Bright Beginnings Mt Roskill

Our purpose built childcare centre, which is located at 143 White Swan Road has been running for over four years now. The location is very strategic as it is easily approachable from Mt Roskill Hillsborough, Lynfield and Blockhouse Bay.

The early learning centre incorporates restoration of Turret House (Brooks House), which was on site since 1913. Turret House is now in the loving hands of the children of New Zealand.

The centre is licensed for 105 children, with a license for 25 children under two years of age and 80 children over 2 years of age. The children at the centre have the opportunity to spend time in the Manuka Room (0 to 2 years), Kowhai Room (2 to 3 years) Pohutakawa Room (3 to 4 years) and Kauri Room (4 to 5 years).

The teaching team is strongly inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach. Our centre environment is very unique and acts as the third teacher for the child. The educators encourage open-ended learning through provocations they provide within the centre environment. The identity of the capable and competent learner is visible throughout the centre. Strong relationships with children and their whanau are fostered and we actively work towards engaging with the community.

Projects are explored as vehicles of learning. These projects originate from children’s conversations, ongoing interests and open-ended provocations.

We welcome you into our beautiful learning space.

Feel free to call and speak with our friendly team to book a visit.

Current Learning Possibilities:

This year’s umbrella concept is about “EMPATHY” in which each room has continuously been discovering, exploring and learning in different aspects.

Our Tamariki in Manuka Room have developed a responsive and reciprocal relationship with Kaiako and with other children. Kaiako play an important role in helping children initiate and maintain relationship with their peers. Children experience an environment where they get lots of opportunities to interact while participating in group provocations. It is through interacting with others that the children learn to take another’s point of view, empathise, ask for help, see themselves as a help to others and discuss or explain their ideas.

Recently it has been interesting as we’ve had a couple of younger children start with us and this has extended the children’s’ learning greatly as they learn to interact with children under the age of one. They are learning that interacting with younger children is different than interacting with older children. Older children are seen offering toys to the younger ones and giving special hugs and blow kisses to them. Children show empathy towards their peer by taking turns and making sure that everybody in included and is having fun along with them.

Our toddlers in Kowhai Room engage in various group activities where they are learning to share resources with their peers and taking turns. Toddlers are showing a sense of care towards their friends as they support them while taking care of their needs such as helping to put shoes on, or offering them water when they are upset. Kaiako are supporting children through reading books and extend their understanding about empathising towards others around them, by role modelling and using kind words when talking to others.

In Pohutukawa room, as part of our group project focusing on “Empathy” we have introduced “Kindness Jar” as a way to motivate children to be kind to each other. The contribution towards filling up the jar is discussed with the children at mat-times. We observe child’s kind behaviour and then encourage them to fill up the jar. To foster the environment of kindness we have also put up wall displays in the room which will extend their visual learning regarding being kind. Displayed are the kindness acts which we encourage children in our learning environment. We do have discussions with children on daily basis about being kind to one another in the room. For promoting parents participation we requested them to share the kindness acts of their children that they show at home.

Our preschoolers in Kauri Room are promoting the values of helpfulness, generosity and courtesy frequently while interacting with their peers. With encouragement, children are learning to understand the needs, feelings and emotions of others and thus building respectful, responsive and positive relationships with each other. Our children are also practicing their empathetic skills through both planned opportunities and the use of teachable moments.  Recently, we encouraged our tamariki to paint some natural rocks in their favourite colours and patterns with some golden words written on them. They proudly displayed these rocks around the room that reinforce them to be kind and empathetic with others. Educators acknowledge and reward the children for their ‘Act of kindness’ on regular basis. Therefore we are cultivating the environment of ‘Empathy’ around us. At the same time, our kaiako are supporting the children by providing them intentional help to nurture empathy through reading e-books, playing team building games and being a role model to our little ones.

According to renowned psychologists Daniel Goleman and Paul Ekman, empathy have three components namely cognitive, emotional and compassionate. Children learn empathy both from watching others and from experiencing it. When we show empathy to children, they develop trust, confident, comfort and secure relationships. Also, adapting to the values and modelling positive behaviour from parents, teachers and friends, helps children build their empathy for others.

Ehara taku toa i te toa

takitahi engari he toa

takimano

(My strength is not that of

an individual but that of

the collective)

Over the past couple of months, we have been noticing that our children have been showcasing a sense of care for their peers and developing tuakana/teina relationship. Our children are being sensitive to the feelings of their peers and comforting each other through verbal and non-verbal communication.

