16
Parent Hand Book
Parent Hand Book
2
Table of Contents
Our Centre Philosophy 4
Welcome to Mighty Minds 6
Settling 6
Hours of Operation 7
Parent involvement 7
Holiday and Absences 8
Statutory Holidays 8
Our Educators 9
Our Curriculum 10
Aspirations 10
The principles 10
Five strands of Learning 10
Principle of Reggio Emilia Approach 11
Sleep time/ Rest time 12
Emergency Contact 12
Emergency Evacuation 12
Centre Policies 12
Child Health 13
Medication 13
Immunisation 13
20 Hours ECE 14
Childcare Subsidy - WINZ 14
Notice to Withdraw 14
Parents Communication 15
Parents Feedback 15
3
4
Our Centre Philosophy
At Mighty Minds Educare, we believe children learn and develop in early
childhood environments where they feel stimulated, safe and secure. Our
aim is to provide a natural, warm, loving and caring environment where
children are encouraged to explore and discover the world around them.
We believe parents and educators should work together in partnership in
providing a home away from home, and to support each other in the
development of children. We aim to develop respectful relationships with
children, their families and educators through communication and
interaction.
We want the experiences that the children share with us to reflect what
happens at home and to communicate with parents and caregivers to
enable this to occur naturally.
5
We will model, teach and encourage the children to develop healthy attitude
towards eating, toileting and sleeping.
We believe educators facilitate, share, foster and extend knowledge and
relationships among children. We also see our role as a support for families.
We believe children are capable individuals and independent beings who
should be encouraged to be decision makers.
We acknowledge and respect Tino Rangatiratanga (equal partnership between
Maori and Pakeha), and we aim to provide opportunities including Te Reo and
culture within our centre. We acknowledge our community is another
learning resource and is a tapestry of cultures and we will embrace both the
sameness and differences of these cultures within our centre and programme
(sociocultural).
We believe play is like work for children, and they learn life skills through
play. We believe in fostering children’s creativity and individual
interests, as this enables them to develop more personal experiences
that will shape their future learning and development. We believe in
providing a child initiated programme as this empowers children to take
ownership of their own learning.
6
Welcome to Mighty Minds...
Choosing a centre for your child is exciting and nervous at the same time, we
understand; choosing us means your child will be in a loving, caring and
safe environment where their learning is nurtured in an environment that
is encouraging to them in developing to their full potential. We place a strong
focus on LISTENING. We listen to children’s experiences
from home and the world around them and encourage
them to participate and share with others their
knowledge; through this process, a child’s dispositions are
nurtured and this contributes to positive moulding and
defining of the adults they become.
Settling
Planning is the most important
part in settling your child in a
new environment, so we ask
you to think ahead. Settling
experience for children should
be positive and memorable, to make this happen, we ask parents to put aside
some time to spend with us. This gives us the opportunity to get to know
you and your child better; your relationship with us is important to your child,
they see the world through your eyes. We will do everything possible to ease the
process of settling your child.
We ask your child to visit our centre three times prior to starting, spending an
hour each time with a guardian will give your child an opportunity to familiarise
with our environment.
“I have learned that there is more power in a good strong
hug than in a thousand meaningful words.”
~Ann Hood
7
Parent involvement
“At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a
child's success is the positive involvement of parents.”
~ Jane D. Hull
Positive, reciprocal communication between us sends strong messages to
your child that you support them and are part of their learning
environment. We have an Open Door Policy, this means that you can visit
your child at any time during the day. We seek parent’s involvement and
contribution in our centre because we believe that three way relationship
between parents, educators and the child is paramount to children’s
learning.
Hours of Operation
We are open for your convenience from 7.30am
to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday.
We ask for your co-operation in arrival and
departure within our hours of operation.
Late pick up fees applies to any late pick up.
We are closed on all statutory holidays and from
1pm on Christmas Eve.
