Families and Whānau at McKenzie Centre, Update 23 March 2020
Dear Families/whanau and friends,
In accordance with the Government's Alert Level Direction, McKenzie Centre is now closed for sessions.
Our staff will still be working remotely and children and families will continue to be supported. Your Key Workers will be in touch with you about how this will occur during the Lock Down Period. This could be by phone, or a face time method. If you have not been in contact with your Key Worker, contact them so that this is in place. During any period of self-isolation, your Key Worker can support you and help you to continue to move forward with your child and family goals. Staff will be working differently, but they will be working.
None of us has ever experienced this type of challenging situation before, so please let us help if you require support.
If you are a member of Families Empowering Families, we use this Facebook page as a way of parents supporting other parents with strengths based ideas and tips, so do request to join.
Thank you for your understanding and we all look forward to the time when this pandemic has moved on and we have emerged with our health and well-being restored.
Please take care and be kind to each other as we all adjust to this new development. We look forward to seeing everyone once the Lock Down Period has finished.
Kia kaha
Trisha and the team at McKenzie Centre
Have a look at our wonderful video about McKenzie Centre and what we do. Thanks to everyone who contributed. Feel free to share and help spread the word about us.
http://www.facebook.com/McKenzieCentreTrust?ref=hl
At McKenzie Centre, we provide specialist Early Intervention for pre-school children who have special needs, and their families, throughout the greater Hamilton area. We are also a licensed Early Childhood Centre.
Why is Early Intervention important?
Young children learn and develop differently. One child may talk earlier than others. Another child might walk later. Often, these differences will even out over time. But some children will need extra support.
You may see signs which indicate your child might need extra support. If you suspect your child does have a delay, the earlier you get help, the better, and Early Intervention can make a difference.
WHO SHOULD BE REFERRED FOR EARLY INTERVENTION?
Any child aged from birth to school age who has a physical or learning developmental delay or is behind in at least two areas of development such as:
● Physical – includes vision and hearing, gross or fine motor skills.
● Cognitive – play skills, attention, memory, problem solving, sorting skills and visual perception.
● Communication – how the child understands what is said and how the child uses sounds, words or gestures to let others know what he/she wants.
● Social/Emotional – the child's ability to interact, respond and engage in social situations.
● Self Help – including feeding, toileting and dressing skills.
We have specific expertise with children who have conditions such as:
Spina Bifida
ASD -Autism Spectrum Disorder
Cerebral Palsy - including Hemiplegia
Arthrogryposis
Chromosomal Syndromes - e.g. Down Syndrome, Cri du Chat, Soto
Visual Impairment
Global Developmental Delay - GDD
Head Injuries and Acquired brain disorders
Dyspraxia
Perceptual disorders
Balance and coordination difficulties
Mission Statement - 2010
We help children under six with special needs to realise their potential by providing an early intervention service that is child-centred, play- based and family focused
VALUES
Care
Respect
Partnership
On Sunday June 24th 2012 Trisha Benge, our Centre Director, Helen Gempton, our Business Manager and a couple of parents were interviewed on Radio NZ's One in Five programme. The link to hear the 23 minute show is www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/oneinfive and click on interview from 24 June 2012.
Please be vigilant when entering or reversing out of the car park area, as it can be very hard to spot little people there. Thank you!