New centre for little learners
■ The gentleman who crossed the road to pick up a man who fell outside the police station.
■ Christmas Light Trail. Te Awamutu Rod and Custom Club loved the run on Tuesday night.
■ The people at Te Awamutu Bible Chapel for caring and giving unconditionally to a member of the community.
NOT
■ Businesses who advertise for staff and never bother to let know you if you were successful or not.
■ Stinky, smokey bonfires on a lovely hot summer day.
■ The man who abused me for parking in his business carpark for one minute while I assisted my 96-year-old mother out of the car.
A new early learning centre on Te Rahu Rd believes it takes big hearts to shape little minds.
Little Minds Early Learning Centre is licensed for 50 children, including 12 under two year olds.
It prides itself on helping little ones reach their full potential, “just as the koru unfurls into a silver fern”.
The centre is separated into two main areas — The Koru Room and the Fern Room — and has two outdoor areas.
The Koru Room cater for babies to two years and the Fern Room is for two to five year olds.
Centre manager Sharon has more than 18 years’ experience in teaching and managerial roles in centrebased and home-based childcare.
“My passion is to provide quality early childhood education and care to all children,” she says. “I believe it takes a big heart to teach little minds and we have carefully chosen teachers that have really big hearts. All our teachers are passionate and enjoy working with children.”
Sharon says the centre strives to have a diverse and welcoming environment.
“Our aim is to offer children and their families a quality education programme firmly embedded within the bicultural and multicultural Aotearoa.”
The Centre follows the Ministry of Education and Te Whariki Early Learning curriculum.
It also participates in the government’s 20 Hours ECE scheme. Parents can get up to 20 hours a week of early childhood education paid for by the government.
The centre believes in play-based learning, with a range of activities available such as baking, sand play, water play, art, puzzles, music, mat time, books and games. diversity of
“Teachers will follow the children’s interests, as well as growing their minds by introducing new experiences to excite their imagination,” Sharon says.
“When our children leave our centre they will be equipped with all the skills and passion to continue on their lifelong learning journey.”
The centre is also working towards being environmentally conscious. It has a vegetable garden and worm farm, and children make their own beeswax wraps instead of using plastic. Children also get their own ‘wet bag’ to use instead of plastic bags.
The centre’s opening hours are 7.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday and the centre recommends that children attend a minimum of two sessions per week.
“This enables continuity and routine for the children, allowing them to feel comfortable at Little Minds.”
Little Minds Early Learning Centre 762 Te Rahu Rd. For more information email admin@littlemindselc.co.nz or contact 871 2824 or 021 162 2446.