'EB' the bunny

Over the last few weeks, Lepa has been bringing her bunny 'EB', into KIDSPACE. The children have had so much fun with EB so far. They look forward to Lepa bringing it in on Thursday's. EB is very friendly and loves the children. He enjoys running through the grass and bushes, and hiding under Squeezy's hutch. Cleo and Mana were captured in a photo, spending some time with EB on the hill. He stayed still as they gently patted his back and touched his soft fur.

The children like to find grass, carrots and apples to feed EB, and watch as he runs around. It is great to see the children taking care of his wellbeing, just like they do with Squeezy.

Ainslee

Health and well-being for Squeezy

Squeezy is still a very much loved member of KIDSPACE whaanau. Here you can see the children giving Squeezy a medical exam. Blood presure - Check, Heart Beat - Check, still beating. To finish this off, Squeezy is given a warm bubble bath, and is squeaky clean and is awarded with a juicy carrot. Children are provided with learning the care and responsibilty for Squeezy's health and well-being. Ann

Trip to Park Island

Measles Outbreak

We currently have a few cases of CHICKEN POX, however the Ministry of Education has today issued a notice to schools and early childhood centres about an outbreak of measles, mostly in the Auckland region, but also 27 recent cases in Hawkes Bay.

Measles symptoms

Measles is a highly infectious disease and is more serious than many people realise. Symptoms include fever, rash, cough, red eyes and a runny nose, and then a rash which develops after about 3 days. Complications include middle ear infections, pneumonia, and, more rarely, encephalitis or brain inflammation, and about one in ten people need to be hospitalised.

The best measles prevention is the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine which is free for all New Zealand children.

This this the link to the above MOE notice

www.minedu.govt.nz/HealthMeaslesUpdates

Irene

Winter wonderland day

On Wednesday 27th July, we held a Winter Wonderland day at KIDSPACE. We invited children to dress in 'wintery' clothes, and we had all sorts of outfits on the day. Pyjamas, jackets, hats, beanies, gloves, scarves, slippers, gumboots, ski boots, goggles, dresses etc, plus all the new KIDSPACE outfits including the dinosaur and tiger suits.

The centre was decorated with blue fairy lights and the children thought it was was magical. We had a shared morning tea including banana chocolate chip muffins, cherrios, sausage rolls, a range of fruit and warm milo! On the tables at morning tea time, we had ring tin frozen ice with flowers, leaves and grass frosted through it. I think there was even a plastic spider or two hidden amongst them.

A fun day had by all.
Ainslee

Best of mates

Noah and Joshua are such great mates. Every chance they get, they are playing together. The imagination between those two boys is amazing. They make up their own games and simply love being boisterous.

Ainslee

Baby baby

Jaz just loves babies, dolls and anything to do with them. Wherever she is playing at KIDSPACE, her baby is sure to follow. This particular morning, Jaz was very tired and wanted to go to bed. She had been playing with her babies since she had arrived (giving them bottles and putting them to bed). When I popped Jaz into bed, she took her baby with her. When I was tucking Jaz in, she made sure that her baby was under the blanket too, and she also had her arm around her to keep her warm. It's lovely to see Jaz showing empathy and care, and role-modelling attending to her care routines.

Ainslee

Murphy's trip away from KIDSPACE

Last Thursday Tamara noticed that Murphy's bottom looked very sore. He also hadn't been out of his cage much lately. So off to the vet we went. I took Murphy to ANIMALZ and left him in the hands of the kind vet (who cut the dags and gave him a clean up). After picking Murphy up after 5pm, I took him back to my house for the night. I feed him lettuce and carrots which he loved, and he got a lot of attention in a nice indoors home for the night. When I took him back to KIDSPACE bright and early in the morning, the children were very eager to see him and ask how he was. It is great to see the compassion and love for our rabbit Murphy (who is doing very well now) from our children.

Ainslee

"I like the rain... R-A-I-N"

It has been wet lately but that doesn't stop us getting outside in our warm clothes, a hat or hood and water proof shoes.

Sarah and Maia held onto Bridie's umbrella, Mania, Kian, Acacia and Donnagh sheltered under a big golf umbrella and Oly kindly shared his umbrella with Eneri in the rain today.

These children are self-managing, developing good relationships with others, and are appreciating different physical needs and abilities of their peers.- Links with Essential Skills, Contribution, Te Whaarki.

