Programme

Arrowtown Early Learning Centre is a new purpose designed and built centre which opened in June 2010, after a long and combined community effort. It provides an all day programme (8.30am – 3.30pm) for up to 30 children, aged two to four years of age. The Early Learning Centre is situated next door to Arrowtown School in Cotter Avenue.

We see ourselves as part of a team of reciprocal learners; tamariki, teachers, families and whanau, and community – working collaboratively to bring out the best in every child and each other. We believe as teachers, we are provocateurs; encouraging and provoking thinking and learning. We believe that children learn when they are happy and having fun.

The development of the environment and resources has been influenced by some of the key principles of the Reggio Emilia teaching philosophy, within the context of our own community. The environment is seen as the third teacher and includes the use of natural and sustainable materials in the form of furniture, curriculum resources and the use of natural light.

Children and teachers are seen as a community of learners, and teachers observe and listen carefully to children and family and whanau, encouraging reciprocal, meaningful communication. This helps them develop an understanding of children’s interests and strengths. Family and whanau are welcome to spend time in the programme sharing interests and skills.

Our programme is based on emergent curriculum and provocations to extend and develop the children’s dispositions, and also their ideas, strengths and interests. Throughout our programme we encourage the development of “habits of mind” that are needed in every aspect of life – thinking, persistence, curiosity, self esteem and problem solving. We foster and encourage these dispositions through everyday play.

All children have their own Learning Profile Books which include learning stories that show a progression in their learning during their time at the Early Learning Centre (assessment). Family and whanau are encouraged to take the Profile books home to share, add stories, photos and comments. It is a record of the child’s learning journey during their time at the Centre and when they leave, they take it with them.

Teachers spend time regularly discussing the programme in staff meetings, including the interests and skills of individual children and also group interests which may develop into projects. They also have regular meetings with teachers from Arrowtown Pre-School to further develop their own understandings about the Reggio Emilia approach to teaching, along with other Professional Development.



Programme Arrowtown Early Learning Centre is a new purpose designed and built centre which opened in June 2010, after a long and combined community effort. It provides an all day programme (8.30am – 3.30pm) for up to 30 children, aged two to four years of age. The Early Learning Centre is situated next door to Arrowtown School in Cotter Avenue. We see ourselves as part of a team of reciprocal learners; tamariki, teachers, families and whanau, and community – working collaboratively to bring out the best in every child and each other. We believe as teachers, we are provocateurs; encouraging and provoking thinking and learning. We believe that children learn when they are happy and having fun. The development of the environment and resources has been influenced by some of the key principles of the Reggio Emilia teaching philosophy, within the context of our own community. The environment is seen as the third teacher and includes the use of natural and sustainable materials in the form of furniture, curriculum resources and the use of natural light. Children and teachers are seen as a community of learners, and teachers observe and listen carefully to children and family and whanau, encouraging reciprocal, meaningful communication. This helps them develop an understanding of children’s interests and strengths. Family and whanau are welcome to spend time in the programme sharing interests and skills. Our programme is based on emergent curriculum and provocations to extend and develop the children’s dispositions, and also their ideas, strengths and interests. Throughout our programme we encourage the development of “habits of mind” that are needed in every aspect of life – thinking, persistence, curiosity, self esteem and problem solving. We foster and encourage these dispositions through everyday play. All children have their own Learning Profile Books which include learning stories that show a progression in their learning during their time at the Early Learning Centre (assessment). Family and whanau are encouraged to take the Profile books home to share, add stories, photos and comments. It is a record of the child’s learning journey during their time at the Centre and when they leave, they take it with them. Teachers spend time regularly discussing the programme in staff meetings, including the interests and skills of individual children and also group interests which may develop into projects. They also have regular meetings with teachers from Arrowtown Pre-School to further develop their own understandings about the Reggio Emilia approach to teaching, along with other Professional Development.
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