Our Rooms
Active Explorers Nelson Street is divided into three learning spaces, each heavily influenced by the RIE principles surrounding respect. Consideration of age and development, and emotional readiness play an important role in the placement of a new child within the centre.
Nursery
Spacious and well equipped, our Nursery is rich in natural, open ended resources and challenging yet safe equipment that allows children to extend themselves. We also have a large covered deck so children are able to play outside rain or shine. We follow the natural rhythms and routines of each child using a system closely linked to primary caregiving. We believe in providing children with a peaceful environment with plenty of small spaces for individual or parallel play. Following Magda Gerber’s philosophy of free movement, our Nursery allows children to naturally develop at their own pace.
Daily Routine
8:00 am: Centre opens/free play
9:45 am: Morning kai time
10:00 am: Free play
11:30 am: Lunch time
12:00 pm: Free play
2:30 pm: Afternoon kai
2:45 pm: Free play
4:00 pm: Late snack if needed
5:00 pm: Centre closes
This routine is flexible to meet children’s needs throughout the day. Children sleep and have bottles as required for their individual routine, and meal times are also flexible depending on their needs. Learning experiences are provided throughout the day. Nappy changes are done at approximately 10:30 am, 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm unless needed sooner, and a check at 4:00 pm if needed. Spontaneous mat times with music and storytelling are facilitated as prompted by the children.
Toddler Room
We are the only centre in Greymouth to offer a separate toddler area for 2 year olds. The teacher to child ratios in this room are usually 1:6/7 rather than the legal 1:10. That means children are better supported as they assert their independence and develop language and social competence skills. Children are encouraged to be independent and to take responsibility for their belongings, environment and their actions. The environment supports self-initiated and emergent learning opportunities, with a variety of activities and resources that extend children’s interests.
Daily Routine
8:00 am: Centre opens/free play
9:45 am: Mat time
10:00 am: Morning kai time
10:15 am: Free play
11:30 am: Clean up/prepare for mat time
11:45 am: Mat time
12:00 pm: Lunch time
12:30 pm: Free play/prepare for naps
2:30 pm: Mat time
2:45 pm: Afternoon kai
3:15 pm: Clean up/prepare to transition to Preschool
4:00 pm: Go to Preschool, combined routine with Preschool
5:00 pm: Centre closes
This routine is flexible to meet children’s needs throughout the day. Children sleep and have bottles as required for their individual routine, and meal times are also flexible depending on their needs. Learning experiences are provided throughout the day. Nappy changes are done at approximately 10:00 am, 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm unless needed sooner. Toilet training occurs to meet children’s current needs/requests.
Preschool
Our Preschool caters for 3 to 5 year olds in a spacious, well equipped room. Good relationships with local new entrant school teachers mean children are well supported during their transition to school. Teachers support and extend children’s individual learning by offering resources and learning opportunities centred around the children’s interests, promoting child-led, inquiry-based learning. Children are encouraged to be independent and take responsibility for themselves and their belongings and are empowered to negotiate through their own conflict resolutions.
Daily Routine
8:00 am: Centre opens/free play
9:45 am: Rolling morning kai
10:00 am: Free play
11:30 am: Clean up time
11:45 am: Mat time
12:00 pm: Lunch time
12:30 pm: Free play
2:30 pm: Clean up time
2:45 pm: Mat time
3:00 pm: Afternoon kai/free play
4:00 pm: Late snack
5:00 pm: Centre closes
This routine is flexible to meet children’s needs throughout the day. Children sleep as required for their individual routine, and meal times are also flexible depending on their needs. Learning experiences are provided throughout the day. Nappy changes are done at approximately 10:00 am, 1:00 pm and 4:00pm unless needed sooner.