Ahhh its school holidays again…. Time to lax back and enjoy a foot spa and massage.

When I arrived this morning at Educare, Aiden asked for a foot spa. He helped me set up the silver bowls on a towel and collect the chairs. He sat down took off his shoes and waited for me to get the warm soapy water that was scented with lavender. This was poured over his feet and he relaxed while waiting for the children to arrive.

TeAwamaurangi, Maarearea, Ohomauri, Suzanne and Kathy were the first to arrive, Teawa, was fast to take off her gumboots and socks before sitting down next to Aiden with her pant legs rolled up, warm water was poured into her bowl and she sank down into her chair and relaxed. I dried off Aiden’s feet when he told me he had finished and I massaged his feet. Aiden put his shoes on and was off to explore the centre. Stephanie was next to join TeAwa and soaked her feet in her own bowl of fresh warm, soapy, smelly water.  TeAwa did not want a massage from me. She asked Zara-Kaye to massage her feet, so Zara-Kaye gently massaged her feet for her and put her socks and gumboots back on. Our morning progressed with Suzanne, followed by Maarearea, Kathy, Ohomauri, Janae and Maumahara all having a foot spa and massage. It was a lovely care moment to start off a very busy day. Still no one was willing to give my feet a massage. One day I will convince someone.

The under twos went on a walk along the Westshore walkway. This is a monthly walk we are go on with the under twos which is organised by Sport Hawkes Bay and PORSE.
Regular excursions are part of the Educare Program for both under twos and the Kindergarten children. We believe it is important for physical, social and cognitive development as excursions expose children to new experiences that they would not necessarily get being within the centre full time. The more experiences a child is exposed to means more knowledge about themselves and the wider world.
Our Kindergarten children, weather permitting, go on a walk to the Flaxmere Library every Thursday. This is a chance for them to participate in a group time with other children from the community organised by the Libraian. It is also a way for us to support the Flaxmere Library and ensure this important community resource continues. The kindergarten children  are in the process of  starting another weekly excursion to Te Aranga-O-Heretaunga Marae community gardens on a Monday, six of our children each week will head on down in the van and help out at the gardens, giving them a chance to learn about the environment, sustainability and recycling. We also participate in other exciting excursions throughout the year which we base around the childrens interests at the time. So far this year off memory we have been to the Hastings firestation, Napier Aquarium, Napier Municiple theature to see a stage show among other small trips.
Ka Kite and keep warm.
Leigh.