Hence, following the vision of our centre and with the guidance of the strategic planning within the centre, we aim to inculcate a sense of ‘Atawhai’ that is, Empathy, to our tamariki. This year, the centre’s internal evaluation focus goal is:
“In what ways can we embrace empathy towards others (Kaiako, whanau, tamariki and wider community) in the center and practice it everyday?”

We, as a team, would like to support our tamariki to engage in a meaningful relationship where they understand the needs of each other and show cooperation to create a sense of belonging to the environment.

Covid has crept into our community again and the nation of 5 million is back in Level 4. We hope all of you are keeping safe in this Level 4 Lockdown.  It is indeed a difficult time for all of us and once again a test of the very strong partnership that exists within our Bright Beginnings family.

Connecting with our children and families are important to us. We hope you are all keeping safe and well during this time. Following protocols of maintaining good hygiene, social distancing, washing hands, wearing mask and keeping our bubble will greatly benefit the health and well-being of everyone.

Kaiako are there for our children providing online learning and links for all to enjoy,  focusing on story time, singing songs, cooking activity and sensorial exploration in which all children are happy to take part. We are sharing some recipes based on our menu as we know our lovely tamariki are missing their centre food as much as they are enjoying mum and dad’s cooking at this time.

We acknowledged and celebrated “Daffodil Day” – which gave opportunity to raise awareness of cancer in New Zealand. To mark this day, BBELC teaching team encouraged our parents and children to engage in an activity to help foster an understanding about the significance of this day. This is our way of showing love, empathy and support to people suffering from cancer, not to mention the ongoing pandemic that we are experiencing at the moment.

We are missing you all. Praying that this pandemic will be over. Stay safe in your bubbles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjBGYh9TEGM

https://youtu.be/brXBp_4sypE

https://youtu.be/UGDMcAhaqoI

https://youtu.be/pj5d2r9NTc8

https://tereosingalong.my.intuto.com/course/view/75924?fbclid=IwAR3rsjZWjhHZinaHVGUTVSuAtrGYMeuEC5aAq4ANy3jLq-2Jnsj9eHMmWwg#/1088215

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtKtUKbrnkw

Parents Feedback and Comments during Lockdown Alert 4

August 2021

Safia Sana (Saima & Samar)

Thank you so much Diane for such a wonderful mail. I really appreciate the effort which you people are doing in this hard time. Will try to make something on this Daffodil day🥰.

Fathima Uduman (Imaan)

Hi Diana,

We managed to create a craft to mark daffodils day out of whatever we found at home. Imaan enjoyed doing it. And so mommy too! We’d love to share pictures with BBELC family!

Fathima Uduman (Imaan)

Thanks BBELC! Really appreciate it, during such difficult times.

Sharol Puran (Aamaya)

Thanks for sharing, awesome educational videos – keep adding them in, always on the lookout for new inspiration to share with her.

Elvie Ong (Chloe & Kaylee)

Hi everyone! Chloe and Kaylee are doing well at home. Keeping busy with the videos you sent, baking and coloring! Chloe misses her friends and teachers especially her best friend Chloe Wilson. I hope everyone is safe and well! Thanks teachers for keeping in touch and supporting parents! Our family would also like to thank all the essential workers for all your work and help.

Katrina Bennett (Liam )

Thanks for the resources -just wondering if you could share any of your centre lunch recipes. Liam eats well for you guys but I find that we struggle with veges at home. Thanks

Faye Kirit (Allen )

Thank you BBELC family… indeed the sudden lockdown level 4 is unexpected. Thank you for the updates and to all the teachers supporting and guiding the children. Take care and keep safe as well.

Ruskin Dantra (Yavin)

Thank you for sharing those links, very handy.

Key Dates for 2022:

31 January – Centre Closed Auckland Anniversary

01 February – Chinese New Year

06 February – Waitangi Day

04 March – Children’s Day

09 March – Parent’s Evening

11 – 14 April – Easter Celebrations in Centre

15 – 18 April – Easter Break

25 April – Centre Closed Anzac Day

2 May – Eid-al Fitr

6 May – Mother’s Day High Tea

20 May – Pink Shirt Day

6 June – Centre Closed Queen’s Birthday

20 – 23 June – Matariki celebrations in Centre

24 June – Centre Closed Matariki