OUR PHILOSOPHY

Little Einsteins Teaching and Learning Philosophy for the Education and Care of Children:

At Little Einsteins we provide a service of education that fosters children to “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” (Te Whariki page 9).

Our Centre aims to maintain high quality relationships, provide a stimulating learning environment, reflect the principle of partnership in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and deliver appropriate individualised learning programmes for children. We strive to establish quality assessment and evaluation documentation based upon recognising meaningful learning. Teachers follow a process of noticing, recognising and responding to children’s interactions with people, places, things and ideas.

Relationships
We work to establish high quality relationships. Teachers are open in communication, engaging active listening skills and build shared understanding between children, whanau, colleagues and communities through positive, responsive, reciprocal and respectful interactions. We understand that modelling appropriate social behaviours gives children the chance to learn this too.

Learning Environment
We maintain a stimulating and safe environment that promotes challenge and risk taking. Children are encouraged to learn through experiencing a range of play activities. We aim for these to be child initiated and uninterrupted periods of play with teachers acting as resources themselves, facilitating the learning. We prefer modifiable equipment, made from natural resources where possible, so that our areas of play remain inviting and motivating.

Treaty of Waitangi - Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Little Einsteins acknowledges and reflects the unique place of Maori as tangata whenua, giving children the opportunity to develop knowledge and an understanding of the cultural heritage of both parties to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Teachers reflect this in practice by ensuring programmes include tikanga me ona Te Reo Maori (Maori custom and language).

Individualised Learning
At the heart of individualised learning is responsive, reciprocal relationships- Ako. Teachers endeavour to know children’s strengths and interests facilitating equitable, child initiated activities. This is reflected in our planning, assessment and evaluation cycle. We identify what learning is happening for the child and then look for ways that this can be supported and/or extended following their interests and is documented accordingly.