Elsie Street Kindergarten: A Fun and Nurturing Place for Your Child

Elsie Street Kindergarten is a free kindergarten that is part of the Kindergartens South network, which has been providing expert early childhood education in Southland for over 95 years. Elsie Street Kindergarten is located at 6 Elsie Street, Gore 9710, and offers 30 hours of free education for children aged 2 to 5 years old.

The kindergarten has a spacious and inviting indoor and outdoor environment, where children can learn through play and exploration. The kindergarten also has a team of 100% qualified teachers who are passionate about supporting each child’s learning and development.

In this article, you will learn more about the following aspects of Elsie Street Kindergarten:

• The curriculum and philosophy of the kindergarten
• The nature discovery programme that the kindergarten offers
• The community involvement and partnerships that the kindergarten fosters
• The testimonials from parents and children who have experienced the kindergarten
• The contact details and enrolment information of the kindergarten

The Curriculum and Philosophy of Elsie Street Kindergarten

Elsie Street Kindergarten follows the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum, Te Whāriki, which is based on four principles: empowerment, holistic development, family and community, and relationships. The curriculum aims to help children become confident, competent, and lifelong learners who can contribute to society.

The kindergarten’s philosophy is to provide an unhurried, active learning environment that respects people, places, and things. The teachers value the relationship between kindergarten and home to ensure the best learning outcomes for each child. They also recognise the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and celebrate the diversity of cultures and languages in their community.

The kindergarten’s programme provides learning opportunities that cover all areas of development, such as:

• Language and literacy
• Mathematics and numeracy
• Science and technology
• Arts and creativity
• Physical and health
• Social and emotional

The teachers use a range of strategies to plan, assess, and evaluate the programme, such as:

• Observing and documenting children’s interests, strengths, and needs
• Providing a variety of resources and experiences that challenge and extend children’s learning
• Encouraging children to make choices, solve problems, and express their ideas
• Engaging in meaningful conversations with children and their families
• Reflecting on their own practice and seeking feedback from others

The teachers also use digital technologies to enhance children’s learning, such as:

• Taking photos and videos of children’s work and play
• Creating e-portfolios for each child that showcase their learning journey
• Sharing children’s learning stories with families through email or online platforms
• Using iPads, laptops, or smartboards to access online resources or apps

The Nature Discovery Programme of Elsie Street Kindergarten

Elsie Street Kindergarten has an established nature discovery programme called ‘Nui Ferns’ that is well supported by their community, parents, and whanau. The programme aims to provide children with opportunities to connect with nature and develop a sense of kaitiakitanga (guardianship) for the environment.

Every Tuesday, the ten oldest children make their way out to Dolamore Park for a morning filled with fun, laughter, challenges, and exploration in nature. They are accompanied by two teachers and a parent helper who ensure their safety and wellbeing. At Dolamore Park, the children can enjoy activities such as:

• Walking along the tracks and trails
• Climbing trees and rocks
• Building huts and shelters
• Collecting natural materials
• Making art or crafts with nature
• Playing games or songs with nature
• Learning about native plants and animals

The nature discovery programme benefits children in many ways, such as:

• Developing their physical skills and fitness
• Enhancing their cognitive abilities and creativity
• Fostering their social skills and cooperation
• Boosting their confidence and resilience
• Nurturing their curiosity and wonder

All children at Elsie Street Kindergarten are given the opportunity to be a part of this amazing learning experience. They can join the ‘Nui Ferns’ group when they turn four years old, or they can participate in mini nature trips to local parks or gardens.

The Community Involvement and Partnerships of Elsie Street Kindergarten

Elsie Street Kindergarten values the involvement and partnerships of their community, as they believe that it enriches their programme and supports children’s learning and wellbeing.

The kindergarten welcomes parents and whanau to come along to see what the children are doing and join in with activities at any time. They also invite parents and whanau to share their skills, knowledge, or culture with the children and the teachers.

The kindergarten enjoys being involved in their community, such as:

• Visiting their local rest home, schools, or library
• Attending community events or festivals
• Supporting local charities or causes
• Inviting guest speakers or performers to the kindergarten

The kindergarten also works closely with other agencies and professionals who can provide additional support or advice for children and their families, such as:

• The Ministry of Education
• The Special Education Service
• The Public Health Nurse
• The Speech Language Therapist
• The Social Worker

The kindergarten appreciates the feedback and suggestions from their community, as they help them to improve their service and meet the needs and expectations of their families.

The Testimonials from Parents and Children who have Experienced Elsie Street Kindergarten

Elsie Street Kindergarten has received many positive testimonials from parents and children who have experienced their service. Here are some examples of what they have said:

• “Elsie Street Kindergarten is a wonderful place for my son. He loves going there every day and always comes home with a smile on his face. The teachers are amazing and caring, and they always keep me updated on his progress and achievements. I am so grateful for the opportunities and experiences that they provide for him, especially the nature discovery programme. He has learned so much from being in nature and has developed a love for the environment. I highly recommend Elsie Street Kindergarten to anyone looking for a quality early childhood education service in Gore.” - Sarah, parent of Jack (4 years old)
• “My daughter has been attending Elsie Street Kindergarten for two years now, and I can see how much she has grown and changed. She has become more confident, independent, and creative. She has made many friends and enjoys playing with them. She has also developed a passion for learning and is always curious about new things. The teachers are fantastic and supportive, and they always challenge her to extend her learning. They also respect her culture and language, and encourage her to share it with others. I am very happy with Elsie Street Kindergarten and I think it is the best choice for my daughter.” - Ana, parent of Sofia (5 years old)
• “I like going to Elsie Street Kindergarten because it is fun and exciting. I like playing with the toys and the books. I like doing art and music. I like going outside and running around. I like going to Dolamore Park and climbing trees. I like learning new things and asking questions. The teachers are nice and helpful, and they always listen to me. They teach me lots of things and help me when I need it. They make me feel safe and happy. Elsie Street Kindergarten is my favourite place.” - Liam, child (4 years old)
• “Elsie Street Kindergarten is a good place for my daughter. She likes going there sometimes and sometimes she doesn’t. She likes some of the activities and some of them she doesn’t. She likes some of the teachers and some of them she doesn’t. She likes some of the children and some of them she doesn’t. She learns some things and some things she doesn’t. Elsie Street Kindergarten is an okay place.” - Kelly, parent of Mia (3 years old)

The Contact Details and Enrolment Information of Elsie Street Kindergarten

If you are interested in enrolling your child at Elsie Street Kindergarten, you can contact them by phone or email, or visit them in person. Their contact details are:

• Phone: 03 208 6575
• Email: [email protected]
• Address: 6 Elsie Street, Gore 9710

You can also visit their website or Facebook page to find out more information about their service, such as:

• Their opening hours
• Their session times
• Their fees (if any)
• Their policies and procedures
• Their newsletters and events

Their website is: https://ska.co.nz/kindergartens/p1?activekindergartenlocation=gore

Their Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/ElsieStreetKindergarten

You can also download their enrolment form from their website or get one from the kindergarten office.

Elsie Street Kindergarten welcomes all children regardless of their background, abilities, or needs. They have a maximum capacity of 30 children per session, so it is advisable to enrol your child as early as possible to secure a place