Howe Street Early Learning Centre
Our Rooms
The Tui Room,
a nurturing haven for our youngest members aged 0 to 2 years, is where our babies and toddlers explore and grow in a warm and secure environment.
We blend the Pikler approach’s freedom with Montessori’s joy of discovery. Our warm, stimulating environment offers open-ended play, sensory adventures, and respectful care, letting their natural curiosity bloom.
Our guiding principles are rooted in love, respect, and understanding:
• We give each child our full, undivided attention, especially during those special moments of care.
• We slow down, embracing a gentle pace that aligns with each child’s unique rhythm.
• We nurture trust and build meaningful relationships during caregiving activities.
• We respect each baby’s natural development, ensuring they are only in positions they can achieve on their own.
• We provide plenty of uninterrupted time for babies to play, explore, and grow at their own pace.
• We listen closely to the cues babies share with us, always responding with care and respect.
These principles guide us in creating a warm, supportive environment where every child feels safe, valued, and deeply cared for.
The Pukeko Room is a special place for our preschool children aged 2 to 5 years, offering a vibrant and engaging environment that gently prepares them for the exciting transition to school.
The Pukeko Room
is a special place for our preschool children aged 2 to 5 years, offering a vibrant and engaging environment that gently prepares them for the exciting transition to school.
Our environment is carefully organized into five distinct areas to encourage independence, exploration, and hands-on learning. These areas are designed to meet the developmental needs of preschool-aged children and foster a love for learning:
Practical Life Area
- Focus: Real-life skills that promote independence, coordination, and concentration.
- Activities: Pouring, spooning, buttoning, sweeping, food preparation, and care for the environment.
- Purpose: Builds fine motor skills, self-discipline, and a sense of responsibility.
Sensorial Area
- Focus: Developing the five senses through hands-on exploration.
- Materials: Pink tower, color tablets, sound cylinders, geometric solids, and tactile boards.
- Purpose: Enhances sensory perception, attention to detail, and foundational skills for math and language.
Mathematics Area
- Focus: Introduction to numbers, quantities, and basic math concepts through concrete materials.
- Materials: Number rods, sandpaper numbers, spindle boxes, bead chains, and golden bead materials.
- Purpose: Develops an understanding of numbers, patterns, and operations in a tactile way.
Language Area
- Focus: Building vocabulary, phonetics, and pre-reading and writing skills.
- Materials: Sandpaper letters, movable alphabet, language cards, and early readers.
- Purpose: Prepares children for reading and writing by developing phonemic awareness and fine motor skills.
Cultural Area
- Focus: Expanding knowledge about the world, nature, science, geography, and arts.
- Materials: Globes, puzzle maps, lifecycle models, science experiments, and cultural artifacts.
- Purpose: Fosters curiosity and respect for diverse cultures, the natural world, and scientific inquiry.
Howe Street Early Learning Centre 