Your First Day
ABC Albany Tahi (under 2 years old)
We are so pleased you have decided to join us. The initial settling in period can be a bit daunting for both you and your child, so we’ve created this simple guide to help you. Please feel free to ask the teachers or myself if you have any questions.
What to bring each day
In a school bag please pack:
- 2 x sets of spare clothes (named)
- A sunhat / warm hat (depending on the season)
- Pre-prepared bottles of formula (named) if your child is under 2 years old
- Nappies  (named) if required
- A comforter if required
What to do on your child’s first day
On your first day please come and see me or my 2IC, so we can help re-orientate you to the centre, show you where things go, and let you know what the procedures are etc.
What to do in the morning
- Complete the sign in sheet located in the foyer.
- Put your child’s bag away – your child’s locker or bag hook will have their name on it and is located in the Aroha Tamariki room. The infant room, Aroha Pepi, has their own baskets which are kept in the changing room.
- If your child needs medicine, fill out a medication form located in the Medication Form Folder which is kept in their room and place the named medicine in the fridge.
- Paracetamol Please note we do not keep Paracetamol on the premises and if you require your child to have Paracetamol during the day you will need to sign for it to be administered by a teacher. The Paracetamol must be prescribed by a Doctor and will not be administered to any child for a period greater than 48 hours (2 consecutive days) as per ABC policy. It should be collected at the end of the day. For safety reasons, please refrain from leaving medications in your child’s bag – please hand it to a teacher.
- The Aroha Pepi room teachers make up the baby bottle formulas. If you would like this service please provide the formula. Also please feel free to bring your own ready made bottles if this is what you would like do.
- Settle your child into the room by either engaging them in an activity or approaching a teacher. Don’t forget that initially it’s helpful for you to stay a short while to help your child settle and for you to get to know their teachers.
- To help with the initial separation it’s best to say something like, “Bye, I’ll be back this afternoon” rather than leave unnoticed. Please feel free to discuss the separation process with me or the head teacher in your child’s room if you are unsure at this time.
What to do in the afternoon
- Complete the sign out sheet
- Collect your child’s bag and any belongings that may have slipped out
- Collect formula bottles and medicine (if applicable)
- Check your parent pocket for any notices or invoices
- If you wish, have a quick chat with a teacher to find out more about your child’s day
- Find your child – if they haven’t found you already!
Helpful information for parents
- Illness Children should stay away from the centre when they are ill, and are causing concern (such as when they have no interest in play or participating in activities). They should stay at home if they have little energy, want to sleep or rest for long periods, cry easily, are irritable or in pain.
- Water play We have water play and messy play all year round. It is therefore essential for your child to come equipped with 2-3 spare changes of named clothes.
- Home toys in the centre Please keep precious toys at home. If your child is having difficulty settling in they may bring a comfort toy. Otherwise our centre is well equipped with resources.
- Children away for the day Please advise us. It helps organise our day and gives our chef an idea of numbers to cater for.
- A courtesy call is always appreciated if you are running late for pick up. We charge $1.00 a minute after 6.00pm and a full day’s fee if your child is picked up later than 3.30pm if they are part-time. This will be charged to your account.
- Dummies All dummies need to be clearly named and kept in a container while in the centre.  We encourage children to use dummies only at sleep time. We find children are better able to socialise during the day without a dummy.
- Art box for the 18 month old to 3 year old group This is kept in the foyer. Please check this regularly and take your child’s artwork home. Children’s art work has many excellent uses e.g. wrapping up presents for family and friends, and it makes a great art gallery in the home and in the office or even displayed in a folder for future records.
- Toddler Toes Amanda attends the centre every Friday morning for music and movement sessions with all the children.
- Signing in and out When you arrive at the centre and leave, you MUST sign the daily booking sheets. Your child has their own sign in and out sheet. Please discourage your child from signing the adult pages as these sheets are a Ministry document.
- Bar-scanner All children need to be scanned in as well as signed in. The bar scanner sits next to the sign-in and sign-out sheets.
- Please check your information pocket that has your name on it. This is in the foyer and is used for centre communications i.e. newsletters, accounts and centre information.
- Daily ‘learning experiences‘ The Tamariki Room daily events are up in the foyer for you to read on what has been happening during your child’s day. The Pepi Room ‘learning experiences’ is outside on the room’s wall. These are updated on a daily basis and are linked to children’s learning stories or are the beginnings of a child’s learning story.
- Immunisations This need to be kept up-to-date and we request to sight the certificate when they are up-dated, and to keep a copy of this for our own records. If your child is not immunised we acknowledge this as your choice. We will communicate with parents in the event that there is an outbreak of a communicable disease in the centre.
