Free play is greatly encouraged at Chapel Hill Kindergarten, as children learn through their exploration and discovery during play.  However, during our morning session children are divided into three groups according to their age – the Kakapo, Kiwi and Kea groups.  During this half hour children are immersed in literacy and numeracy. 

8:30-8:45am

Welcome!  Teachers support positive transitions into Kindergarten.

8:45-9:45am  Play/Work

Our environment is set up for exploration and free play.  The curriculum provides space for children to follow their own interests. 

9:45-10:15am  Care moment - Morning tea/kai time

Children bring a piece of fruit to add to the fruit platters prepared for sharing at this time.

10:15-10:45am  Small group time

We begin together for a Bible story, prayer and music.  We then break into groups which provide opportunities to engage with early literacy and mathematical tasks focused at their level of knowledge and understanding.


10:45-11:45am  Play/Work

"Children learn through play: by doing, asking questions, interacting with others, devising theories about how things work and then trying them out and by making purposeful use of resources.  As they engage in exploration, they begin to develop attitudes and expectations that will continue to influence their learning throughout their life" (p.46,Te Whāriki, MOE 2017).

11:45-12:00pm  Tidy up time in preparation for lunch

Encouraging children to tidy alongside teachers promotes respect and value of our property and environment.  These concepts teach life skills such as responsibility and accountability. 


12:00-12:15pm  Mat time

Fosters a sense of community and belonging as children contribute and engage in this time together.

12:15-12:50pm  Care moment - Lunch time

Children are learning independence as they eat from their own lunch box.  They regulate how much they eat and work out how to open their snacks.


12:50-1:15pm  Care moment

A quiet space to rest as they stop and focus with an educational dvd.


1:15-2:45pm  Play/Work  

The environment is set up with opportunities to challenge both their fine and gross motor skills whilst they work.

2:45-3:00pm  Tidy up time

3:00-3:30pm  Care moment - Afternoon tea/kai time

Children sit alongside their friends as they enjoy a drink and the fruit they have brought in to share.


3:30-3:45pm  Mat time

Brings everyone together to share some music/games and a story before saying goodbye and heading home with their whānau.