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 – 3.5 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 3.5 – 6 years
The program that children are introduced to in this age group places more emphasis on providing challenging activities that provide the children with opportunities to expand their understanding and familiarity with concepts related to the traditional areas of reading, writing, maths and science. This is achieved through a mixture of focused activities that are subject specific and those that are play based; the underlying aim is to achieve a balanced and well rounded school readiness curriculum that the children enjoy participating in.

NURTURING THE MIND, BODY & SPIRIT OF EACH CHILD

Bexie Towle is an experienced yoga teacher from The Space Raglan who has completed her ‘Play Kids Yoga Teaching Training’. Bexie comes into Let’s Grow once a week to teach our children yoga.

Benefits of yoga for children: enhances physical flexibility, refines balance and coordination, develops focus and concentration, promotes self-regulation, boosts self-esteem and confidence, develops mindfulness and an understanding of the mind-body connection, manages stress through breathing and healthy movement.

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 REPORT

“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.

Teachers are skilled in noticing, recognising and responding to children’s interests. They play alongside children having conversations that extend their thinking and learning. Children have easy access to high quality resources to initiate their own learning. They have many opportunities to make decisions and choices about directing their own learning.

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 place a priority on children learning within their community, and whānau contributions to the programme support children to learn in meaningful contexts. Children interact closely with the natural environment both within the centre and through the use of an additional natural outdoor area. Literacy and numeracy are well integrated throughout the programme in age-appropriate ways. Music and movement, science and exploration are also strongly evident in the programme.”

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.

2018 FEE SCHEDULE

UNDER 3’S AND CHILDREN NOT USING THE 20 HOURS ECE SUBSIDY

Morning session Infants room only	Afternoon session Infants room only	School hours session All rooms	Full day booking All rooms	Extended day booking All rooms
Anytime between 7.30am-12pm (minimum 4 hours)	Anytime between 1pm-6pm (minimum 4 hours)	6.5 hours between 8.30am-3.30pm	6.5-8.5 hours	8.5-10.5 hours
$34 per session	$34 per session	$52.40	$59	$65
Full time discounted rate		$232.50	$275	$295

OVER 3’S USING THE 20 HOURS ECE SUBSIDY

2 days

3 days

4 days

5 days

School hours 6.5 hours between 8.30am & 3.30pm

$47

($23.50 per day)

$70.50

$107

$147

Full day 6.5 to 8.5 hours

$57

($28.50 per day)

$85.50

$125

$175

Extended day 8.5 to 10.5 hours

$64

($32 per day)

$96

$159

$195

20 HOURS ECE SUBSIDY

We offer free 20 Hours ECE for three, four and five year olds capped at 6 hours per day. The time that we charge outside of the 6 hours per day is a ‘top up’ which helps us to provide high quality education and care. The ‘top up’ contributes to costs related to the provision of: