The Cafe

Yesterday, the tamariki enjoyed playing shop so today we thought we could continue the fun. However, to keep it fresh it wasn't a shop... what was it going to be?

At first it was called "Chloe's Café" , then it morphed into Khaos Café before becoming Hazel's café. 

 

Chloe cleaned off the sign and asked for the letters to write Chloe's Café.

First customer Charlotte  was learning how to use her new Eftpos card!

Hunter and Mason had hungry bellies and wanted them filled with delicious treats!

The team organized the café!

Cohen decided that the café was missing tables. That problem was sorted quickly and the table was set!

Next, there was a new area for the café! The children laid out the carpet, sorted the area and the café play continued in the block room. "Just like a real café with this light." Cohen said.

What a beautiful set up, the nature of play morphed throughout the morning as different children came and went. Lots of listening to each others ideas, expressing themselves in character and a beautiful inclusive attitude by all kids for everyone to join and have fun! Now, it's coffee time.

 

Fish out of water!

 There was a real problem down at the sandpit today. Our poor pretend pet fish didn't have a pond! They were dry and unhappy. We had to problem solve to get the water from the water rule into the fish enclosure. Super lucky we have great thinkers who all collaborated to get the job done!

                                               

First Rylee built a mountain to lay the pipes on. 

Many friends came with spades to help. When the pipe was moved, the water was going under the enclosure!

                                                

Olivia was ready at the tap!!

We needed to check if it was working!

Trying again!

Go Olivia and Santi!

It worked! Now for a fish slide. Raphael puts the fish down the pipe to slide into their new enclosure!
"Mumma Mia" He says happily!

Pirate Play

It was great to get back into sailing the seven seas and searching for treasure with the crew of Uxbridge pirates! We all took turns hiding and finding our treasure cards around the centre! Playing pirates is always a favourite here and allows for creative expression in character! 

Waitangi Day storytime at the library

This morning as part of our learning about Waitangi day, a small group visited the Howick Library for some songs and stories. We were very excited to see our friend Andy who had lots of fun things ready for us. The pukapuka that we listened to were William's Waitangi day and the Little Kiwi and the treaty. We also did some dancing, singing and actions to He honore, Te Aroha and Kōrero parirau. At the end of the session Andy had organised a special treat, music and a bubble machine. What a great way to end a fun music and story time.

We always love being invited to these events, and gain so much learning and experience by being involved in the community.   

Xīnnián hǎo (新年好) - Happy Chinese New Year!

 A time for celebration! Xīnnián hǎo (新年好) - Happy Chinese New Year! 

The Year of the Rabbit

The Chinese New Year, which is also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year is celebrated by millions of people around the world. Houses are decorated with lanterns, red message banners and New Year pictures, there are parades through the streets with music, acrobatics, and dragon dances, Other traditions include having a family reunion dinner on Lunar New Year’s Eve and distributing red envelopes with money to children. The festivities continue for two weeks, finishing with a lantern festival, which signals the end of the New Year celebration period. This year, it is from January 22nd to the 5th February.

We have had a wonderful time filling the centre with festive decorations, activities and experiences.  We made lanterns, painted cherry blossoms, listened to stories, experimented with symbols, had a playdough feast and made some fans.

Welcome back to 2023!!

It has been so wonderful having everyone back after the holiday break, everyone has been so smiley and chatty, happily sharing their holiday stories and all their adventures.  They were so excited to see their friends again too!!

With all the beautiful sunshine, we had to start the year off with some water sprinkler fun!!!