8
We understand that your child may occasionally be absent
for different reasons, please be aware that usual fees will apply as fees are
based on time enrolled and not attendance. We offer a holiday discount of 4
weeks per year at 50% fees. This applies to full weekly bookings. For children
enrolled less than a full week, the discount will be applied pro-rata i.e. a child
enrolled for 3 days a week will receive 12 days discounted rate in a calendar
year. Holiday discount is only applicable if fee payments are kept within the
payment terms and two weeks written notice is required.
You will need to notify us of any prolonged absence as we are required to
keep a record of this communication for Ministry of Education.
Statutory Holidays
Full fees are applicable for any
statutory holiday that falls on the
day when your child would
normally attend.
Holiday and Absences
9
Our Educators are selected for their knowledge and love of Early
Childhood. Their compassion and philosophy for care and education of
young children provides us with appropriate programme and strategies
for the holistic development of your child.
We encourage professional development so our educators can keep up-
to-date with new curricular and what is happening in early Childhood
sector. All Qualified/ Registered Educators hold current first aid
certificate and are expected to maintain current Teachers Registration.
All Non-registered Educators will undergo police vetting process before
employment.
Our Educators
Our Curriculum
Our curriculum is based on three pillars of education: Te Whariki- the
New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum, Pikler Approach and Reggio
Emilia approach.
Te Whāriki - NZ Early Childhood Curriculum
Te Whāriki is name of NZ Early Childhood Curriculum Framework, it
provides guidelines for education and care of children from birth to six
years of age.
10
Aspirations
Te Whāriki is based on the aspirations that children grow up:
as competent and confident learners and communicators
healthy in mind, body and spririt
secure in their sense of belonging
secure in the knowledge that they make valued contributions to the society
The principles
Four broad principles are at the centre of Te Whāriki:
Empowerment: children will be empowered to learn and grow
Holistic development: children learn and grow in a holistic way. Children’s
intellectual, social, cultural, physical, emotional and spiritual learning is interwoven
across all experiences.
Family and Community: a child’s family and community are recognised a part of the
learning experience.
Relationships: children learn through positive relationships with people, places and
things.
Five strands of Learning
The principles of Te Whāriki are interwoven with the following area of learning:
Mana Atua – Well-being
Mana Tangata – Contribution
Mana Whenua – Belonging
Mana Reo – Communication
Mana Aoturoa – Exploration
Pikler Approach
The Pikler approach is based on a respectful relationship between an adult and infant,
through choreographed tender care moments, a naturally paced motor development ,
free movement and uninterrupted play. The guiding principles of Pikler Approach are…
Full Attention
Slow Down
11
Communicate “with” not “to”
Build trust and relationship during caring activity/ time
Never put into a position which they cannot get into by themselves
Allow babies uninterrupted time for play
Tune in with your child’s cues
Principle of Reggio Emilia Approach
Our teaching and learning is also greatly inspired by Reggio Emilia
philosophy which focuses on these key principles:
The image of the child – a child is seen as strong, capable, resilient, rich
with wonder and knowledge and full of potential in constructing his/
her own knowledge through decision making and interactions with
others.
The role of the environment – through conscious use of the space,
colours, lights, resources and displays of children’s work, environment
serves as a third teacher.
The role of a teacher – teachers and children are seen as partners in
learning.
Role of Documentation – Teacher’s role becomes more of an
observer, facilitator and a co-learner. Carefully displaying and
documenting children’s thoughts and progression of thinking makes
children's thought's visible.
Group/ Project work – There is a strong focus on social collaboration,
working in groups, where each child is an equal participant, having
their thoughts and questions valued.
Hundred Language - Probably the most well-known aspect of the
Reggio Emilia Approach. The belief that children use many different
ways to show their understanding and express their thoughts and
creativity. A hundred different ways of thinking, of discovering, of
learning. Through drawing and sculpting, through dance and
movement, through painting and pretend play, through modelling and
music, and that each one of these Hundred Languages must be valued
and nurtured.
