Patricia
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Patricia?
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About Me
My name is Patricia and I am a mum of 3 children; Jack, Isabella and Theo. My husband Lance and I have lived in the UK and Zimbabwe, and we moved our family to Christchurch in 2019. In all three countries I have worked in education and have experience working with children from a year old and to 18 years old, as a teacher, tutor and home-based ECE provider. Working with children is so rewarding and I love the excitement small children share as they learn new skills.
I’ve been a stay at home Mum, since Theo was born. After Isabella was born while we lived in Zimbabwe I was a home-based educator for a couple of my friends’ children as they returned to work. These were a wonderful few years, allowing me to be home with my children and provide a home from home for these precious children. Later when all the children started more formal education, I returned to teaching. Now with Theo at home, moving into a home educator position feels like a natural step to take. I adore playing with children and watching them explore and discover at their pace while they take the lead in their own learning journey. I believe that children learn through play, in their own time and space. I aim to provide a nurturing, loving, safe and fun environment that will enable the children in my care to grow into confident learners.
Our Time Together
One of my favourite things to do with children is to share books. We will visit the library for story times and to choose books to share, walk along the river, look for fairy doors in the Ernle Clarke Reserve, visit local playgrounds, and possibly go to Mainly Music sessions. And with a bus stop right outside the house there is the potential for taking the bus as an activity should parents be happy with such an excursion. We will also make use of some of the planned Stems from Home activities that are on offer. Creative activities, water and sand play are some of the activities we will do regularly. Watching the ducklings in the Opawaho River across from my home grow with the seasons is an activity my family enjoy and I am sure other tamariki will as well.
Stems FROM HOME Programme
Stems FROM HOME run a varied weekly programme that all of our Educators, tamariki and whānau are welcome to attend. This includes;
Playgroup in Izone at our Stems base, Little Explorers (outdoor experiences and outings) and Music and Movement group in winter terms. Our Playgroup sessions include regular arts and crafts, imaginary play, chances to explore individual interests, as well as other fun visitors depending on current interests. All information is shared in our term flyers and planned from the children’s burgeoning interests.
House Keeping
* First Aid/Civil Defence Kit * Cot/bed * Highchair * Car seats
* Personal linen and hand towels
* A quiet home environment, in which children are able to have really good naps (if needed). If your child has a dummy or security object for sleep time, please send these inside their bag.
* Programme planning and monthly learning stories about your child’s individual learning and development, by using Educa (online portfolios).
* A change of clothes as we like to fully experience everything we do!
* A hat and sunblock in summertime. Please apply sun block to your child in the morning and I will reapply during the day.
* Gumboots and a raincoat for the rainy months
* Sufficient nappies, wipes/cream, bibs, and feeding bottles
* A healthy packed lunchbox and a water bottle
Please remember to bring along your child’s Stems Journal. These
are a useful communication tool for sharing daily entries about your
child’s day, care routines, happenings and up-coming events).
