You want the very best for your child, and so do we!
We know how important it is that your child receives both loving care and an innovative learning environment while they are away from you.
Talented Tots was founded in 1999 by mother-of-five Tina Kennedy, with the mission to provide high quality education and care in safe innovative learning spaces. Tina continues to lead us in delivering this mission.
Since we first opened all those years ago we have established two more centres and become skilled at creating learning programmes and care routines that successfully support children to become happy, secure life long learners.
We proudly employ teachers with whom we would entrust with the care of our own children and grandchildren, and we are hand-on-heart proud of the quality and commitment of our teaching and leadership teams.
Philosophy
Our philosophy is based on the principles and goals of Te Whariki, the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum.
Our staff and centres acknowledge and value the principles of The Treaty of Waitangi and ensure the success of all learners including Ministry of Education identified priority learners: Maori, Pacifica, Infants and Toddlers.
We aspire for all 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.
We believe children learn and develop in an environment where they are happy, secure and that they enjoy themselves through being exposed to a wide range of learning opportunities, alongside warm caring staff. This in turn will promote the holistic way that children learn.
We believe that early childhood experiences promote the well being of the parents, family and child, and will increasethe opportunity for success throughout the child's life.
Each centre has an individualised teaching and learning philosophy statement displayed in the centre foyer. Please read this when you visit your preferred centre.
Five-step guide to transition
We value and acknowledge that every child, and each family, is unique.
We understand that every child requires an individual plan to best suit their transition into the centre.
Our caring staff feel its importatant to take the time to get to know your child well before they start at Talented Tots.
Here is our five-step, flexible guide, which helps us support your child's transition into our centre:
You and your child visit the centre. Once you decide that you would like to enrol your child you complete the necessary enrolment documentation and return this to the Head Teacher or Centre Administrator
They will then arrange a transition meeting with you where you will have the opportunity to discuss your child's interests, strengths, preferences, your aspirations for your child and their individual routine. At this meeting we discuss and agree upon how many transition visits your child needs and for what duration. You are welcome to bring other family members to this meeting. If your child has any special needs this is a good time for us together complete documentation to request additional support from Special Education
The first visits you stay in the centre with your child while they explore and get to know the environment
The last visit/s you leave the centre for a short while just before a meal time, group time or sleep time so your child gets to know teachers and the routine and to learn that you always return. More visits can be arranged if this is needed to best support the child's transition. We recommend you wave goodbye to your child, let them know you will be back soon and know that they will be nurtured and cuddled by teachers while you are gone if they need this
Once the transition plan has been completed and both you and your child's teachers believe the child is ready your child is able to start at Talented Tots - and the fun and play-based learning begins!