News
22 January 2025
Welcoming the New Year with a Splash of Summer!
Happy New Year to everyone far and wide! As we kicked off January at St Luke’s, we couldn’t have asked for a better start to the year. The sun was shining brightly, filling the air with warmth and energy, while the cheerful chirps of birds set a peaceful tone for the day. The highlight, of course, was the children – their laughter and joy filled the air as they splashed and played, embracing the season with open arms. There’s something magical about the beginning of a new year, and what better way to celebrate than by soaking in the summer sunshine? The excitement and happiness of the little ones reminded us of the beauty of new beginnings and the simple joys that life has to offer. As we move into this new year, we’re filled with hope, gratitude, and anticipation for the many adventures that lie ahead. Whether you're near or far, we wish you all a bright and joyful start to 2025. Let’s carry the spirit of warmth, joy, and community with us throughout the year ahead. Here’s to more moments of happiness and connection!
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16 January 2025
Our First Excursion for 2025!
Kia ora whānau, On Friday, we embarked on our long-awaited first excursion to the beautiful patch of bush just around the corner from us at Preston Bush. What an adventure it turned out to be! As we wandered through the forest, we were busy observing the tiny trees growing into towering giants, discovering intricate spider webs, and lifting logs to uncover what was hidden beneath. We were using all our senses to explore the world around us, trying to find out what creatures call this place home. Then, just as we were deep in our investigations, the rain began to fall. No worries though— the trees provided a natural canopy, keeping us sheltered as we continued on our journey. Our next discovery was an inviting low branch, perfect for climbing and playing on. Just as we were about to enjoy it, one of our youngest adventurers set off on their own exploration of what seemed to be a lovely clearing of soft leaf matter on the ground. Our Kaiako, however, quickly realised that this spot might not be the best choice for exploring—it was wet and muddy. And before we knew it, our little explorer had gotten stuck in the bog! 😬 Soon, one by one, another half dozen curious children ventured into the boggy mess, each discovering the same thing: the further they went, the muddier it got. Each one ended up needing a helping hand from our Kaiako to escape! Wet, muddy, and a bit flustered, we eventually managed to free ourselves and found a drier, less boggy path to sit and enjoy our morning tea. By the time we returned to the Toddler Room, we were covered in mud but filled with exciting stories to share. Although it was a messy adventure, we can’t wait to visit again—next time, perhaps with fewer little ones and with some of our older friends from the Rimu room, who can help us identify the safer spots to explore without getting stuck in the mud! Here are a few snapshots from our adventure. They might be few due to the rain and excitement, but they offer a glimpse of the fun we had. We can’t wait for more!
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13 January 2025
Engaging with your Child's Early Learning Centre Philosophy
Did you know that at the beginning of each year, your child’s Early Learning Centre undergoes a philosophy review where all parents are encouraged to provide their ideas, suggestions and feedback on the Centre philosophy?
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13 January 2025
Our Holiday Programme!
What a fun filled week we have had this week for our holiday program. We have had to have some inside time due to the rain but we didn't let that stop us from having fun and once it was sunny we were outside enjoying the fresh air and warmth. Monday was Storytelling Day. Coming into the nursery/preschool room after the new year break, our day was quite mixed up weather-wise, cold and a little drizzly. However, our Isla came in dressed as Old MacDonald's Farm and brought her farm book along with her. As everyone else arrived, we had classic puzzles on the table of The Three Little Pigs, Billy Goats Gruff and Little Red Riding Hood. Tuesday, we had Water/Beach Day. For our classroom provocation we had four water trays with sea creatures in them. We had decorated your own beach towel in our art area. We got outside to do some water play and to play in the sandpit. We put out impression tiles for our tamariki to enjoy we were at the beach with an ice cream to end our day with. Wednesday was Fruit Day. We had three different kai times where we were able to educate our tamariki of the fruits they had in their lunch boxes. Our provocation for the day was fruit sorting with tongs on trays, we had our own ice cream pictures, coloured by different coloured dye and towards our afternoon tea, we cut up mandarins, banana and apples to share. Thursday was Wheels Day. We decided to surprise our tamariki with a mini excursion to our carpark to ride around in with their favourite mode of transportation. This gave our children the opportunity to ride in an area that they would see their own whanau bringing them to preschool. What a blast wheels day was! The tamariki did some great sharing of their bikes with each other and we got to have a little adventure and ride the bikes somewhere a little new. And lastly, Friday was Nature Day. We set up our nature trays with sand, leaves, pinecones and shells. On the other provocation table, we had puzzles that highlighted the different seasons. It was a great Holiday Programme week.
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20 December 2024
Our trip to the Hamilton Zoo
At our centre, we believe in the power of community and the importance of bonding with our whānau. Recently, we had the incredible opportunity to take our entire whānau on an exciting adventure to the Hamilton Zoo. It was an unforgettable experience, filled with laughter, learning, and quality time spent with the tamariki (children) and their families. The day was filled with smiles as the tamariki explored the zoo, discovering a wide variety of animals and learning about the natural world. From majestic lions to playful monkeys, every moment was a chance for curiosity to bloom. It was heartwarming to see the tamariki's eyes light up with excitement, and equally wonderful to see our whānau come together, sharing in the joy of the day. We truly treasure these moments of connection, as they strengthen the bond between tamariki, whānau, and our centre. It's not just about the animals we saw but the memories we created together. Being out and about with our whānau is a joy we can’t get enough of. We look forward to more adventures, where we continue to nurture our sense of community and share these special moments with all our families!
