A cool day of learning
February 2011

Ashhurst Kindergarten's Wet and Wild Day was a huge hit with water-loving children recently as they learnt about the different states of water and played water games.

Children enjoyed putting out imaginary fires with spray bottles, throwing wet sponges at pictures of sea creatures, experimenting with blocks of ice and running under the sprinkler.

Head teacher Jacqui said some children from farming families hadn't experienced running under a sprinkler before because many have tank water at home.

At the end of the day children who had ordered ice blocks got to eat them on the way home.

What a fantastic day of learning and exploration at kindergarten!

Above: Children throw wet sponges at seas creatures which they drew and coloured in the day before.

Above: Two girls experiment with water and buckets in the sandpit.

Above: Children enjoy running under the sprinkler on Wet and Wild Day. 

A big THANKS to our quiz sponsors
September 2010

Ashhurst Kindergarten would like to thank all Battle of the Wests Quiz Sponsors for their support and donations. Without their invaluable contributions events like the quiz would not be possible.

Thank you once again to the Ashhurst RSA for the use of their venue. 

Our awesome sponsors:
Watties
Interislander
Totally Vets
Daytona
Lollipops Playland
Streets Ahead
Ashhurst 4 Square
Freyberg Pool
Rotorua Duck Tours
Totill Electrical
Welcome Aboard
Norman Ross
Eco Store
Rotorua Skyline
ABB
Contours Womens Gym
Aromatics
Whittakers
Pukaha Mt Bruce
The Herb Farm
International Antartic Centre
Palmfeild Motors
Ecomist - Kevin Godfrey
Nicola Hemphill
Hunting & Fishing
Inspirenet Squash Gym
Dick Smith
Admiral Court Motel
Colonial Court Motel
Toops
Pohangina Valley Estate
Barkers of Geraldine
Uncle Bills 
Warehouse Stationery
Carters
Toi Katoa (Ta Moko)

Child's play
August 2010

Fundraising for Ashhurst Kindergarten's playground redevelopment is well underway, but the old fort is proving something of an obstacle to construction.

Despite being a much-loved feature of the playground, Ashhurst Kindergarten's fort has seen better days.

Parts of the structure have been dismantled, but help is required in designing and altering the rest to make way for new moveable play equipment, which the kindergarten is hoping to purchase.

Head Teacher, Jacqui Reid, says the new moveable equipment will "enhance children's play and provide greater physical challenges to build confidence, physical skills, cooperative skills, social skills and joy for learning".

It will be of real benefit to children as they learn through play and develop independence.

"The equipment will be an exciting addition to our kindergarten environment, but we need help to alter the existing fort and slide to create a space that will allow children to manipulate the equipment to suit their needs", she said.

Ashhurst Kindergarten is not for profit and is currently appealing to anyone with a flair for design or architecture, who is able to assist with drawing up playground plans, to make contact on 06 326 8329.

Community assistance has been invaluable in raising funds for the project and the kindergarten would like to thank all those who have contributed to the redevelopment to date.

West is Best at the Ashhurst Kindergarten Quiz
July 2010

West is best at this year's annual quiz being held at the Ashhurst RSA on 3rd September to raise funds for Ashhurst Kindergarten.

This year's theme is ‘Battle of the Wests' so grab your thinking cap, get dressed in your best western or westie digs and you may just wrangle yourself a trip down south. The Interislander Ferry has kindly donated a family pass and the kindergarten is currently talking to other businesses keen to donate prizes or products to be auctioned off on the night.

Supper will be provided by Fusion Café and bar facilities will be open for service. At only $15 per person, with all proceeds going towards Ashhurst's playground restoration, this is one night out you won't want to miss.

Entries close 1^st September so register your team of four today. Pop into Ashhurst Kindergarten to pick up your registration form, or give them a call on 06 3268329 to find out more.

Sessions available at Ashhurst Kindergarten
June 2010

The waiting list has fallen at Ashhurst Kindergarten and sessions are now available for over 3s.

The fabulous teaching team at Ashhurst provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere for children and caregivers alike.

Sessions involve a variety of engaging activities and plenty of opportunities for children to explore.

Ashhurst Kindergarten has play dough, puzzles, painting, blocks and dress-ups for imaginative play. The kindergarten also has a wonderful outdoor area with a great new tool shed for carpentry work, a large sandpit, water activities, ride ons, trolleys, swings and a slide. 

The kindergarten is also in the process of upgrading its old wooden playground with a new modular playground, which can be moved around to suit children's needs and better utilise the outdoor area. 

Session times are:
Mon, Tues, Thurs - 8.30am to 2.20pm
Wed, Fri - 8.30am to 12.45pm 

Come along and experience the innovative learning taking place at Ashhurst!