Caring for Under Twos

Caring for the under twos is a special job, according to the Kidicorp teachers. The Kidicorp philosophy is to welcome babies into their larger family, where as time goes by, and they are ready, each baby finds a wealth of companionship and stimulation with older and younger children.

Given that parents leaving their babies and toddlers in child care means they worry that they’ve done the right thing, a recent ERO report tells of comforting quality care, saying “ children receive high levels of care when they emerge from sleep,” and that “infants expressed joy” during their games and activities. ERO went on to say that infants formed meaningful relationships with staff and children, meaning that they are learning emotional and social skills while in care. ERO reports the children playing “cooperatively”.

ERO also reported a high level of trust between parents and staff, with children’s progress carefully documented for parents to see, visiting and talks with staff encouraged. The transition period between home and child care is allowed to take several weeks while both parents, baby and staff settle in, and trust is built up. Children’s individual preferences and choices are respected, and their curiosity encouraged as they develop and participate in learning at their own pace, using “a wide selection of resources” according to ERO.

One Kidicorp teacher, when asked why she chose to work with under-twos, encapsulated the answers to this question of most of the teachers . She said: “ It’s the most amazing experience as you see their incredible development and their learning is so fast and exciting. They join our whanau as an immobile baby and leave us running, talking, dancing. I understand how important the first three years of a child’s life are and want to be part of that positive experience, helping to connect those neurons inside their clever minds, and offering them experiences and opportunities that will be the building blocks of their lives.