Our Programme

Spotted Frog offers an 8.15-4.00pm day. We are open all year except for 3 weeks over the Christmas period.

We use our own philosophy to guide our programme planning and draw inspiration from a number of theorists from around the world, including the New Zealand early childhood and primary curriculum.

Our programme involves:

Foundation Skills

This is the bucket of skills that needs to be developed before the brain is ready for the formal learning of primary school and includes a range of physical activities.

 

Music

We support movement and cultural awareness through music.

 

Creative Development

We explore the arts through many different and varied types of media experiences.

 

Fine Motor Development

We ensure that the fine motor skills needed for writing and school are developed through our structured learning time.

 

Numeracy

We develop the building blocks needed to succeed at maths, including recognising patterns, spatial awareness, quantity and number recognition.

 

Literacy

We develop the necessary pre-reading skills of name recognition, letter and sound knowledge, exposure to rhythm and rhyme, oral language skills and a love of books.

 

Readiness for School

Alongside this we are getting your child ready for school by helping them to maintain concentration, follow instructions, encouraging care of their belongings, understanding when they are hungry and thirsty, knowing how to ask for help, washing their hands and how to ask a question.

 

 

 

We often get asked by parents what happens during the day? Do children have a schedule or a daily routine? The answer is yes!

 

The daily routine

The daily routine is based on the National Curriculum Te Whariki strands and goals.

Please note: these times are only an indication of the rhythm of the day. It is flexible and tailored to suit children’s needs.

8:15am	Centre Opens. Greet parents / Whanau and children.
8:15 – 10:30am	Activities are set up to welcome the children and support fine motor development and the current topic of the centre. Children can participate in these or choose to engage in child directed play.
8:15– 10:30am	Rolling morning tea
10:30 - 11:00am	Group time – children are working in small age groups on specific skill development
10:30 -12:00pm	Activities are set up to support fine motor development, children’s interests and the current topic of the centre Children can participate in these or choose to engage in child directed play.
12:00 - 12:30pm	Lunch time – children bring lunch boxes from home to allow them to learn how to select food in a nutritional appropriate order, how to regulate their eating and how to open containers and packaging
12:30 - 1:00pm	Mat time – this is a time to discuss current events, sing songs, take part in music and drama and read stories
1:00 - 3:45pm	Activities are set up to support fine motor development, children’s interests and the current topic of the centre Children can participate in these or choose to engage in child directed play.
2:30 - 3:00pm	Rolling afternoon tea
3:30 - 4:00pm	Reflection on the days learning and story time

Mat Times 

These are an exciting and important part of the programme.

They allow children to experience stories and music from around the world as well as a chance to discuss the day, their learning and listen to different points of view, while at the same time developing their confidence to speak in front of an audience.

It is also a time to learn numeracy and literacy concepts. 

Group Times

Our group times are a special time of the day.

The children work in small groups with a dedicated teacher who plans experiences for the group that build on their strengths, needs and interests.

These sessions provide incredible learning opportunities for each child.