Jessie

Visit from the vision and hearing nurse

On Friday the 7th May, we had a visit from the vision and hearing nurse from the District Health Board. She was testing 3-year-old children for hearing and 4-year-old children for both hearing and vision. Netana, Acaica, Jorja, Theo and Oly joined me in the quiet art room and met Leigh who was doing the testing. The children are learning about keeping their bodies safe by being a part of small tests that check two very important senses. I stayed with the children to make sure they were comfortable; they all enjoyed meeting a new person, and participating in the tests. Leigh made it like a game for them, so they were at ease. I took some photos of the children and they were excited to look at them afterwards on the camera. The children looked at the different machines and equipment and questioned things when needed, to understand the process better.

Children develop an awareness of the connections between experiences within and beyond the early childhood setting; and gain knowledge of the wider world and the role of other adults" (Te Whariki)

Healthy Heart Award porridge

Towards our Healthy Heart Award registration as part of food prepared and provided here, last week on a cold morning Jess made porridge for morning tea. Eneri, Oly, Kian, Netana, Marley (in for sister Taylah's last day), Keita, Paige and Noah all dug in. The porridge was warm and served with milk, cream and raisins of choice. Irene's Scottish husband James even popped in and ate two whole bowls! Lots of childen had second and third helpings.
Porridge is hearty and filling, sustaining full tummies well until lunch time.
"Children develop knowledge about how to keep themselves healthy", Well-Being, Te Whaariki.
Jessie

Thank you Dan

We are very grateful to Dan Gallagher (Rionagh and Donnagh's Dad) for welding our front gate back together. If you have need of a first rate welder - letterboxes and creative projects call DG Stainless 06 8340429

Children's Day at KIDSPACE

Jessie

Hair, hair everywhere

Last week we used whero and kakariki washable coloured hair spray in some of our children's hair. Asking permission from Mums and Dads first, children then decided did they really want a turn before starting. Ruby, Tyra (said no as she had some the day before and didn't want to wash her hair again) and Noah said no at the time, but Jasper, Laker, Sarah, Isaac, Oly, Maia, Eneri and Elijah all decided yes. We had shark stripes, lines, and coloured hair sprayed fringes and pony tails. Children wore a towel on their shoulders to protect bodies and faces from the coloured hair spray and looked in two mirrors and at themselves on the camera to see if they were happy with the outcome.

"Young children have a widening range of opportunites for independence, choice and autonomy", Te Whaariki: Well-Being. Jessie

Isaac and the ambulance

This morning an ambulance came to KIDSPACE. Isaac cut his forehead open and needed more than first aid. This was the first time an ambulance had ever visited us for an accident. Allan the ambulance driver arrived and bandaged up Isaac's head, making him look like a rugby player. He also looked into Isaac's eyes with a small torch and felt for his pulse in his wrist. Isaac's nanny Beth arrived and together with Allan they walked into the ambulance. Issac could have gone by car to the doctor but Allan and the ambulance were in the KIDSPACE driveway so they rode in this. In the ambulance Allan asked Isaac if he snored when he slept and covered him with a blanket, after checking with nanny Beth for Isaac's age and home address they where off.
When Isaac's mum Gina arrived this afternoon to collect his bag and lunchbox, she said Isaac has eight stitches in his head and was very still and brave while they were put in. We can't wait to see Isaac and his stitches on Tuesday.
Jessie (Hey Jessie I'm pretty sure Max Hunt has been in an ambulance at KIDSPACE:)

STOP, DROP and COVER your MOP

Yesterday we had a practise earthquake drill. "STOP, DROP and COVER your MOP", Sarah F shouted as we all crouched down and covered the back of our head/neck with our hands.
Netana, Donnagh, Rory and Maia demonstrate great stopping (where they are) dropping (to the ground) and covering their mop (head). This will protect our bodies from falling objects in a real earthquake. We have regular earthquake drills and the children follow this instruction fast and without concern. Next we meet inside to call the roll and check that everyone is present.
"Children develop a capacity to pay attention, maintain concentration, and be involved", Well-Being, Te Whaariki.To read more about Te Whariki Early Childhood Curriculum click here
http://www.teamup.co.nz/~/media/TeamUp/Files/ReferenceDownloads/PDF/ECBkletP_18_19TeWhariki.pdf
Jessie

Fruit kebabs

For Tuesday's morning tea we made our own fruit kebabs. Selecting pineapple, grapes, orange segments or banana pieces, we feed the fruit onto a bamboo stick then feed ourselves!
Fruit on sticks is a great way to make fruit fun, be it fresh, dried or canned.
Click onto links- Healthy Lunch box Food and Heart Foundation for more ideas.
"Plenty of time is given for children to practise their developing self-help and self-care skills when eating", Well-Being, Te Whaariki.
Jessie