We believe..
The relationship is all
Relationships that are based on respect, honesty, trust and authenticity are at the centre of our philosophy and underpins our everyday practice. Primary caregiving is paramount for building these relationships with new children and their families. We believe a child’s voice should always be heard, and respected and the same view is applied to family, whanau, and all adults that play their part in A Child’s Place.
“Trust is the glue of life. It is the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It is the foundational principle that holds all relationships” Stephen Covey
Rituals and care moments
For infants at A Child’s Place ‘care moments’ are valued as the optimum time for building connections.
Rituals are embedded in meal times, sleep times and transition times for our older children giving them a sense of empowerment as they can predict, and participate in a shared experience or moment.
“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive” Dalai Lama
Emotional development
We value and recognise that for children to begin playing their emotional needs must be satisfied. At A Child’s Place through guidance and support children will develop emotional, social and life skills to contribute positively to society.
Our holistic approach to care and education promotes children’s well being through consistent, warm relationships which connect the various aspects of a child’s world.
“People with a high level of people literacy have the best chance of happiness in life” Pennie Brownlee, Kimberley Crisp
Learning through play
We believe in nature and play as important simple pleasures for children which enhance child development. We believe in providing an aesthetically pleasing environment that is full of loose parts, natural resources, and open ended materials. Learning through play is a term used in education and psychology to describe how a child can learn to make sense of the world around them. Through play children can develop social and cognitive skills, mature emotionally, and gain the self-confidence required to engage in new experiences and environments.
“Play is the work of childhood” Jean Piaget
Our environment
It is important to us that our environment is warm, nurturing and one that provides positive learning outcomes for children. A Child’s Place is a home away from home where all children are respected and recognised for their diverse cultural heritage. We also value the multi-cultural diversity of the local community and the importance of people that contribute to the wider world children are connected to.
“Let the uniqueness of the child guide our work” Jenna Horrell
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Shared philosophy
All staff are carefully selected and have the unique qualities that support our philosophy at A Child’s Place.
It is important that everything we do as teachers is done authentically and comes straight from the heart.
“Wherever you go leave a heart print” anon