Collectively Kids caters for children aged 3 months to five years. Children can attend for full days or part-time.
The centre (previously Montessori Khyber Pass) opened on a sessional basis in 1993 on Khyber Pass Road. It began operating as an all day early childhood education centre in September 1996. In April 2002 it became a company named Collectively Kids and in 2007 we moved to new premises at 28 Carrington Road. Marina Bachmann is a director of the company and professional leader of the centre.
Hours
7.30-5.30 Monday to Friday
The centre is closed for one to two weeks over Christmas and on statutory holidays
Teacher/Child Ratios
From 9am to 4pm 5 teachers work with a maximum of 30 children, 3 in the over-two area and 2 in the under-two area. Outside these times there are fewer teachers as children arrive and begin to leave. In addition Education Support Workers and students may be present for parts of the day.
Enrolment
We require parents to visit the centre before enrolment takes place. You are welcome to spend as much time at the centre as you like, preferably with your child. The enrolment process is complete once your place has been confirmed, enrolment forms have been returned to the centre and two weeks fees/optional charges (in advance) have been paid.
Please make sure that you do take the time to visit the centre with your child before attendance begins. We will arrange home visits before enrolment for infants and toddlers if this is of interest to families.
Planning, Policies, and other information
Please ask teachers if you have any questions. Noticeboards display some information for parents. You are also most welcome to look at the operations folder in the parent library, or to access policies via this website.
Education Programme at Collectively Kids
Environmental sustainability forms the foundation of our programme, policies, systems and practices.
We view the education of children as a community project where all members have the opportunity to contribute and learn. Our community consists of - children, parents, whānau, qualified teachers, Education Support Workers, student teachers and advisors. To enrich this approach we have a strong focus on engaging with our local and wider community.
The programme is based on the principles, strands and goals of Te Whāriki with a strong emphasis on:
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Supportive relationships and effective communication between all members of the centre community to support learning
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Equity and inclusion
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A formal and informal process of noting, discussing and documenting learning in which all members of the community have opportunities to participate
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Sharing information to enrich the educational programme and make it more responsive to the interests, strengths and needs of children at Collectively Kids
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In-centre research to support learning
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A commitment to continue to explore the implications of our bicultural heritage within the centre programme
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Education as including an element of risk and adventure
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Offering a wide range of resources and experiences within a flexible environment
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A reflective and (constructively) critical approach to teaching and centre practices
Our day
We place a high value on learning and believe that the deepest learning occurs within a flexible and responsive environment. For this reason our days are adjusted to accommodate the interests and needs of the community and of individuals.
Infant Toddler room
Teachers are responsive to the interests, strengths and needs of the children and provide a mix of planned and spontaneous experiences indoors and outdoors.
Information from home and the daily needs of individual children guide routines such as breastfeeding/bottles, meal times, sleeps and nappy changing.
Young children
Most of our day is flexible so that children and teachers are free to explore planned and spontaneous experiences indoors and outdoors. Children are expected to help with tidying when they leave an area and before mat time (about 11.30am). Mat time emerges from the interests of all children. Younger children usually join mat time for a short period while older children are encouraged to stay for longer periods to engage in topics and projects of particular interest to them. Children sit together to eat lunch but may leave as soon as they have finished. Sleep, toileting and nappy changing routines are based on the needs of children and information from families. Morning and afternoon tea is provided for extended periods and children sit to eat when they are ready.
You can read our annual report to find out about our work in 2014:
For further information please refer to:
Our Philosophy
Fees Policy
Environment Policy
Education Review Office Reports
Videos and other information in the Videos and Presentations page