Newsletter - April 2016

What’s  happening AT Pukeko Corner?

Never a dull moment around here!

What a wonderful experience we had on our visit to Te Rereatukahia Marae. It was such a honour to be welcomed on with a powhiri.  What great learning about respect and understanding  we had as our children and teachers put into place all that we have learnt about tikanga and protocol. What a great job they did at singing the waiata and experiencing the environment.  Of course we loved the bus ride and the fabulous bush walk too!  Check out the photos on the wall.

We started our visits by van to Summerset by the Sea with a Easter themed visit.  We all had a great time dancing and jumping around like rabbits and cats. We have some more visits schedule for the next few months. 

We are still visiting our friends at Lexham Park once every six weeks or so. Just to see the delight on the residents faces and to see the communication between the generations brings “warm fuzzies” to your whole body. While it’s unclear the depth of impact such social interaction has on our children, research suggests it may come with a variety of benefits for them as well. For example, kids who have early contact with older people are less likely to view them as incompetent—and simply exposing children to positive depictions of elders makes them less likely to exhibit ageism. These intergenerational interactions also enhance children’s social and personal development.  Children are prone to feel more comfortable with those with disabilities and impairments of all kinds.  We are always looking for parent/whanau help on our visit days so if you have a few hours free come and enjoy the “warm fuzzies “ with us!

The kite flying at Moore Park is now on the 25th May at 1.30pm. If the weather is a little wet bring along coats and gumboots please.

The “Pukeko Medical Centre” is still a busy place with patients in and out all day and doctors being run off their busy feet.

“Fancy Nancy”, a well know series of books has made an entrance at kindy.  Our plan is to make ourselves and our mat time room “fancy as”.  This is an extension from our hairdressing interest, thanks to Skyla and her huge enjoyment of the books.

Story Park                                                                                                                                                                                                     We hope by now you all know about story park and a little bit about how it works.  We have heard the phone app can be a little hard to read.  You can login on any computer to read and add photos and comments.  Don’t forget to invite your family members so they can see what your child is up to and in turn they can add photos or comments. This online profile will stay with the child forever so great to bring out on their 15th or 21st birthday.  If anyone would like more support we can  have a little play together at pick up time.  Children still get their paper profile book as they often want to sit down and review their learning.

Healthy Food and Drink Policy                                                                                                                                                                   In the past years we have taken part in the Healthy Heart Award, a programme to support children and families in what a healthy lifestyle looks like.  We are excited to take on this health challenge again at our kindy. Lately we have noticed children coming to kindy with juice in their drink bottles.  This goes against everything we believe, our policy and what research says.   Did you know that one bottle of juice has approximately 10 teaspoon of sugar.  Water has none!!!  A challenge for you…… no packets on lunches.  Packets are easy but they are also generally low GI food and filled with artificial  fillers, flavours and colours.  We all want to develop life-long healthy habits.  Has anyone got any ideas or suggestions as we investigate this further?

Mega Fun Club                                                                                                                                                                                              We started Mega fun Club for families who needed us to stay open longer hours. As you may be aware we don’t have many children enrolled after 2.45pm which puts us in a tricky situation.  It is not financially viable to continue as it is, so we have reviewed it. We decided to keep Mega Fun club but restrict the time to 3.30pm unless there is a emergency or a desperate need to care.  We also decided to raise the fee by 50c to $2 per 15 mins.  The changes will take place from the 16th May.             Just a reminder that we do have a late fee.  Mega fun starts at 2.45pm if not picked up by then you will be charged.

Cyber Safety Policy                                                                                                                                                                            Recently as a teaching team we wrote a Cyber safety policy this is to help guide us all on how to keep our children safe in an age of technology.  Sometime soon you will receive a sheet of information and a section for you to sign to say you agree.

Purchase of New Resources                                                                                                                                                            Teachers have discussed buying new plastic animals; the good quality, real looking ones.  There has been  a little hesitation as we have noticed that many go home in children’s pockets or bags  Please, please please if you see our toys/resources at your home please bring them back.

Teacher’s Professional Development                                                                                                                                                Cathy and Jody have three more  Incredible Years sessions.  This is a programme based on positive relationships, fostering children’s social emotional competence and emotion regulation. This the course that Corina and Kim did last year.  Once finished, as a team we are reviewing and rewriting our Positive Guidance Policy. 

Matariki                                                                                                                                                                                                          On Friday evening 1 July we will be inviting all our whanau to celebrate at kindy the Maori New Year and all that God has provided us, on earth and the sea.

Road Safety Week May 16-22nd May                                                                                                                                                    We will be focussing on road safety with the children, especially with our frequent walks into the community.

Three pieces of fruit a week                                                                                                                                                                Please remember to bring in your 3 pieces of fruit each week for yourcontribution towards the children’s morning teas. 

Early Arrivals                                                                                                                                                                                                 As we are setting up the environment first thing in the morning we would appreciate you not arriving before 8.30am.  It is a precious time for us.

Staffing                                                                                                                                                                                                      Every Monday and Thursday we are privileged to have Caroline Tangitau here volunteering—supporting us teachers.

We have four lovely trained teachers who relieve for us; Helen Bosson, Janet Horn, Janet Grant, and Stacey Temple.

ECE Stude                                                                                                                                                                                                    Sela Vakasiuola (Fane’s mum) will be doing her last student practicum here for 6 weeks from 27 June.  We look forward to having her.

We have lots of cool things planned for the next few months.  Please note them in your diary or calendar.

Important Dates:

Lexham Park                                         Tue 3 May, Thur 23 June, Thurs 4 Aug

Kites in Moore Park                Wed 25th May

Summerset Tue 10 May, Tue 14 June, Tue 26 July

Road Safety Week       16—22 May           

Matariki Whanau Celebration Fri evening 1 July

Fire Drill                     Thurs 5th May

Thanks for all your wonderful support

God Bless from Cathy, Jody, Kim, Corina, Gary, Christina, and Dianne.