Windsor Montessori Policies

Physical Education Policy V4

References:
Licensing Criteria:  C103; C109.
Te Whāriki:
Mana Atua/Well-being – Goal 1: Tamariki/children experience an environment where their health is
promoted.
Statement of Intent:
Windsor Montessori recognises the importance of physical activity for tamariki. Implementation of
appropriate physical activity practices promote the health and development of tamariki in our care, as
well as assisting in establishing positive lifestyle habits for the future.
Purpose:
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all tamariki are supported and encouraged to engage in
active play. We will promote physical activity by providing and integrating a variety of fun and
engaging physical learning experiences as part of our curriculum.
Our Aim:
We aim to ensure that all tamariki have outside time throughout their day, as weather permits, to support the
enhancement of their gross motor skills, co-ordination, balance and body awareness. This also gives
tamariki opportunities to socialise freely and use their imagination and be initiative. Fun and
enjoyment will be at the core of all physical activities, where tamariki will be encouraged to give
everything a ‘go’.
Strategies:
Kaiako will actively promote the learning goals of Te Whāriki related to physical education:
● Kaiako will routinely identify opportunities to engage tamariki by educating and promoting appropriate physical activity skills and active play.
● Kaiako will be mindful of opportunities where they can role model a sense of fun, risk-taking
and gaining a sense of achievement.
● Kaiako will place high priority on deepening their subject knowledge and thereby their
confidence in relation to the range of sensory and motor skills that are beneficial for tamariki to
learn and practice.
● Kaiako will research and get involved in opportunities for professional development that
promotes physical activity for young tamariki.
● Kaiako understand the value of being both intentional and spontaneous in their teaching.
● Kaiako ensure all tamariki participate regardless of their level of their ability.
● Kaiako provide tamariki with the language to describe their movement so that physical learning
also becomes conceptual and social.
● Kaiako find ways to share with parents/whānau/caregivers the value of learning to move and moving to learn.
● Kaiako are intentional in designing a curriculum that supports and promotes a wide range of
physical activity.
● Kaiako will encourage all tamariki to try new activities and will celebrate with them when they participate at any skill level.
● Kaiako will focus on self-challenges to develop dispositions that will encourage perseverance, courage, creativity, focus, problem solving, and critical thinking.
● Kaiako will give tamariki time and opportunities to develop mature, fundamental movement skills including:

• locomotor skills, such as running, jumping, and hopping;

• object control skills, such as throwing, catching, and kicking;

• stability skills, such as stretching, bending, twisting, and rolling.

● Kaiako will adopt a participatory approach, emphasising fun and participation rather than competition.
● Kaiako will ensure inclusive practices for all tamariki including those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as those with special needs
● Kaiako will make visible tamariki learning through individual and group learning stories.
● The learning environment will allow space and equipment which follows tamariki interests and promotes free and challenging physical experiences, both indoors and out.
● Funds will be set aside to purchase new outdoor equipment and resources on an ongoing basis.
● Kaiako will ensure that the outdoor learning environment is a safe place for tamariki at all times.
● Kaiako will ensure that all parts of the outdoor area are under constant supervision and that all tamariki are in the sight of at least one kaiako at all times.
● Both indoor and outdoor environments will be checked daily for safety purposes.
● There is no screentime available to tamariki at the preschool. Kaiako will only use technology for educational purposes with tamariki and this will be supervised at all times. This will be kept to a minimum.

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Date: February 2025

Next review date: February 2027

Version 4