Phoenix Preschool operates under the Early Childhood Curriculum (Te Whāriki) which supports development of attitudes, skills and knowledge for a successful transition to school.
Children moving from an early childhood setting to the early years of school will develop skills such as self-care, independence, abilty to problem solve, work within a group, communicate and share ideas, listen and follow instructions. The early childhood curriculum is founded on the aspirations that children will ‘grow up as competent and confident learners and communicators, healthy in mind, body and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging and in the knowledge that they make a valued contribution to society’ (MOE 1996, p.9).
Key teachers, work with all parents and children on their individual learning journey to develop goals and extending knowledge based on their interests and enhancing dispositions.
Opportunities for the older children to develop skills for formal learning at Phoenix, happens naturally in our environment as well as at set group times. Each day, a set group time is provided, alongside the current group focus. These group times are planned and supervised by a teacher and may include things such as enhancing scissor skills, writing, drawing, letter recognition, researching topic knowledge as well as working and listening to others’ ideas.
4 year olds are encouraged to take a leadership role at Phoenix, teaching and supporting younger tamariki to develop skills and share knowledge. At lunchtime, 4 year olds eat their kai outside, alongside a teacher. This time is designed to support lunchbox and food management. Just as it will be at school, students have to open lunch boxes and food, and eat sitting on the ground. This lunchtime is also an opportunity for teachers to lead a news time, talk about the letter of the week or read a story.
Phoenix Preschool uses a phonic-based programme called “Letterland”. www.letterland.co.nz It is a unique phonic approach that supports and development of reading, writing and spelling. Pictograms characters are used to explain word sounds and shapes. The letters live in an imaginary place called letter land and their stories develop imagination and activate memory. A new letterland letter is introduced every 2 weeks at Phoenix, often alongside a focus or interest, for example Summer – Sammy Snake’s letter Ss or Holidays – Harry Hatman’s letter Hh. The letter is displayed along with any children whose name starts with that letter. Songs, activity sheets and stories are used to extend knowledge of sounds and letter formation.
Phoenix Preschool students feed into many Mid Canterbury Schools. To support the transition, we pull together all of the knowledge that we have of how your child's learning is best supported, your childs interests and strengths, as well as whānau aspirations - we then share this with your child's school teacher prior or during their school visits. If you have questions about the process of the pathway to school, or about the different schools in Ashburton, you are welcome to approach one of our Pūkeko Kaiako (teachers) who have a wealth of knowledge on this and will be able to support parents who haven’t yet decided on the school of their choice and provide some things to consider when choosing the right school for their child.