Bambinos
School Readiness
Pukeko four-year-old programme
‘Pukeko time’ aims to provide four-year-old tamariki (children) with a programme to support their transition to school.
The programme will be based on child interests, dispositions, and working theories, as well as parent aspirations.
The aim is to equip tamariki with confidence, and ensure they feel they are “ready, willing, and able” (Ministry of Education, 2007) for the next phase of their lifelong learning journey.
He iti te mokoroa nāna te kahikatea i kakati
(Even the small can make a big impact on the big)
Throughout ‘Pukeko time’ tamariki will be provided with opportunities to:
• Develop an identity as a confident and competent learner.
• Develop problem-solving and perseverance skills.
• Form relationships, develop empathy for others, as well as refine communication skills.
• Learn from one another, collaborate, and develop agency over their learning.
• Explore areas of the community on supervised group outings.
• Demonstrate leadership and responsibility.
• Demonstrate respect and accountability for their belongings.
Like a seedling ready to be planted in new soil.
‘Pukeko time’ will also explore areas such as:
• Self- help skills, literacy, numeracy, pencil holding, name and alphabet recognition, as well as using scissors and other equipment safety.
As the time comes for tamariki to leave Bambinos Early Childhood Centre it is hoped they have formed a secure sense of self, and hold a positive attitude towards their learning - ready to continue to explore their interests and passions, ask questions, challenge, invent, and make sense of the world around them.
Te Whāriki, the New Zealand Early Childhood curriculum suggests tamariki bring their funds of knowledge with them, and these can be explored and extended on in their new Primary School environment.