Toro Room – 2-3.5 years old
Philosophy
In the Toro room we empower children to become confident life long, self-motivated learners by providing a nurturing and bicultural environment. We believe in establishing reciprocal relationships with a focus on each child as a unique individual.
Unique to Toro
The Toro Room caters for our 2 and 3 year old tamariki here at Westport Kindergarten and builds on the solid foundations that have already been created with aroha and support from your whānau!
This next step in their journey provides many opportunities for our tamariki to express themselves through visual arts, music, movement, and dramatic play. As they develop friendships and work through conflict they are supported by their kaiako.
We are passionate believers in child-led play and know tamariki learn, grow and flourish when they are engaged in work that is meaningful and interesting to them. We begin to weave in group experiences such as hui time where we join together for rhymes and action songs. We also have plenty of opportunities for tamariki to enjoy stories and story telling with lots of conversations.
Visits
Depending on your situation you may have a different timeframe to get ready before your child starts. Where possible it is great to have several visits so they can get used to this new space and get to know their teachers.
Your visit process may look a little like this:
- First: Meet the teachers, look around, ask questions, and share your aspirations
- Second: Stay and play together, giving your child the chance to explore with you there as a secure base
- Third: Let your child know you are popping out for a moment but will be back. This gives them a chance to get to know their kaimanaaki and see that you will return. You might have a cuppa in the whānau room.
- Fourth: Leave for a longer period of time, but stay in the building. The office staff may be available to pop down to see how things are going and keep you updated.
What to bring
- Settling Objects: You may have a soft toy, special blanket, dummy, or other special something to connect to home. Let us know if this is only for bed, however sometimes they may be useful to have out when your child is settling.
- Nappies: If you child requires these, you can bring in enough for the day, or a larger pack to store here.
- Named Clothes: a couple of changes in case of water-play or toileting accidents. (We have spare clothes if needed).
- Food: A lunch box of kai/food that your child would normally have at home. We provide filtered water and cups though you are welcome to bring your own drink bottle if you prefer.
Ratio
1:10
Rhythms and Rituals
The Toro room encourages children to be involved in our regular routines and events. We hold a hui first thing in the morning and again prior to lunch, however we do believe that our tamariki benefit from long periods of uninterrupted free play in a rich and empowering environment.
Toro Daily Routine
8am onwards..
Tamariki & Whānau arrive:
Greeted warmly by kaiako, tamariki may settle into play or start the day with a snack. The kai table will close around 9.30ish.
During the day, tamariki are free to make choices about their interests, learning and areas of play, with planned and spontaneous support, guidance and extension from their peers and kaiako/teachers.
11ish – Hui Time:
Tamariki and kaiako gather together to make connections, share stories, songs and daily happenings following the children’s current interests. Whānau and friends are welcome to join.
11.15ish – Lunch:
The kai table is set up for lunch following Hui Time. Tamariki wash their hands and sit together as a whānau with their lunch boxes. Kaiako are present to support. After lunch tamariki can return to their work and free play.
1ish – Representing/joining Pikopiko:
Tamariki are encouraged (where appropriate) to pack away their work and represent the environment ready for the next day. After pack away the remaining tamariki join with the Pikopiko Room (in either space dependent on number of tamariki) and spend the remainder of the afternoon together. some of the older tamariki may visit the Mōkehu space with a kaiako.
3.30 – 4.30pm – Home:
We farewell those who are heading home and the remaining tamariki return back to their work and free play.
Kaiako continue to support and engage where needed and balance this with completing the final pack away rituals, preparing the environment for the next day. The few Mōkehu tamariki who remain may join us at around 3.30-4.
