers use a range of effective strategies to engage children in learning and play. They listen to children to ensure their conversations and involvement in play support social skills development, and encouragement to think and problem solve. Children enjoy friendships with their peers and have many opportunities to take responsibility and care for themselves, others and care for their environment.”

“Teaching practice is strongly focused on positive outcomes for children. ERO observed high-quality interactions and warm, respectful relationships. Teachers know children well and support them to engage in sustained learning activities. Intentional teaching practices scaffold learning and add increasing complexity to children’s play.”

“Children’s cultural diversity and individual qualities are acknowledged and valued. Children of Māori descent have their culture, language and identity valued and affirmed, and all children benefit from the use of te reo and tikanga Māori experiences that are naturally integrated into the programme.”

“Teachers skilfully interpret verbal and non-verbal communication and model appropriate language. Children’s sense of belonging and wellbeing is nurtured.”

View our full report here (2019)
View our full report here (2015)

ENROLMENTS

To arrange a tour of the centre please email us at info@letsgrow.net.nz

Once a start date is decided, we will mutually arrange a convenient time with you and the teachers of the designated room for you to spend some time in the centre with your child prior to their starting date. At Let’s Grow we believe that this is a vital part of the transitioning process, and helps to ensure that your child’s integration into the Let’s Grow family is as smooth as possible. This normally consists of two to three one hour visits to the centre on the days preceding your child’s start date. During your free transition visits, you will have a chance to get to know your child’s teachers, and to find out where significant areas of the centre are.

We look forward to having you and your children join the Let’s Grow family, and appreciate any feedback you have for us. Please let us know if there is anything you do not understand, or that is worrying you. Enjoy your visits, so you are able to relax, knowing your child feels comfortable and secure in their new environment.