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20 December 2024
Our Magical Christmas Door Display
This holiday season, our early learning centre has been transformed into a Christmas wonderland, thanks to the creativity and hard work of our amazing teachers. The Christmas door display is not just a beautiful sight, it's an interactive, festive experience that has brought our community closer together. Each classroom door is uniquely decorated, sparking joy and excitement in children, parents, and teachers. The display has created a fun, engaging atmosphere for our children, with photo booths, walking through archways, and windows for selfies. The display has filled our halls with laughter, creativity, and holiday cheer, bringing everyone together to celebrate the season. A huge thank you to our teachers, parents, and students for making this Christmas so special! Happy Holidays! 🎄✨
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20 December 2024
Wrapping up the year! (1)
Kia Ora, What a month of celebrations is December! The children have been busy making Christmas decorations to adorn their rooms. There is a festive spirit in the air and the children are catching on to it. And not only decorations, the children baked gingerbread cookies, decorated their Christmas tree in the room and made special cards and gifts for their mums and dads. We had a fun puppet show for the children which they thoroughly enjoyed! The laughter of the children while watching the show says it all! After the puppet show we had the Christmas Party in the afternoon which was a big hit. All the parents enjoyed the concert presented by our children in their full volumes. Well done to all the children for expressing such confidence while performing! Then Santa arrived to give gifts to children which was a delight. Then we all had a very yummy afternoon tea with all the mums and dads. We also had a photo session for the parents which they appreciated. We wish all our families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year!!! Connections to Te Whariki (ECE curriculum) learning outcomes: Children are provided with an environment where: • Making connections between people, places and things in their world | te waihanga hononga
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10 December 2024
Our Mara Kai Garden is blooming!
Over the past couple of months, the Tamariki in Kōwhai Room have been learning about how to care for our Mara Kai Garden, through planting the vegetables, to watering them, pulling out the weeds and, lastly harvesting the vegetables for our kai here at Active Explorers Greenmeadows. There has been real excitement watching the vegetables grow, harvesting the yummy strawberries each day, and most recently being able to harvest the broccoli which we have been able to eat as part of our Summer afternoon platter! We have been able to harvest our greens to go into our Pepe vegetables which our children have thoroughly enjoyed eating! Our tamariki have been learning how to become kaitiaki for our gardens, and they have done an amazing job! We have delving deeping into Maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar, which is used to guide planting and harvesting, and it is definitely paying off as look at our vegetables thriving!
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06 December 2024
Water Play
There is no denying the calming effect that water can have on most children! Whether it be splashing in the bath, playing in puddles, going for a swim or engaging with water play, most children are delighted when offered opportunities in these experiences!
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03 December 2024
Wrapping up the year!
What a fantastic start to the month we’ve had with our celebration of Diwali, the festival of lights! The children had an amazing time singing, dancing, and creating their own diyas, which they later lit up, illuminating the space with joy. We also made some delicious sweets, which we shared with our parents—another lovely way to bring our community together. A special highlight was the photo shoot we organized for the children. They absolutely loved it, and we can’t wait for the parents to enjoy the professional photos of their little ones. Science continues to be an exciting part of our curriculum. The children’s curiosity was piqued as they explored the mystery of why pinecones open and close. This hands-on experiment was a great way to help them develop crucial skills like understanding cause and effect, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Another favourite was our sensory nature tray, where the children explored the textures, colours, and smells of various flowers and leaves. They observed how the changing seasons affect nature, sparking thoughtful questions and encouraging them to think critically. This activity also helped strengthen their sensory awareness, fine motor skills, language development, and understanding of mathematical concepts, all while fostering social interaction. Our balloon painting activity was a colourful and fun experience! As the children painted, they experimented with mixing colours and creating patterns, watching as new shades emerged before their eyes. This creative experience promoted not only artistic expression but also critical thinking, communication, and fine motor skills. In the babies’ room, we had a delightful gardening session, where we introduced the children to our newly planted carrot plants. The children were so excited to pull one out of the soil, eagerly exploring the carrot’s vibrant colour and texture. We sliced it up for tea, and the children enjoyed tasting the fruits of their exploration. This hands-on experience provided a wonderful opportunity for them to connect with nature and learn about where our food comes from. Our tamariki also had fun experimenting with different textures using gloop, playdough, and clay. They got creative making gingerbread men and even joined in the kitchen to bake cupcakes—a well-deserved sweet treat after all their hard work! Through these activities, the children are building connections, exploring the world around them, and nurturing their curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking, all aligned with the principles of Te Whāriki. Connectios to Te Whāriki (ECE Curriculum) Learning Outcomes: In our learning environment, children are encouraged to: Make connections between people, places, and things in their world | te waihanga hononga Keep themselves healthy and care for themselves | te oranga nui Engage in play, imagination, invention, and experimentation | te whakaaro me te tūhurahura i te pūtaiao
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02 December 2024
The Festive Season begins!
