Baby Steps

We have an opportunity to get some funding from the Ministry of Education for Baby Steps.

We have identified some things that would be helpful:

1. Better fitted stair gate

2. Large mats for jumping off the stage, falling, forward rolls etc

3. Baby Change table for upstairs

4. Climbing equipment for small babies learning to climb and stand

5. Powered speakers for music (we have been bringing ours from home)

6. Set of play dough equipment (we bring ours from home currently)

7. Dress ups with mirror

8. Dolls and accessories

Please leave a message or get in touch, or fill out the survey at Baby Steps so we know which things are a priority for you and your children, and if you have any other ideas for things we should purchase.

See you back in session 10am Thursday 22nd July!

Baby Steps is back and we look forward to seeing you on Thursday March 4th. Here is everything you need to know about our group.

We run sessions every Thursday during term time 10am –12pm From March 4^th 2010 at Thistle Hall Community Venue (upstairs) on the corner of Arthur and Cuba Streets.

All children 0-6 years and their parents/family members welcome, entry is $2 per family

For information call Lily on 04 3862433 or 021 0220 4635

http://babysteppers.blogspot.com/

We welcome all ages and encourage parents with small babies to join us for a coffee and to meet others in a supportive environment for both parents and children. Please bring a snack and a drink for your child.

Philosophy

Our philosophy is to provide creative and vibrant free play as well as adult assisted activities for children ages 0-6. We want our children to learn to interact with other children of all ages, to participate in creative play, use their imaginations, their bodies and their minds in active ways.

We expect all our members to interact and engage the children in the activities at hand. We encourage parents to help out, manage and oversee other children if their parent is busy or otherwise engaged.

Baby Steps is a non-hitting environment where children feel safe and valued.

Providing positive guidance to children at Baby Steps is the responsibility of all parents in the group. Positive behaviour management methods should always be used to ensure that:

· No child hurts themselves or another child

· No child damages property or another child's work

· Children speak to each other, and to adults, with respect.

Try to:

· Explain to children the behaviour you want

· Notice and praise good behaviour when it happens (be specific)

· Model good behaviour yourself

· Be reasonable in what you expect (Be aware of what is "normal" behaviour for the child's age)

· Ignore small things that don't matter

· Allow children to resolve conflicts themselves where possible.

Unacceptable behaviour should be dealt with immediately by the person(s) who observe it, using some of the positive behaviour management methods listed below:

· If children are in immediate danger (e.g. from being hit on the head with a hammer) then an adult should gently physically restrain the hitter

· Explain to the child why the behaviour is unacceptable

· Remind the child of the playgroup "rules" or limits

· Use positive phrases to explain what behaviour is required

· Help the child to verbalise what s/he wants (it maybe helpful to give the child a phrase to use)

· Redirect the child to another activity if appropriate

· Encourage sharing and turn taking.

Baby Steps Curriculum

We endeavour to empower our members by supporting their exploration and contribution to the group. We encourage reciprocal relationships between caregivers and children. We understand and support children at their learning stages, yet offer support when they are challenging these. Bike riding

We acknowledge the importance of physical activity for children, especially as they get older, and therefore provide engaged physical activities such as bike riding and dancing.

Bike Riding

As the hall has such a big space available, we have the opportunity to provide bike riding inside. This is managed safely by a parent, and kept separate from intimate play areas with the use of furniture and road cones. Children veering off in the incorrect directions will be managed by a parent/s.

Music & Dance

Music is very important in this play group. Initially we wanted to introduce our kids to quality music and not just “kids music” although music has been chosen that is appropriate for young children. We have a set of music equipment that is played along with a CD. Children are encouraged to play, sing and dance. We are building up a set of songs the group can learn, sing and play along to.

Dress ups

We aim to provide a dress up part to our curriculum, yet without funding we have little resources. Currently we have two donated dresses and two hats, which have been a big hit, with funding we would endeavour to make or buy tails, ears and masks for animal dress up, hats, coats, scarves, halloween style dress ups, aprons, etc.

Play dough

A homemade play dough table is set up at the beginning of the session, this entails two types of play dough and objects and tools for making, baking, cutting and display of play dough creations.

Art and Construction

We have two big bags of lovely wooden blocks which have been very popular so far, we would love to get more blocks and cars and houses with which to make city/town scenes for imaginative play. We also have a range of cardboard boxes, which the children love to stack up and knock down, play in or just get in and out of. We have provided a large roll of newsprint and crayons, and also chalk to use on Thistle Hall’s chalk board. We aim to expand this to a crafting and art table as we get more funds.

Housekeeping

Thistle Hall is a multi-level building. Baby Steps is located on the second level. Entrance to the venue is on Arthur Street, this is a very bust road, please monitor your child at all times. Lift access will be available for those with wheels. There are stairs which will be gated off. Please ensure the gate is closed at all times.

There is one hour free parking on Arthur and the top of Cuba streets, you may want to move your car half way through the session, so please ask another parent to watch your child while you do this. There are 2 hour pay and display parks further down Cuba street and Abel Smith street also.

Our kitchen is available for the use of parents, but children are discouraged from entering. The first aid kit is located above the hand-washing sink in the kitchen.

Please check with the parent before you offer snacks to children other than your own, as they may have allergies or dietary restrictions.

We have a change table available on the ground floor in the wheelchair access toilet. You are welcome to change your child in the designated area upstairs also.

Evacuation procedures are on the wall above the fire hose in the main hall. Please familiarise yourself with them at your first visit. We have emergency supplies in case of a civil defence emergency also.

Management and administration

Baby Steps is a voluntary, parent run playgroup. If you are interested in being more involved in the running of the group, please speak to one of the following people. We encourage parents and children to come and help with set up (usually from 9.30am) and pack down at 11.45.

Coordinator – Lily Chalmers 04 3862433/ 021 0220 4635

Treasurer – Hannah Mitchell 04 9711824

Creative – Gabby O’Connor

Baby Steps hires the Thistle Hall venue at $10 per hour. All proceeds from funding or donations go towards equipment and hall hire.

Most toys apart from those that belong to Thistle Hall are on loan from the members of the administration of this play group, until such time we can buy a Baby Steps set. If you are able to or know anyone who would be willing to donate appropriate equipment to our group, please pass on our contact details.