Year: 2012

Philosophy: Stepping Stones Early Childhood Centre’s teaching philosophy involves a respectful, interactive approach, containing flexibility and adaptability in a fun, warm, caring environment where we can develop trusting bonds with individual children that encourage them to explore, engage and achieve. We see young children as unique competent individuals and strive to encourage them in a way that maximises creativity and learning experiences in stimulating environments that work for individual children. By drawing ideas and inspiration from the environment, we aim to develop creativity and awareness of our world around us. We have consideration and passion for our learning environment and take pride in how it is set up and utilised. As whānau/families are their children’s first teachers, we strive to ensure that children and their whānau/families feel welcome and valued, and have positive experiences in the centre. At Stepping Stones we use ongoing observation and evaluation to assess whether or not the centre is meeting the needs of the children in ways that respect and promote their individuality, culture and values. We aim to see that children and their whānau/families are empowered with decision making opportunities through the documentation of the children’s learning. At Stepping Stones, we strive to invest quality time with each child, listening and observing carefully to learn their unique way of communicating. We respect them as individual people who are growing, developing and learning in a holistic manner, and positively view, accept and understand variations in creativity, learning and development of each child. Stepping Stones endorses the principles, goals and aims of Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum. The environment encourages children to develop at their own pace, whilst remaining healthy and safe in an equitable programme. Teaching Vision: Teachers are passionate, innovative and enthusiastic about maximizing children’s learning opportunities. We embrace the children’s strengths, aspirations, needs and interests. We plan activities to extend children’s development and working theories, which will foster life skills that will support them as confident, co-independent learners. The environment is influenced by the ‘Reggio’ philosophy and we have a strong emphasis on the creative arts, science, nature and physical development. Key Feature: At Stepping Stones, we aim to have an environment that is vibrant and ever changing, where creative art is seen as an inaugural part of our curriculum. The Centre is influenced by the Reggio Emilio philosophy which means: Children are encouraged to lead the direction of their learning. Children are encouraged to learn through the experiences of touching, moving, listening, seeing and hearing. Children experience relationships with other children and with material items, with which they are encouraged to explore. Children experience endless ways and opportunities to express themselves. Teachers will create environments that support children’s learning. Phone: 06 7524289