12
Sleep time/ Rest time
We respect that babies have their unique routine,
hence we follow their own unique pattern from
home. Once they reach two years, they normally sleep
at midday unless parent request otherwise. All
children are provided with their own individual sleep
space and linen, these linens are washed weekly.
Emergency Contact It is important that we have record of at least two emergency contact for
your child, people who are able to pick your child up when you are unable to
do so. We are unable to release your child to anyone unless they have been
nominated by you. These arrangements can be made by filling in Emergency
Contact part of our enrolment form, telephone us or
email [email protected].
Emergency Evacuation Fire and Earthquake drills are practised once every term and supplies in
the event of emergency is on hand. Our educators are trained in first aid
and knows what to do in an emergency situation. In an event of
emergency, children can be collected at our Assembly point which is
located in our car park or you can contact us on 027-5256868.
Centre Policies A full copy of our Centre Policies is located in the
reception area and is available on request.
13
Child Health
Almost all children experience some form of illness when they start in a
childcare environment. It will time take for their immune system to keep up with
what they are exposed to. We will notify you immediately if your child
shows any sign of illness. Any child who is present in the centre and is deemed to
be unwell will be sent home, this is to reduce illness from spreading and to ensure
the welfare of children who is still in our care. Guidelines of contagious disease
and recommendation is set by Ministry of Health, we follow these guidelines
strictly.
No child with contagious disease should attend the centre, we ask that you respect
our Illness and Infectious Diseases Policy.
Medication
When a child requires medication, it is essential that Medication Authority Form is
filled in correctly. Parents must fill in this form each day if any medication is
required to be administered.
This information consist of:
Date, names of child, name of medication, date and time of last administration,
dosage required, time required and signature of consent.
For any on-going medication for Chronic Conditions, please fill in Medication
Authorisation Form for Chronic Conditions, this form is on request only and is
located in the office.
Immunisation
Parents are free to choose whether their child is immunised or not, but Health
Regulations state that all parents must provide documented evidence of their
child’s immunisation status.
In the event of a breakout of a vaccine preventable disease in the centre, children
who are not immunised will be required to remain at home for the duration of
the outbreak. Duration will be decided upon Ministry of Health guideline.
No enrolment can be completed until this evidence is given, please keep your
child’s immunisation status up-to-date.
14
20 Hours ECE Our centre offers the 20 hours ECE subsidy which is provided by the Ministry
of Education to all 3, 4 and 5 year old children. This is not based on
household income, however, to be eligible you must complete a 20 Hours
ECE Attestation form which confirms your attendance with us and that you
are not attending another early childhood centre at the same time as you
have applied for funding at our centre.
Childcare Subsidy - WINZ WINZ provides a childcare subsidy to help over the cost of fees for eligible
families, you can make contact with WINZ on 0800 774 004 or ask for a copy
of their application form at our reception.
Notice to Withdraw We require 2 weeks written notice should you wish to withdraw your child
from the centre, this can be done via email.
15
Parents Communication
Open communication is the key to any successful relationship. Our aim is
to make communication with parents as open, regular and informative as
possible to ensure relevant information is received by those who need it.
However, we do recognise that time is often restricted, hence we have put
in place various channels to keep you well informed.
These channels includes:
Monthly newsletter
Facebook page
Notice board
Child’s journals
Babies Diary (under 12 months)
Daily Diary
Email memo
Nappy/ sleep/ toileting charts are recorded in each room
Child’s online journals
Parents Feedback
Please feel free to talk to your child’s Room Leader or Centre
Manager if you have any concerns or praise. We love to hear when
things are going well but we also need to know if things can be
improved. You may use our feedback box if you wish to remain
anonymise. Your feedback is much appreciated and we look
forward to work alongside your child and your family.
Level 1, Unit 7
531 Great South Road
Penrose
Auckland 1061
P: +64 9 525 6868
www.mightyminds.co.nz
