EduKids Queen
February 2017
Centre News
Pukeko Room News
Namaste नमस्ते (Hello in Hindi)!
Kia ora Whānau,
So far we have had two new enrolments
and both parents and their friends have
received a goodie bag which they have
been delighted with! Keep telling all your
friends about us and if they enrol you
will..
WIN a goodie bag for you and a friend!
All you need to do is get a friend to enrol
their child for at least 20 hours! Easy
Peasy! Be in quick - Limited spaces
available!
The Pukeko room has been full of fun and excitement with some recent excursions
out into the community - these have included walks to Queen Square park where
ngā tamariki enjoyed some new physical challenges on the climbing equipment.
The swings were very popular and supports the children in strengthening their
gross motor skills. A yummy picnic was enjoyed by all. There was also a trip to the
library with some of the Kiwi room children to help support our literacy
development. We chose books to look at and a few of us had a turn on the library
computer too. We are hoping to make these excursions a regular part of our
Pukeko room programme so you will see us out and about more often!
We have noticed that there is quite an interest in dramatic/pretend play with lots of
time spent playing with the baby dolls or role playing putting each other to bed -
STORYPARK
this is a favourite game of Jakayda and Sydney's - Sydney will lie on the couch and
Storypark is an extremely valuable tool
for our teachers. We would love for our
parents to start sharing stories and
photos from home and things that your
child loves to do when they are not with
us. If you need any help with using
storypark please come and see me.
Jakayda will cover her with a blanket saying, "Sshhh night night"!!! Dressing up and
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - RA WHĀNAU KIA KOE
We have also noticed that lots of tamariki are starting to talk more learning new
words and developing their communication skills so we will be supporting this
exciting milestone. Another way that we will be supporting our Pukeko room
childrens' communication skills is through using Baby Sign Language so even our
little ones who are unable to communicate verbally will have a way to express their
needs and wants. We will be starting off with a few words at a time and adding to
these as we gain more knowledge - we have a Baby Sign display on the wall next to
the nest so you can check out the symbols and have a go at using them yourselves
at home. A huge thank you to Mary and Talia (Marshal's Mum and big sister) who
are supporting us with this and teaching us the correct signs.

Toprak Medar - 4

Harrison Fuller - 3
IMPORTANT DATES

6th Feb - Waitangi Day

25th - Sea week

27th Feb - Teddy Bears Picnic
WELCOME TO OUR NEW WHĀNAU

exploring in the play kitchen are also loads of fun so this will be one of our focuses
for our next programme planning cycle. Family and Dramatic play can help children
learn to socialise and communicate, understand new experiences, learn language
and practice using it, express their feelings, gain confidence and practice problem
solving.
Mia, Shona and Tash.
Hoani Munro
REMINDERS
Our centre opening hours are
7:30 am –5:30 pm
BestStart for happy, confident learners
Kiwi Room News
Karen’s (Centre cook) Column
Kia Ora Whānau,
Filling Lunch Boxes
Parents often wonder what to put in
lunch boxes when their child is ready
for school.. Here are a few tips
Protein-rich ideas for lunch boxes

Cheese, carrot, cucumber sticks

Grated carrot and cheese
sandwich combo

Yoghurt

Boiled eggs in a sandwhich or a
whole

Lean meats—chicken or turkey,
tuna or salmon

Dips such as hummus are ideal
with vegetable sticks or crackers

Cooked or canned chickpeas or
falafel

Homemade leftovers - roast
chicken, tuna or bean pasta
salad, pizza, chop suey, frittata
etc
Off to school - Sadly we have lost our friends Isaac, Sidak, George and Dhiyaa, who
have all turned 5 and are now starting the next chapter of their learning journey at
primary school. We know you will all do great and wish you the best of luck.
Happy last day - We also farewell our little buddy Beckett who will be going back to
America with his family this month.
Welcome - Hoani Munro. Thank you to Nicole who told Lateisha about us and both
of these ladies received a goodie bag each!
It has been a long time coming but the sunflowers which we planted last year are
finally blooming. Sadly they aren't quite as impressive as the ones Joesph (who has
now left for school) has been planting at home but they are still taller than all of the
children in the Kiwi room!
Our focus on the Maori Gods is still going strong, with the children being given
regular opportunities to explore the realms and treasures of Papatuanuku, Ranginui,
Tane, Tangaroa and Ruaumoko. Over the past few weeks we have been
incorporating more science experiments into this planning focus, with the
children hypothesising and investigating how rain clouds and volcanoes work in a fun
and hands on way. It is also brilliant to see how confident the older children have
become in being able to recognise and name the Maori Gods and how much they
have been enjoying listening to stories and legends about taniwha.
We also celebrated the Chinese New Year (Year of the Rooster) and Waitangi Day
this month. Our dumpling making session was very successful (and delicious) and we
are now in the process of finishing off our own room treaty, which we will display
once all the children have signed it.
On a final note - please, please, please continue to share photos and stories with us
on Story Park, as we are loving being able to see what kinds of things the children do
in their time outside the centre.
Dale, Liz, Sandy and Nadia
Protein is important in helping
children grow and sustain energy
levels during the day
BestStart for happy, confident learners