September 2011

Rampaging pirates stormed Cloverlea Kindergarten, attracted by the jewellery and treasures brought in by a large group of Fancy Nancys.

Fancy Nancy is a character in a series of books about a little girl who likes to be fancy and wear lots of accessories and jewellery. The girls have been interested in Fancy Nancy activities for some time. And the boys, well, they love pirates!

 Staff at Cloverlea decided to act on this interest by holding a pirates and Fancy Nancy day. All the children got on board and eagerly set sail for a day of fun, including a treasure hunt and singing plenty of Fancy Nancy and pirate songs.

 ‘The children’s families did an excellent job of dressing the children in costume, they were an amazing sight,’ said head teacher Lynnette.

 Everyone tucked into a hearty meal including fish and gold coins for the seafarers and special cupcakes for the Nancys.

Above: A pirate uses technology to search for treasure

Easter excitement at Cloverlea

April 2011

Children transformed into rabbits at Cloverlea Kindergarten and celebrated the end of term one with an Easter party.

Parents and siblings came along to join the fun which involved singing and Easter presents. 

Teachers wish all families a happy and safe Easter break and look forward to hearing all about it when kindergarten starts back Monday May 2nd.

Above: Children sing Little Peter Rabbit had a fly upon his nose at the Cloverlea Kindergarten Easter party.

Winning wheels
March 2011

Cloverlea Kindergarten children, parents, teachers and extended whānau enjoyed an evening of wheelie good fundraising recently at the Cloverlea Kindergarten Wheel-a-thon. 

Children from the kindergarten completed one circuit while older children and siblings completed another. 

Bikes, trikes and scooters all joined the fun and a great time was had by all.

What a fantastic way to bring families together and promote active movement!

Above: Children line up for the Cloverlea Kindergarten Wheel-a-thon. 

Above: On the right track - children participate in the Cloverlea Kindergarten Wheel-a-thon. 

Freezy Friday fun
February 2011

Science proved a hit at Cloverlea Kindergarten recently, with children exploring the concepts of melting, freezing, sun, shade and dissolving during Freezy Friday.

Above: Cloverlea Kindergarten children use salt, warm water and spoons to release toy dinosaurs from the ice on Freezy Friday. 

Christmas comes to Cloverlea
December 2010

Santa Claus made a special appearance at the Cloverlea Kindergarten Christmas Party on Wednesday December 8 where he handed out Christmas presents to all the girls and boys. 

Kelly said the children sang Christmas songs beautifully and everybody thoroughly enjoyed the shared morning tea. 

Above: Santa spreads some Christmas cheer at the Cloverlea Kindergarten Christmas party. 

Above: Children and families gather at Cloverlea Kindergarten for singing and Santa 

Farmyard fun
November 2010

The Cloverlea Kindergarten playground was transformed into a farmyard on Thursday November 18 thanks to a special visit from Farmer Bee and her Zippity Zoo. 

Animal guests included chickens, guinea pigs, a rabbit, a dog, a sheep, a lamb and a goat. 

Above: Girls pat one of Farmer Bee's lambs as it grazes the Cloverlea Kindergarten lawn 

Splashing in the sun
October 2010

Children at Cloverlea Kindergarten are celebrating the change of weather with some child-led water play.

One of the children initiated getting out the kindergarten's canal system and everybody thoroughly enjoyed experimenting with the different ways water can be used.

Above: Children at Cloverlea Kindergarten enjoy experimenting with water 

Above: Children enjoy the sun and engage in water play at Cloverlea Kindergarten

Cloverlea's Picassos
September 2010 

Creativity is in the air at Cloverlea Kindergarten as children explore, discover and communicate through the use of art and literacy.

Head Teacher, Lynette, said "children love exploring and experimenting with all types of media and materials".

"Through stamping, marbling, puppet making, batik work, foam painting and other creative activities children learn the symbols of different cultures, strengthen their ability to make choices and develop their communication skills", she said.

All teachers at Cloverlea encourage continuity links between literacy and art to support and develop comprehension as well as letter recognition, how to hold and read a book and fine motor skills in preparation for writing.

This encouragement fosters children's enthusiasm for meaningful and expressive ongoing learning that's a whole lot of fun.

The learning children are involved in during everyday kindergarten activities is vital to their developing social skills as they make choices, take turns, peer tutor, converse, share and discuss ideas and participate.

Above: Jordan and Jada proudly show their representation of Brown Paper Bear

Wacky Wednesday
August 2010

Wednesday August 11 was an especially wacky one for children, teachers and families at Coverlea Kindergarten with snakes in the mailbox, teachers wearing pyjamas, crazy facepaint, silly songs and a wonderfully wacky feast.

Based on popular children's book, Wacky Wednesday, in which a boy wakes up to find the whole world's gone wacky, the kindergarten's annual silly day provides a bit of light-hearted fun.

Teacher Julie described the day as "lots of fun in the middle of winter" saying "children look forward to it so much they start counting down the sleeps".

"Everyone really gets into it. Parents, siblings and families all come along, and the children extend their own learning by asking questions", she said.