Updates
Regular updates to keep our families safe.
COVID 19
We hope you and your family have been keeping well and are looking forward to
reuniting with your teachers. Yesterday, our Prime Minister announced that New
Zealand will be going into Alert Level 2 on Thursday 14th May. This is very exciting
as it means that Apple Tree Childcare Centres will be reopening on Monday 18th
May and will resume to your normal booked hours.
A key message from the Prime Minister “Schools and Early Childhood services are a
safe environment for children, young people and staff. Additional public health
control measures are in place to prevent the spread of diseases and to support
contact tracing”.
We hope to continue to work together to ensure that Apple Tree is a
safe home for everyone. I know that together we can get through this difficult time.
At this time Apple Tree Management and Staff have put in place new procedures for
our return back at Alert Level 2. The Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health
have also put clear expectations and guidelines for us all to follow. Apple Tree
Childcare has put few restrictions and measures in place to ensure the safety of our
children, families and staff. We hope our whanau/ caregivers fully support these
approaches by doing your part too.
Covid-19 Procedures for Alert Level 2
Apple Tree will continue to increase our cleaning regime including disinfecting door handles, lights switches and other common use surface areas daily.
– Regular washing and drying of hands continues.
– Teachers will continue to encourage children to cough/ sneeze into their
elbow and follow with effective hand washing procedures.
– Teachers will keep an appropriate distance from children and other staff.
Children will be encouraged to do the same.
– Visitors will not be allowed to enter the main rooms. They will need to stay in
the office/foyer area. (Please follow the visitor procedure that is placed at the
front door)
– All Food coming into the centre will be washed with soap and hot water.
– We will ensure to collect effective contact tracing processes for everyone who visits the service, everyday
Sickness Procedures – level 2
Sickness Procedures Level 2 – Recommendations from the Ministry of health.
Any child or staff member showing any signs or symptoms of sickness will be sent
home immediately.
This includes but is not limited to:
– Fever (38 degrees or higher)
– Cough
– Runny Nose
– Sore Throat
– Any kind of respiratory symptoms
– General feeling of unwell
– Any flu like symptoms
Children or staff who are experiencing symptoms of sickness may not return until all
symptoms are clear with a doctors certificate of wellness. They still must not be
showing any symptoms before return.
Any child, family member or staff member who has been tested for COVID-19 must
stay away from the centre until they receive the results giving them the all clear.
Please advise the manager if your child or other family member is suspected of
having COVID-19.
These procedures will be reviewed in two weeks or earlier if the government decides
to move out of level 2.
Drop Off Procedure
1. We encourage one parent to drop their child.
2. We encourage parents to stagger their time coming into the centre, this may mean waiting in the car or by the gate.
3. All parents follow the signs placed at the entrance and we strongly encourage social distancing.
4. Sanitizer will be available in the office, all parents MUST sanitize their hands upon arrival.
5. A teacher will take your child’s temperature using an infrared thermometer. Parents and caregivers are to REMAIN in the OFFICE/FOYER at this time. If your child displays a temperature of 38℃ or higher you will be required to take your child from the centre immediately.
6. If your child is well, a teacher will collect your child from the office and take them directly to wash hands.
Children’s temperatures will be checked again at lunchtime.
Pick Up Procedure
1. We encourage only one parent/caregiver to come into the centre.
2. We encourage parents/caregivers to stagger their time coming into the centre, this may mean waiting in the car or by the front gate.
3. Upon arrival all parents/caregivers MUST sanitize their hands and WAIT in the OFFICE/FOYER for a teacher to bring their child to them. Teachers will ensure all belongings are with the child.
4. We will send all drink bottles home to be cleaned for the following day. No drink bottles are to be left at Apple Tree
Philosophy & Mission
To create a warm, calm and loving environment. Giving children the best opportunity to flourish and grow. For that reason, we've created a home away from home.
Helping Your Child Explore, Grow, & Learn
We pride ourselves in the provision of a holistic curriculum that encompasses the Principles and goals of Te Whariki, the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum. At Apple Tree we encourage and support a life-long love for learning. Our curriculum allows for facilitated and self-directed learning, self-initiated spontaneous interactions and experiences that engage the children as a whole. Problem solving, determination and empathy are interwoven with the essential building blocks of literacy and numeracy – all within a caring and encouraging environment.
Programs
Albany
Infants
Our curriculum supports infants to learn through caring relationships and routines in a predictable and unhurried environment. The child’s key teacher works closely with families to respond to the changing needs of each infant and provide a range of play experiences that encourages learning in authentic and meaningful ways.
Under 2s
Educators work alongside children to support their greater capacity to engage in social relationships and competency in communication and oral language. We provide opportunities for children to begin to express their feelings and start to develop important social skills such as empathy, cooperation and self-regulation. The child’s key teacher works with families to build on the child’s strengths, passions and curiosities and create a foundation for lifelong learning.
Over 2s
As children grow through our programme they are encouraged to develop increased responsibility and independence allowing for autonomy and competence. The child’s key teachers works alongside families to challenge the child’s thinking, problem solve, make choices and take calculated risks. We encourage children to develop their own identity through their strengths and abilities while also fostering empathy, respect and a greater understanding of the wider world.
Pathways to school
Our pathways to school programme ensures that children are getting the best possible start before they move onto the next part of their learning journey. We work alongside schools in the area to meet the expectations of becoming a new entrant. The child’s key teacher works alongside families to develop positive attitudes to and expectations for learning. Educators provide a range of opportunities to support the development of literacy and mathematical concepts, creating a good foundation of learning before moving on to school.
Glenfield
Over 2s
As children grow through our programme, they are encouraged to develop increased responsibility and independence allowing for autonomy and competence. The child’s key teachers works alongside families to challenge the child’s thinking, problem solve, make choices and take calculated risks. We encourage children to develop their own identity through their strengths and abilities while also fostering empathy, respect and a greater understanding of the wider world.
Pathways to school
Our pathways to school programme ensures that children are getting the best possible start before they move onto the next part of their learning journey. We work alongside schools in the area to meet the expectations of becoming a new entrant. The child’s key teacher works alongside families to develop positive attitudes to and expectations for learning. Educators provide a range of opportunities to support the development of literacy and mathematical concepts, creating a good foundation of learning before moving on to school.
What Our Families are Saying