The festive season is upon us, and we're excited to give you a sneak peek of what it might look like at St Lukes. While we're all familiar with a summer Christmas here in New Zealand, we're taking a fun twist by blending the two themes together. So, what can you expect? Picture a snow machine creating a wintery atmosphere with special liquid that mimics the look of snow. This will be part of our Children's Christmas Party at the park on Thursday, December 12th. Everyone is invited to join us, watch Santa hand out presents to the children, enjoy a relaxing yoga session, and indulge in a delicious Christmas cupcake with a healthy twist.
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29 November 2024
The Blessing of Learning Adventures Henderson: A Family’s Journey
Our journey with Learning Adventures Henderson has been a true blessing for our entire family. In 2018, our whānau made the big move to West Auckland, and shortly after, our children, Quinn and Tairua, started daycare there. From the very beginning, we felt welcomed into a community that radiated whānaungatanga. The teachers were not just caregivers—they loved our kids as if they were their own. The connection between the staff and our children was so genuine, and it was clear that Learning Adventures was a place that truly cared about nurturing each child's unique growth. What stood out to us was the extra attention given to after-evening activities, with initiatives designed to nurture our children's skills and interests. These thoughtful programs played a key role in their development, and we saw the impact firsthand. As our family grew, so did our connection with Learning Adventures. When our youngest, Kauri, came along, we watched as our children moved through the rooms—each one growing and developing through well-planned activities and supported by loving staff. It was a beautiful experience to witness them learning about the world and discovering their own personalities and interests in such a caring environment. In 2021, Learning Adventures Henderson took a creative step to rename the rooms, asking us, the parents, to submit suggestions and vote on names. For our family, trees have always held a special significance. Trees are not only vital for our survival—they absorb carbon dioxide and provide us with clean air to breathe. They offer shelter, housing, and medicines to help us fight disease. They are symbols of life and growth. Our family has a tradition of planting our children’s placentas under trees in places of meaning to us. Quinn’s placenta is buried beneath a Puriri tree in Hamilton, where he was born. Tairua’s placenta rests beneath a Pohutakawa tree in Tairua, the place her name comes from. Kauri’s placenta lies beneath a mighty Kauri tree in Northland, where many of the country’s largest Kauri trees grow. When I saw the opportunity to suggest names for the daycare rooms, I thought of these three iconic New Zealand native trees. I felt they would represent the stages of growth and learning our children go through in each room. Puriri Tree (Baby Room) I am from the Bay of Islands, and for Māori, the Puriri tree is considered a symbol of joy at being alive. The saying "Ka kata ngā pūriri ō taiamai" reflects this joy—a happiness that is embodied in the curiosity and wonder of babies as they explore the world around them. They find delight in the simplest things, making it the perfect symbol for the baby room. Pohutakawa Tree (Toddler Room) The Pohutakawa tree is an iconic symbol of New Zealand. Its vibrant crimson blossoms not only mark the arrival of summer but also symbolize spirituality, strength, and tenacity—all qualities that our toddlers embody as they navigate this exciting stage of their lives. This tree’s meaning resonated deeply with us, and I knew it would be a perfect fit for the toddler room. Kauri Tree (Big Kids Room) Lastly, the mighty Kauri tree, a true taonga to Aotearoa, represents the growth and strength of our big kids. The Kauri tree reaches for the sunlight, growing tall and strong when surrounded by other Kauri trees. It has a self-pruning mechanism, shedding its unwanted branches to conserve energy for growth. Just like the Kauri, our tamariki in the Kauri room strive for knowledge and growth, learning valuable lessons as they let go of bad habits before moving on to school. The Kauri tree perfectly symbolizes their journey. I was so honored when my tree suggestions were chosen to represent each room at Learning Adventures Henderson. It felt like a small contribution to a community that had already given so much to our whānau. After two years away in the USA, we returned to Learning Adventures in 2023 to enroll our children once again. Despite the new faces and artwork on the walls, the names of the rooms—Puriri, Pohutakawa, and Kauri—remain, a beautiful reminder of the love and aroha that flows through the daycare. These names have become a part of our family’s story and a symbol of the wonderful Learning Adventures community we are so lucky to belong to. Now, our youngest, Stanford, is the only one left at Learning Adventures, as the older kids have moved on through the rooms and onto their next adventures. But don't worry, Stanford's tree is just as special. His tree is a Tōtara, planted at Tirimoana School, representing our connection to the land. The Tōtara tree holds deep significance for Māori culture—it roots us, anchors us, and connects us to our identity and place in the world. West Auckland is our home, our safe haven, and where we belong. To Learning Adventures Henderson, thank you for being such an integral part of our whānau and community. You have loved our children as if they were your own, and we will forever be grateful for the care, nurture, and aroha you’ve shared with us. You have given our children the tools to grow, explore, and thrive, and we are honored to be part of your beautiful journey. Arohanui, Nadia, Zachary, Quinn, Tairua, Kauri & Stanford Katene
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