A successful evening for our whānau, parents, ECE teachers to discuss with a variety of teachers, deputy principals, team leaders and principals about transitions to school. The evening was an excellent opportunity to communicate ways to support our learners and prepare them for school. It also provided a chance to network, share thoughts and support our whānau with questions and answers about any concerns.

In our recent Kāhui Ako ECE/Primary hui, held this week, we were able to establish meaningful connections. This opportunity allowed us to engage with each other, delving into the unique aspects of our kindergartens and centers, fostering a deeper understanding of one another's contexts. Our discussion was based around these questions: 

• What is important for you to know about our school?

• What is important for our school to know about your ECE?

• How can we strengthen our connection?

Collecting information from our tamariki is another step to develop stronger transitions to school.  Asking our students what makes them happy is key to supporting our students, whānau and teachers. After research and chatting with our five year olds they are happy when:  

• They are playing with their friends in and out of the classroom

• Playing with different areas of the classroom and seeing the similarities between ECE and school

• Playing in different areas of the school ie playground, monkey bars, sandpit and car track

• Having people they knew - teachers, peers, siblings and extended family

• When their teacher helps them

• When the teacher visits their ECE before starting school

• When peers from multiple levels help them on and off the playground

I would like to thank Torbay School for their help in gathering this information from their students.  

Our Early Childhood Centres now hold copies of picture books from all our primary schools.  These books are accessible in both English and Mandarin and are also provided in an audio format.

We extend our sincere gratitude to our Primary Schools for generously supplying school uniforms to our ECE centres dress-up box collection. This initiative encourages creative play, communication and enhances school pride and develop whanaungatanga! 

During one of our hui Torbay Kindergarten shared their journey and their links with Te Tiriti o Waitangi, The Treaty of Waitangi. 

Through the Te Whāriki - Early Childhood Curriculum states that 'provides mokopuna with culturally responsive environments that support their learning and be ensuring that they are provided with equitable opportunities to learning.'   

He purapura i ruia mai Rangiātea e kore e ngaro. 

A seed sown in Rangiātea will never be lost. 

All our Early Childhood Centres have received a profile booklet about all the Primary Schools within the Oneroa Kāhui Ako. This information supports our teachers within ECE centers in conversing with families that are transitioning to school, helping them in discussing our schools and fostering a seamless transition. 

For teachers, tamariki and whānau to understand the transition process within each school our WSL's have created a 'flowchart' to assist. These are available at all our ECE Centres and are available for parents to take home. 

Mā te ahurei o te tamaiti e ārahi i ā tātou mahi.​

Let the uniqueness of the child guide our work.​ 

Leanne and Sarah (ECE Kāhui Ako co-lead and ASL) discussed the links between curriculums. It was great to discuss the barriers, successes and the support we provide our tamariki within our strands and key competencies. We linked this discussion with our three strands - Complex needs, Wellbeing and Cultural Awareness.

In collaboration with ECE teachers, managers, SENCO, RTLB, deputy principals, and primary teachers, a Transition Portfolio Pathways document has been created. This document aims to provide information about the child as they transition from ECE to primary school. The information will be shared with key school personnel who will support the child's social, physical, and mental well-being.

On the 21st May 2024 we held our first Oneroa Kāhui Ako Early Childhood Professional Development day. Our ECE centres had the opportunity to visit our Primary Schools and see learning in action. 

"I saw effective learning through play for the first time ... The whole day was such a fabulous opportunity for me to see how schools and centres can build relationships across sectors- which is hugely valuable for easing students' transition between them."

"I gained a deeper understanding of the complexities of children's learning in the classroom."

"Observing the PMP programme and how it can be adapted and used within the ECE. We also found the literacy programmes were so different yet very informative and able to be adapted to begin skills within ECE."

In Term 3, 2024, we were delighted to welcome BestStart Long Bay to our Kāhui Ako ECE cluster. BestStart Long Bay is a brand-new early learning center now open in Long Bay. We look forward to working together to support tamariki and whānau across our Kāhui Ako.