LearningHai ako Enrol now Enquire now Helping to Build Bright Futures At Little Citizens Early Learning Centre, we’re passionate about giving every child the best possible beginning. That’s why we provide high-quality education, ensuring that each tamariki gains the essential skills and knowledge for a successful journey through school and beyond. In our spacious, fun, and dynamic environment we foster children’s learning skills, independence, and overall development. Through a blend of encouragement for exploration, play, and active participation, we create an environment where children can thrive and enjoy their learning experience to the fullest. Little Citizens dedicated early childhood teachers collaborate closely with parents and guardians to ensure that each child receives the personalised support and encouragement they require. We achieve this by nurturing a strong sense of belonging for both tamariki and their whānau, fostering reciprocal relationships, and recognising their backgrounds and the valuable contributions they bring with them. We use Educa – an online profile making it easy for whānau from all over the world to follow and participate in your child’s learning journey as well as profile books so that children can look back and reflect on previous learning. Our Rooms At the centre the classrooms are divided into three separate rooms – The Kiwi, Tui, and Kōtuku Rooms, each thoughtfully designed to address the distinctive developmental needs, abilities, and interests of children within specific age ranges. While each child has their designated room, they regularly come together in various ways. The classrooms often unite to celebrate special events and, with a shared playground, children have the freedom to move in and out of different classrooms (except mat time and meals). Our mixed-age setting actively encourages tuakana-teina relationships, creating a vibrant atmosphere where older and younger tamariki learn from each other in a supportive and enriching manner. Kiwi Room Ages 0 -2 years Senior Teacher – Stephanie Watson Welcome to the Kiwi Room, where our philosophy is influenced by the work of Emmi Pikler. Kaiako form respectful, trusting relationships with the tamariki and demonstrate a nurturing approach to teaching, especially during care moments. Freedom of movement is encouraged so that children are empowered to develop at their own pace. Our Kiwi room learning environment promotes positive risk-taking, and we encourage children to develop independence and resilience with our support. We aim to replicate the child’s home routine as much as possible utilising ‘All About Me’ sheets for insights into the child’s daily rhythms around sleep, feeding and bottles. These also support teachers during the settling period, providing vital information about children’s unique strengths and interests. Families are encouraged to book 3-5 settling visits, with flexibility based on their child’s adaptability. These can be arranged to suit the child’s routine, lasting from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Caregivers stay for the first visit and then are encouraged to leave for short periods to ease the transition into the classroom. Goodbyes before departure alleviate any anxiety. If a child feels uneasy, caregivers can bring them to a teacher for comfort or engage them in an activity. Additionally, we recommend a sleep time visit for tamariki to adjust to sleeping in the new environment. Kaiako will message to let caregivers know how the child has settled during these visits. Meet the teacher Tui Room Ages 2 -3½ years Senior Teacher – Emilie Mellor Welcome to the Tūī Room, a dynamic space for tamariki, promoting active participation and empowerment. Our environment cultivates collaborative learning, fostering the Tuakana – Teina dynamic and embracing the Ako concept. This involves reciprocal teaching experiences based on tamariki’s interests, goals, and whānau aspirations. ‘Throughout the day, we prioritise independence, engaging tamariki in routine activities, including personal care, caring for others, and looking after their environment. This emphasis extends to developing self-regulation, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills. Daily group times add a fun and interactive element, enhancing skills in sitting, listening, and sharing thoughts. Our outdoor space, in line with the tuakana/teina philosophy, facilitates connections between siblings and cousins. Our tamariki enjoy an expansive area filled with exciting challenges, ample space for running and biking, and a fantastic sandpit. The well-tended gardens encourage sensory exploration, contributing to a holistic learning experience. Meet the teacher Kōtuku Room Ages 3½ – 5 years Senior Teacher – Kylie Preedy Welcome to the Kotuku Room, a vibrant space for tamariki where they are encouraged to embrace responsibility and independence. Our parallel program fosters a respectful and responsive environment, encouraging children to tidy up and transition independently between learning areas. Empowering them to locate their name label each morning promotes ownership of their space. Building confidence is paramount, and we provide numerous opportunities for tamariki to succeed, fostering skills in speaking, sharing, active listening, and respect. We prepare them for school through activities such as making their own lunches, reinforcing literacy and mathematics through play. Post-lunch, hygiene habits, including teeth cleaning, are practiced. Sustainability is a core focus in the Kotuku Room, where tamariki learn about recycling, engage in growing and harvesting food, and contribute to caring for papatūānuku / the land and its inhabitants. Meet the teacher Little Citizens is an ENGAGE provider. The ENGAGE Approach develops children’s self-regulation skills through intentional play – with skills and games grouped into three domains: emotional (feeling), cognitive (thinking), and behavioural (doing). ENGAGE games are played for about 30 minutes a day, with an intentional focus on supporting tamariki to develop vital self-regulation skills that they need to thrive at school and later lead healthy and fulfilling lives as adults. Developing self-regulation skills in the early years of life is now widely understood to be one of the most important interventions for societal wellbeing – with major impacts on a wide range of childhood, youth and adult life outcomes including physical health, mental health, education, employment, criminality, substance use and future parenting outcomes.If you would like to learn more about ENGAGE, talk to one of our kaiako or find out more information by clicking on the link below. ENGAGE Website Accreditations Annual Report Ministry of Education operational funding is received by Dunedin Little Citizens for children enrolled in this ECE Service. Click to review our 2022 Annual Report or our 2023 Annual Report Enquire about enrolments now Enrol now Book a tour
