EARLY LEARNING CENTRE
The Early Learning Centre is situated alongside the Prep School (Years 1 - 2) at King’s School. It is here that the foundation for all future learning, self confidence and independence is developing. Boys can start with us from the age of 4 years old.
In the King's School environment the Early Learning Centre boys are offered many 'outside of the classroom' opportunities including music, swimming, games, Chapel and visiting local amenities such as the Remuera library. Boys also use the extensive grounds at King's School for exploration and discovery - allowing boys to be boys!
Our aim is for the boys in the Early Learning Centre to develop confidence to effectively communicate their needs; to have strategies to seek help; to be able to manage their own lunch box and belongings; and to have an understanding of keeping themselves safe.
The King's School Early Learning Centre provides an environment where children:
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Feel safe and secure
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Have positive experiences to develop a healthy self-esteem
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Have connecting links with family and the wider world
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Are affirmed as individuals
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Know the limits and boundaries of acceptable behaviour
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Have play that is valued as meaningful learning and learn the importance of spontaneous play
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Develop non-verbal and verbal communication skills for a range of purposes
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Learn strategies for active exploration, thinking and reasoning
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Develop different ways to be creative and expressive
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Have consistent, but flexible routines
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Have programmes that are exciting and promote optimal learning
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Are in an environment where literacy and numeracy are important
OUR PHILOSOPHY
The Early Learning Centre's planned programmes are based on Te Whariki (the national childhood curriculum) and the belief that children learn best through play - the natural activity of early childhood. Learning and development is fostered through children's experiences so that optimal learning can take place.
Our practices and programmes recognise that all children are capable and competent learners who need space and opportunity to explore, experiment and take risks. At the King's School Early Learning Centre this is most evident in the ways that teachers follow the boys' interests, support them to 'do' for themselves, challenge thinking and aim to create aesthetic, inspiring and wondrous learning spaces that encourage the boys to express themselves and explore in a variety of ways.
We believe that the boys and families attending the Early Learning Centre need to feel a strong sense of belonging, not only to the centre, but also to the greater school environment. This will enable them to feel confident to take risks and to know they can achieve in an emotionally and physically safe environment.
We see communication, authentic conversations and having a language-rich setting as a key part to the ongoing development and education of the boys. These aspects we believe will help provide them with the tools to be able to express themselves clearly and to share their ideas, to be creative, innovative and enterprising thinkers and to be curious, inquiring and open-minded. These are the tools they will need for tomorrow's world.
ERO (EDUCATION REVIEW OFFICE) REPORT, 2014
The King's School Early Learning Centre was reviewed in 2014 at the conclusion of its second year of operation. The report was extremely complimentary on the school's focus on respect and values and the highly-experienced staff's cohesive approach to teaching and learning:
"Boys enjoy their learning. They are articulate communicators, independent and self-managing. They know how to interact appropriately with others, show care and concern, and play safely and inclusively. They have rich opportunities to learn new skills, knowledge, and ways of working and thinking. Older boys lead and support others with confidence.
The boys have a strong sense of belonging in the centre. Teachers are caring and supportive. They are highly focussed on encouraging the boys to make positive choices and to take pride in their learning. Teachers listen attentively to the boys' ideas and extend their thinking through purposeful conversations and open-ended questions. King's values of kindness, humour, generosity, courtesy and perseverance are evident in centre practices."
A full copy of the ERO Report may be downloaded here