- Relievers of the day are displayed in the foyer with their photo. We know that children need the continuity and sameness of care and parents also enjoy the familiar faces of staff because of this we strive to maintain the same relievers over a length of time.
- Infants to 18 month olds Children in this age group have their own notebooks, which we use to communicate in conjunction with parents. We note down what has been happening in their child’s day; for example nappies, sleeping, eating and activities are all recorded for parents to read.
- Responding to unwanted behaviors
We use a variety of behaviour management techniques:
~Positive attention
~Redirection and distraction
~Being prepared
~Choices for children
~Disapproval of the behaviour – not the child
~”Use your gentle hands” approach
~Making co-operation fun
~ Feeling good and being good i.e. “that was a bit too heavy for you, next time ask me to help”
- We have the occasional trip out of the centre These are generally in support of following children’s interests and passions. These trips take a lot of organising and involve parental help: our Ministry of Education Regulations require 1:3 ratio and a 1:2 ratio around water. Parent assistance is always appreciated.
The day’s menu is up on the black board in the foyer
This is updated on a daily basis.
- All our hot meals have vegetables grated into them
- All lunch meals are followed by fruit
- Water is offered to all the children at meal times
- If a child chooses not to eat, the next mealtime is only a few hours away and we usually see them eating then.
- Morning tea is at  9.30am. Lunch is at 11.45am. Afternoon tea is at 3.00pm. Late snack is at 4.30pm.
- These are all nutritional snacks consisting of fresh fruit, cheese sticks, carrots sticks, cucumber, raisins, apricots, pineapple, rice crackers, home baking of muffins, crumpets,  pikelets and scones. We offer a range of fresh fruits.
- At no time at the centre will children be given sweets or candy bars as per our Food and Nutrition Policy dated 18 January 2010.
Our  Lunch Time Menu consists of :
- We have freshly cooked mashed veggies every day, prepared by our chef. This consists of Kumara ~ Potato ~ Carrot ~ Pumpkin ~ Parsnip and Silver Beet. Often our infants eat what the older ones have, always served with the specially prepared mashed veggies.
Your child’s portfolio
- The portfolio is a snapshot of their time spent at ABC Albany Tahi. It illustrates your child’s strengths and passions and serves to record their efforts, progress and achievement.
- This is not an assessment of your child, but a record of their learning in progress. This portfolio is confidential to you and your child unless you choose to share it with others. We invite you make positive, helpful comments supporting your child and encouraging positive attitudes towards learning.
All of our policies are kept in the Policy Folder which is located in the front foyer. You are welcome to view these at any time.
Programming
You will often hear us talk about ‘programming’ and see displays up on the walls. Programming is the focus of children’s learning and is based on the passions and interests of individual children or groups of children.
For example, some of our children may develop an interest in aspects of nature. So we support and guide the children’s learning around this by doing research, doing a “show and tell” with nature items from home and we’ll go and explore in the garden. We may even plan a field trip to the museum or visit the community in support of this interest.
Additionally, we encourage you to get involved and help continue this learning at home. To find out more feel free to talk to me or any of our teachers.
Don’t forget…
We encourage you to call and check on your child. We understand that it’s hard for parents to leave their child with us for the first few times, and often it’s more upsetting for the parents than the child! So please feel free to call us as often as you need.
We also realise that the initial settling in period can be hard on some children. Don’t worry; our teachers will keep a close eye on your child and will always be there with lots of cuddles for them.
And finally…
Welcome! We look forward to working with you to help your child develop, grow, learn, laugh and make friends.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to talk to me.
Kind regards,
Amanda MacLeod,
Acting Centre Manager
————————————————————————————————–
ABC Albany Rua (over 2 years old)
We are so pleased you have decided to join us. The initial settling in period can be a bit daunting for both you and your child, so we’ve created this simple guide to help you. Please feel free to ask the teachers or myself if you have any questions.
What to bring each day
In a school bag please pack:
- 2 x sets of spare clothes (named)
- A sunhat / warm hat (depending on the season)
- Nappies if required
- A comforter if required
Please leave special toys at home as they can get lost or damaged.
What to do on your child’s first day
On your first day please come and see me or my 2IC, so we can help re-orientate you to the centre, show you where things go, and let you know what the procedures are etc.
What to do in the morning
- Complete the sign in sheet located in Foyer.
- Scan your child’s name on the bar code sheet located Foyer.
- Put bag away – your child’s locker or bag hook will have their name on it and is located in entrance of each class room.
- If your child needs medicine, fill out a medication form (located in the Medication Form Folder which is kept on the Parent Board) and give the named medicine to a teacher.
