Welcome to the Under Twos

Nau mai, haere mai ki ngā pēpī

We warmly welcome you and your child to Kids at Play. We value the relationships we build with children and whānau and recognise the importance of working together to support your child's learning, wellbeing, and development.

This page has been designed to help familiarise you with our Under Twos environment, routines, and daily practices. Please speak with our teaching team at any time if you have questions or would like to discuss your child's needs.

Our Under Twos Environment

Our Under Twos space is licensed for up to 12 children under two years of age. The teaching team works collaboratively to provide nurturing, responsive care and meaningful learning experiences throughout the day.

Our teachers rotate between the Under Twos and Over Twos environments, ensuring continuity across the centre. Asuka, our Head Teacher, is available to support families and answer any questions you may have.

Sharing Information About Your Child

The more we know about your child, the better we can support them throughout their day. We appreciate families sharing information about sleep, feeding, health, routines, or any changes at home that may affect their child's well-being.

We encourage parents and caregivers to communicate directly with a teacher at drop-off and record any important information in the daily message book located in the parent area.

Learning Through Play

Children's days are filled with opportunities to explore, investigate, discover, and develop relationships through play. Our programme responds to children's interests, strengths, and developing capabilities.

As our learning experiences can be wonderfully messy, we recommend children wear comfortable clothing suitable for active play. Please ensure all clothing is clearly named.

Important Information for Families

Lockers and Personal Belongings

Each child has a designated locker space during their attendance days. Please provide:

Named nappies
Comfort items (such as a blanket or dummy)
A minimum of three complete changes of named clothing

Children's bags should be stored in the locker area located in the awning.

Parent Pockets

Please check your family pocket daily for notices, forms, and important centre information. Parent pockets are located in the parent area and are clearly labelled.

Sleep and Rest

Children have an individual sleep space appropriate to their age and stage of development. Sleep is monitored in accordance with our safe sleep procedures, with regular physical checks conducted and recorded by teaching staff.

If your child uses a comfort item for sleep, please let the teaching team know. We ask that these items are taken home regularly for washing.

Families can view their child's sleep records each day and are encouraged to speak with teachers about any sleep-related questions or routines.

Nappy Changes and Bottle Information

We maintain daily records of children's nappy changes, bottle feeds, and fluid intake. These records are available for families to view each day.

Please ensure:

All nappies are clearly named.
Bottles are clearly labelled.
Prepared bottles are placed in the designated bottle area or fridge.
Bottles are taken home daily for cleaning.

Health, Accidents, and Illness

Should your child experience an accident or become unwell while in our care, staff will record the incident, provide appropriate care, and communicate this with you. Families are asked to review and sign any relevant accident or illness records.

Please also check notifications through our sign-in system for important messages.

Meals and Nutrition

Children are provided with nutritious meals and snacks prepared in accordance with our seasonal menu. Our menu is displayed within the centre and is also available here on our website.

Celebrating Birthdays

We celebrate birthdays through special group experiences, songs, and certificates. In line with our healthy eating philosophy, families are not required to provide birthday cakes or treats.

Storypark

All families are invited to join Storypark, our secure online learning community.

Through Storypark you can:

View your child's learning stories and photographs
Receive centre updates and messages
Share comments, photos, and family experiences
Invite approved family members to follow your child's learning journey

Medication

Any medication required during the day must be discussed with teaching staff and recorded on the appropriate medication form.

Please note:

Medication must be clearly labelled with the child's name.
Prescription medication must be current and in its original container with the pharmacy label attached.
Parents or caregivers are required to authorise administration before medication can be given.

Questions or Concerns

We value open communication and encourage families to speak with us whenever questions arise.

If you have any concerns, please speak with:

The teaching team
The Head Teacher
The Centre Supervisor
The Centre Manager

We are here to work in partnership with you and your whānau.

Daily Routine

Please note that routines are flexible and responsive to individual children's needs, particularly around sleep, feeding, and care moments.

