TRANSITIONING TO CHILDCARE
At Natural Wonders we are aware that the initial separation of you and your child may not be easy. To help make this transition easier:
• We encourage parents/guardians to visit the Centre with their child prior to the child’s first day to become familiar with the teachers and the other children.
• We recommend that you say good bye to your child when you leave as this develops trust between yourself, your child and the teacher.
• We encourage telephone contact during the day.
• We have open communication within our Centre, so feel free to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.
• Our teachers are armed with a range of techniques to assist them to settle children quickly, confidently and happily.
WHAT TO BRING DAILY
Please ensure your child is dressed in appropriate clothing for playing in, as free play can be “messy”. Please remember to name all belongings.
• Your child’s own bag
• At least two changes of clothes, including a hat
• Shoes/Sandals
• Nappies/spare underwear
• Formula and bottle
• Drink bottle
• A lunch box
At Natural Wonders, we are a lunch box Centre where your children bring in their own food daily. Please ensure your child has enough food for the time that they are at the Centre. We promote healthy eating and encourage parents to look for nutritious options
Please note: we are a NUTFREE and WHOLE EGG FREE Centre.
Any food coming into the Centre containing nuts or whole egg will be removed
from the child’s lunch box and be sent home at the end of the day.
SLEEPS
If your child requires a sleep during the day please inform a teacher. Individual bedding is provided and is kept separate for your child and washed weekly. Children’s sleeps are recorded daily for your information.
ILLNESS AND MEDICATION
We keep a very close eye on our children and always alert parents immediately to any signs of illness. However we ask that you keep your child home should they display the following symptoms:
• A temperature over 38 degrees Celsius
• Coloured discharge from your child’s nose
• Unidentified rash or spots
• Inflamed throat or eyes
• Severe cough; not linked to asthma or a breathing disorder
• Vomiting or diarrhoea (they can return 48 hours after their last symptom)
If your child requires medication whilst at the Centre please sign the Medicine chart and notify a teacher on arrival.
PHONICS PROGRAMME
Our teachers use the Jolly Phonics programme to teach the children letter sounds and letter formation. Jolly Phonics teaches children each letter sound in a way that is fun and multi-sensory, enabling children to become confident readers in the future. This programme is also used at the local primary school.
ATTENDENCE
It is a Ministry requirement that you sign your child IN and OUT of the Centre each day. Please call the Centre if your child is unable to attend for any reason. Parents must give at least two weeks’ notice before withdrawing their child from Natural Wonders and at least one week’s notice if you wish to change your child’s session days.
EXTERNAL AUTHORITIES
The Centre is licensed by the Ministry of Education. They cover a range of issues including staff qualifications, equipment requirements, safety issues and programme planning and regularly audit the Centre via the Education Review Office. The Centre is also checked and must comply with the Ministry of Health and the Fire Department.