IF YOU HAVE ANY SPARE PLEASE RECYCLE THEM

Kia ora Whānau! What a bumper issue February’s newsletter has turned out to be. Our
children have certainly been making the most of the warm weather � It’s always a
fantastic feeling reading through our newsletters and seeing the awesome photos, but
even more so when it showcases our children really getting the most out of our Little
Einsteins’ learning environment!
I would like to farewell and thank Tui teachers Michelle and Sarah for their contributions
to Little Einsteins during their time with us and to pass on a big welcome to Rebecca.
Both Sarah and Michelle helped to establish the Tui room with Sarah starting with us on
day one! Michelle is taking up an opportunity to change career path becoming a
mentor for adults seeking employment (last day 10 th March), while Sarah is to start her
maternity leave (last day is 11 th March). I know that this is not a final farewell as both of
these lovely teachers have been instructed to keep in touch!! Rebecca has already
joined us in our Tui room. She completed her teaching qualification in 2010 and is a
friendly and enthusiastic new addition to Rūma Tui. So far she tells me she is having a
fantastic time getting to know our children; I know that you will help her to feel part of
the family.
Finally with regards to the devastating earthquake, our thoughts are with the people of
Christchurch their friends and families at this difficult time.
- Jayne (Manager)
Meet our Little Einsteins’ Men.... Gareth and Dan!
According to 2005 figures, New Zealand men make up has less than 1% of people working in
early childhood education (Press release: Ministry of Education, 1 April 2007). Research
suggests that there are a number of advantages to having males working in early childhood
centres. It is widely accepted that males and females have different ways of interacting (rough
and tumble play), communicating and forming relationships. Just as we would want our Centre
to reflect ethnic and cultural differences, we are attempting to provide gender diversity as well.
Boys in particular are thought to benefit from a positive male influence during their early years of
development. Male participation allows both boys and girls the opportunity to see that men can
be as capable as women in caring for and teaching young children. Our two men on staff are
introduced below and have been enjoying their time teaching across all three of our age groups.
Big Friendly Gareth
Gareth is a local man and is a huge fan of the outdoors. He comes to us
with work experience in outdoor education at Totara Springs and
Waimarino, where he has spent his time kayaking, tramping and rock
climbing! Gareth is excited to begin his BTchg ECE this year at The
University of Waikato.
Sporty Dan
Dan is a keen and talented footballer, and he plays for Cambridge
Men’s First 11. From a family of seven children (when not teaching
or with his head in the books) Dan likes to spend time at the beach
with his friends. Dan is training for his Bachelor of Teaching ECE at
WINTEC, and could be found in any of our three areas sharing his
passion for sport with our tamariki.

Kia ora Whānau from Rūma Kiwi! Firstly we would like to give a big warm welcome to our
newest members to Rūma Kiwi – Charlotte, Jensen, Tadiwa, Bailey, Elena, Kaitlin, Ryland,
Bailee, William F and Paige. We are enjoying getting to know you and your Whānau �
During February we have loved hearing about and sharing
information about the summer holidays as well as exploring our
outside environment. Thanks to all our families who provided
awesome stories about what you have been up to this summer.
What wonderful weather this month has provided us with! Linking
with your stories of outside fun in the sun we participated in the
Little Einsteins Beach Party. Everyone got involved and we took full
advantage of the weather and enjoyed lots of water play outside,
from using the sprinkler to the water trough, to even making a mini
paddling pool in the sand pit.
We have also been for lots of excursions to the Tui and Pukeko rooms with exploration and
physical skill development in mind...... This has also given us an extension to the “whānau time”
we are encouraging where siblings can connect with each other throughout the day.
Finally, congratulations and farewell to William H and Hayley as they have transitioned into
Rūma Tui, we know you will enjoy your time over there and we’ll be keeping in touch �
Ka kite ano Whānau, your Rūma Kiwi Teachers
Melanie, Laura, Pauline, Melinda Sheryl & Alex
A reminder that individual photos will be taken from Monday 7 th –
Thursday 10 th March. Class photos will be the morning of Friday 11 th
March. A timetable will be issued closer to the date. Thanks to those who
have returned their forms stating preference of days and sibling photos.
A big thank you to those who have donated clothing, toys and equipment for us to sell at the Cambridge Parents Centre BABY BONANZA on
Saturday 5 th March at the Cambridge Town Hall.
Please if you would like to donate any good used clothing, toys & nursery equipment we would appreciate it before Wednesday 2 nd March.
All proceeds will be going to Little Einsteins Fundraising.
Thanks for your support �

Kia ora Rūma Tui Whānau � A big welcome to Hayley and William, our new Tui tamariki who
have transitioned from the Kiwi room. Also to our new or returning families of Lucy, Eli,
Jonny & Abi, we are looking forward to getting to know you more as you grow and learn!
Another big welcome is to the newest member of our Tui teaching team: Rebecca, who is
joined us on 21 st of February.
We have had a fantastic fun-filled month in Rūma Tui which has
included lots of water play and exploring our environment! Children have
been excited to share their holiday experiences with us which has
meant lots of awesome conversations about the beach. This has led to
a major focus this month, with lots of play involving the ocean and the
beach. We had a lovely time during our beach party day, enjoying the
water play and exploring the natural beach resources that were in the
sandpit. A huge thank you to those parents and Whānau who joined us
for the day. It is always so awesome to share our day with you,
enhancing the relationship between Little Einsteins and home. �
After the holidays we also had lots of children telling us about their
holiday travels! Some lucky Tui Tamariki have even been on aeroplanes which had led to lots
of play involving airports, very exciting. �
A couple of things to remember......
- Please check your parent pockets frequently
as there is important information placed in them.
- Lots of changes of clothes for your busy children, who love water play and also exploring
messy play. �
And finally...as you know we farewell two much loved Tui teachers next month. Michelle and
Sarah have enjoyed their rewarding time working at Little Einsteins, with your tamariki. Our
team has benefited as we have seen them both blossom as competent teachers over the two
years they’ve been teaching with us. Sarah and Michelle’s mat time farewell will be Friday 11 th
March. WE WILL MISS YOU VERY MUCH MICHELLE & SARAH – Come back to visit �
Ka kite ano Whānau, your Rūma Tui Teachers
Janelle, Sarah, Caroline, Emily, Michelle, Shelly & Rebecca
Our new Sun Hat policy asks that you provide
your child with a Sun Safe hat that is to
remain here at Little Einsteins.
YOU CAN PURCHASE YOUR CHILD A CANCER
SOCIETY SUNSMART HAT THROUGH US FOR
JUST $10.
Which will be clearly named and then
decorated by the children. Please let office
staff know if you would like one �
On Tuesday 8 th March the
team from B4 School Check will
be here to screen our 4 year old
children for hearing problems and some vision
problems. This vision screening is done to
identify children with amblyopia (lazy eye). It
does not detect all vision problems, including
some problems which may affect reading. If
your child is four and does not usually attend on
a Tuesday, it is worth your while to bring them
in for their B4 School Check.

- WE ARE IN NEED OF PLASTIC BAGS -
IF YOU HAVE ANY SPARE PLEASE RECYCLE THEM: BRING THEM TO US �
– Please pack togs daily: we do so much water play –
Kia Ora Rūma Pukeko Whānau!
As usual in Rūma Pukeko we’ve had lots of exciting things
happening for groups and individuals over the last month.
Our pukeko learners contributed strongly to planning the
centre-wide Beach Party making great connections to the
summer holiday experiences they’ve been sharing with us
and their peers as part of our links with home.
Inviting our friends from Rūma Tui and Kiwi for informal play and learning
has been a big part of our children taking a lead in planning and extending
their own learning. It has been valuable using these experiences to
support new children transitioning into Pukeko. We’ve enjoyed seeing our
new friends settling in and becoming part of our learning whānau. A big
welcome to Brooke, Fin, Samantha, Kaiden, Charlie T and Viren from the
Tui room and also our friends Harrison, Baxter and Zachary who, along
with their families are new to Little Einsteins. We look forward to
getting to know you and have you become a part of what we offer �.
We have had more fantastic developments
in our outdoor learning environment – have
you checked our new facilities for
carpentry and construction? Children have
been buzzing with some amazing creations
being produced. In the paddocks we’ve
had front row seats to watching trees
getting cut down and mulched. This was
extended by visiting the site, which included picking and eating blackberries as well as
bringing back some slabs of wood from the tree. Our lower outdoor area is currently under
development with children working to build a new bigger veggie, herb and flower (sensory)
garden – extending the growing area to surround the big tree. Some of our keen gardening
friends took the lead in selecting some seedlings to plant with a recent excursion to Mitre 10
Mega. If you have seedlings or something to contribute to this budding area please feel free
to join our hands-on journey to cultivation and creation!
Finally, we want to know how important it is having you become part of and contribute to our
daily programme. As a recently formed teaching team we’re enjoying getting to know our
extended whānau and encourage you to have a chat and get to know us better. Don’t forget
you can connect with us using technology via “skype”- our username is: pukeko.laptop
Arohanui, Your Rūma Pukeko teachers
Vikki, Charlotte, Julia, Sarah, Anita, Katie, Tracey & Dan �

HAIRCUTS
These are
happening
on
Wednesday
6 th April
$15 each
See office to
book
The children have enjoyed
getting back into pony riding
lessons, and new to 2011
SWIMMING lessons!
Please see office to book
your child in – spaces are
limited �