Time Routine

7:30 am Children begin the day together in the Over Twos environment

9:00 am Morning tea9:30amNappy changing, sleep routines, and programme experiences

9:30 am - 11:00 am Indoor and outdoor learning experiences

11:00 am Lunch

11:30 am Nappy changing and story time

11:45 am Rest and sleep time; play experiences for children who are awake

1:30 pm Nappy changing

2:00 pm Afternoon tea

2:15 pm Indoor and outdoor learning experiences

2:45 pm Afternoon sleep for children who require it

3:45 pm Nappy changing and tidy up

4:00 pm Late afternoon snack

4:00 pm - 5:30 pm Flexible play and family departures

Our Room Philosophy

We recognise that care moments such as feeding, nappy changing, sleeping, and settling are valuable opportunities for connection, communication, and learning. We strive to create a calm, nurturing environment where children feel safe, respected, and empowered to explore the world around them.

This version aligns more closely with current Te Whāriki language, stronger partnership-with-whānau principles, and contemporary early childhood practice, while remaining welcoming and informative for families.

Under 2s Outdoor Area

The Under 2s outdoor area has a covered deck, sandpit and astro turf area. The open turf area allows for a different selection of playthings and equipment to be set up daily.

Under 2s Sandpit

The Under 2s Sandpit is covered and has heaps of toys to get our toddlers active

Under 2s AstroTurf Area

Under 2s AstroTurf Area can be changed out daily so our toddlers can try a variety of activities and develop their motor skills.

Under 2s Open Space

A large open space is not only great for different physical set ups but also a huge bonus for running/crawling races. Having the space to practice and master developing gross motor skills means building confident and capable toddlers. Courageous toddlers who feel safe to explore their curiosity.

Under 2s Interior Space

The Under 2s interior space is a gallery of achievements and experiences. Low Mirrors with handle bars help our youngest ones learn to pull themselves into a standing position. Natural fibres and textures are the first choice for toys and equipment, again nurturing the developing senses for touch, taste, sight and sound.

Under 2s 'The Arts'

For young children arts is a multisensory experience. When they see an object they may also expect to hear it, touch it or taste it. Their goal is not to produce something but to explore and manipulate the material. Our program includes daily opportunities for infants and toddlers to be creative in the arts. Our walls are well illustrated with their exploration.

Building Relationships through Play

“Play helps toddlers build relationships by learning about who they are and where they fit in the world. A well-planned curriculum, based on toddlers changing interests and abilities,empowers them to make their own choices and supports their learning”
Te Whariki

Stimulating the senses

As they directly experience things themselves, children explore and communicate preferences, making sense of the world around them.

Confident and Capable

“Toddlers have opportunities for active exploration with the support, but not the interference of adults. They have access to an increasing range of playthings that can enhance both gross and fine motor skills. “ Te Whariki

Under 2s Sandpit

The large Under 2s Sandpit is covered and has a chest of toys and equipment for all types of exploration. The sandpit also has a kitchen sink and bench equipped with access to running water for all year water play.

Enjoying the open spaces around Eden Park

Always taking an opportunity to practice and challenge their gross motor learning in different environments.

Enjoying Local Parks

The immediate community gives us the choice of several small park areas to visit on our morning walks. Sometimes we visit the playground at Bellevue Rd, take a run at the Ballantynes Square or enjoy the open spaces around Eden Park.

Under 2s

Welcome to the Under Twos

Nau mai, haere mai ki ngā pēpī

Our Under Twos Environment

Sharing Information About Your Child

Learning Through Play

Important Information for Families

Lockers and Personal Belongings

Parent Pockets

Sleep and Rest

Nappy Changes and Bottle Information

Health, Accidents, and Illness

Meals and Nutrition

Celebrating Birthdays

Storypark

Medication

Questions or Concerns

Daily Routine

Our Room Philosophy

LOCATION

HOURS