Kakano

Kākano is our 3 month – 2 year old learning space. We work within a 1:3 ratio, allowing for high-quality care for all tamariki. Here our practice is guided by the principles of respectful care, primary care giving and free movement. Your child will have a ’Primary Carer’ when they start at Little Acorns who will spend as much one on one time with them as necessary to help create emotional security.  This teacher will be a special person for your child to go to when they need someone. They will be responsible for planning for your child and doing most of their care routines during the day e.g. feeding, changing, getting to sleep. The other teachers will help to support your child also but they will have that special someone who knows them best!

Research shows that children do not need to be taught how to master their milestones, as they can be developed naturally. Here at Little Acorns, we believe it is important to allow our tamariki to lead their own development, therefore we try not to place a child in a position that they cannot get into or out of themselves. This way, they are safely exploring their environment until they can manipulate their bodies into other positions by themselves.

Most importantly, we are a child-led space. While we have a general routine of how our days flow, we are flexible to work around individual children’s routines and needs. Children bring their own lunch, snacks, and water bottle. We encourage children to have a healthy and fulfilling lunch. We are happy to reheat food using the microwave, or to make toast. If your child is having bottles of breastmilk or formula, we will prepare and give these in accordance with our Food and Nutrition policy. We have an open-door policy, so if you wish to come in during the day to breastfeed your child, you are more than welcome.