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We aim to work alongside our early learning centre tamariki and whānau using the surrounding environment as the third teacher. We value open communication and teamwork to foster whakawhanaungatanga, mana whānau - belonging, whakamana - empowerment and kotahitanga - holistic development at Busy Bees Coopers Beach.
Our environment is made up of 2 separate areas within our early learning centre; Te Ruma Pipi [The Pipi Room] 0-2 years, a small shell settling into its new environment and beginning to learn and grow. When it comes time for our Pipi tamariki to flourish and grow into a bigger ‘shell’ they will then become a Paua and join Te Ruma Paua [The Paua Room] 2-5 years.
Our outdoor areas are ruma, are tailored to each age and stage of learning and development, they offer a range of equipment and resources which promote active exploration, thinking and reasoning along with turn-taking, experimentation, challenges and fun as they learn what their bodies are capable of. Our indoor environment offers areas to enjoy music and movement, paint like van Gogh, create, imagine & discover with collage & loose parts, construct towers, bake with friends, role play in the family corner, do a puzzle or read a book in our quiet nook. A place for fun, laughter, questions, curiosity, imagination, challenge, involvement, companionship, and love.
Our inhouse cook provides freshly made, dietitian designed meals for children each day using our Nourish menus and recipes. We believe that through nourishing food, children are fueled to thrive physically and mentally, whilst enjoying the benefits of coming together and connecting as a group at mealtimes.
Teachers also do regular baking with the children, which provides them opportunities to engage and learn a range of food preparations skills and fine motor movements such as pouring, sifting, spooning. It is a great hands on sensory experience for children to develop independence through self-help skills, practice simple maths as they measure and count quantities.
Our centre has vegetable gardens and fruit trees. These gardens help tamariki learn through hands-on activities, encourage them to work together to plant and harvest, and teach them where food comes from. They also help children develop a love for nature and care for the environment.
We also proudly operate our own Busy Bees Coopers Beach centre van, allowing us to help support our childcare centre whānau who require assistance with transport to and from the centre. We also utilise this awesome resource for excursions out and about in our local community, which are always fantastic learning opportunities!