- Place named nappies / pull ups in bathroom.
- Settle your child into the room by either engaging them in an activity or approaching a teacher. Don’t forget that initially it’s helpful for you to stay a short while to help your child settle and for you to get to know their teachers.
- To help with the initial separation it’s best to say something like, “Bye, I’ll be back this afternoon” rather than leave unnoticed. Please feel free to discuss the separation process with me or the head teacher in your child’s room if you are unsure at this time.
What to do in the afternoon
- Complete the sign out sheet
- Scan your child’s name on the bar code sheet
- Collect your child’s bag and any belongings that may have slipped out
- Collect  medicine (if applicable)
- Check daily notices and day’s activities board located on the parent’s notice board in each room
- Check your parent pocket for any notices or invoices
- If you wish, have a quick chat with a teacher to find out more about your child’s day
- Find your child – if they haven’t found you already!
Special Achievement Journals and our Policies
- Your child has a Portfolio which chronicles their achievements and learning stories. We encourage you to review and contribute to it on a regular basis. Please ask me or any of our teachers how you can contribute. The Portfolios are kept in the shelf in each room. If you are unsure where they are ask the teacher and they will be able to assist you.
- All of our policies are kept in the Policy Folder which is located in on the shelf opposite the laundry in the foyer. You are welcome to view these at any time.
Routines
Over 2s routine:-varies slightly from room to room, based on the age group.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7.00 | Centre opens, children are settled and any required breakfasts (provided from home) are served, free play for children not requiring breakfast |
| 7.45 | Planned learning experiences are set up |
| 9.00 | Tidy up, sunscreen applied prior to outdoor play |
| 9.40 | Mat-time |
| 10.00 | Washing hands and morning tea |
| 10.30 | Story time, leading into group time |
| 11.00 | Free play |
| 11.25 | Tidy up, music time, washing hands and lunch |
| 12.30 | Rest and sleep time |
| 1.00 | Resters up – indoor/outdoor play with planned learning experiences |
| 2.00 | Sleepers up |
| 2.20 | Tidy up, mat-time, washing hands and afternoon tea |
| 3.00 | Clean up, free play with some setup learning experiences, farewell early finishers |
| 4.45 | Tidy up, washing hands, snack time, story time |
| 5.55 | Farewell last of children |
| 6.00 | Centre closes. |
Mat times and group times lengths are based on children’s developmental stages.
The day’s menu is up on the black board in the foyer
This is updated on a daily basis.
- All our hot meals have vegetables grated into them
- All lunch meals are followed by fruit
- Water is offered to all the children at meal times
- In the Tamariki Room we encourage children to serve themselves and to pour their own drinks
- If a child chooses not to eat, the next mealtime is only a few hours away and we usually see them eating then.
- Morning tea is at  9.30am. Lunch is at 11.45am. Afternoon tea is at 3.00pm. Late snack is at 4.30pm.
- These are all nutritional snacks consisting of fresh fruit, cheese sticks, carrots sticks, cucumber, raisins, apricots, pineapple, rice crackers, home baking of muffins, crumpets,  pikelets and scones. We offer a range of fresh fruits.
- At no time at the centre will children be given sweets or candy bars as per our Food and Nutrition Policy dated 18 January 2010.
Our  Lunch Time Menu consists of :
- Spaghetti Bolognaise ~ Lasagna ~ Macaroni Cheese ~ Cottage Pie ~ Lamb with Mashed Potato or Roast Potato and Veggies served with gravy ~ Bacon and Veggie Fried Rice ~Chicken Casserole ~ Pan Handle Mash ~ Savoury Mince and Rice ~ Fish Fingers and Hash Brown Nuggets ~ Chicken and Rice.
Programming
You will often hear us talk about ‘programming’ and see displays up on the walls. Programming is the focus of children’s learning and is based on the needs and interests of individual children or groups of children.
For example, some of our children may develop an interest in aspects of nature. So we support and guide the children’s learning around this by doing research, doing a “show and tell” with nature items from home and we’ll go and explore in the garden etc.
Additionally, we encourage you to get involved and help continue this learning at home. To find out more feel free to talk to me or any of our teachers.
Don’t forget…
We encourage you to call and check on your child. We understand that it’s hard for parents to leave their child with us for the first few times, and often it’s more upsetting for the parents than the child! So please feel free to call us as often as you need.
We also realise that the initial settling in period can be hard on some children. Don’t worry; our teachers will keep a close eye on your child and will always be there with lots of cuddles for them.
And finally…
Welcome! We look forward to working with you to help your child develop, grow, learn, laugh and make friends.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to talk to me.
Kind regards,
Amanda MacLeod,
Acting Centre Manager