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Our Programmes

Manawatu, EST July 2023

First Steps Programme

  • Readiness for School activities
  • Special help for special children in any or all of the following:
  • Emotional Regulation
    Ability to engage in all types of learning
  • Arousal & Attention
    Accessing play using hands
  • Communication
    Understanding language and developing ways to communicate – Pre-verbal – ACC – Speech
  • Building Relationships
    Solitary play moving to co-operative play, sharing and caring
  • Conceptual Learning
    Spatial awareness, pre-writing, pre-reading and pre-numeracy skills
  • Selfcare Skills
    Dressing, toileting, meal times and bath times
  • Recreational Activities
    Music, art, swinging, swimming and riding trikes

We support our Explorers

(children 6 – 16 years)

Our explorers are supported to gain all the skills they need to engage in occupations at home, school and the community = Functional Living Skills programmes

As children grow and develop they require different supports at home, in school and in recreational activities.

Little Stars provides:

  • Learning programmes to help children/young people gain specific skills needed for targeted activities
  • Adaptation ideas for activities to make them more accessible
  • Specialist equipment and resources as required 
  • Group activities to facilitate communication, sharing, caring, healthy competition with similarly able peers, and fun

Transitioning to Adult Life

Currently we have a limited capacity to provide assessments for 16-18+ year olds.

This includes:

  • Review of their functional life skills as they move towards post-school life as
    young adults
  • Providing some specialist support for access to activities such as music, art,
    cookery and gardening

Little Stars is part of the Planet Ryan Foundation which is developing post-school
supported activities and supported living for young adults.

Our Transitioning programme can help young people progress on to supports from
Planet Ryan in the future.


Our Development Plans

Holiday programmes run in all the school holiday periods

Current 

  • January 2026 – three successful weeks completed
  • Easter and July breaks being planned

Watch this space, check on Facebook or contact us for further details.

More support for children in school

We have funding secured to start a pilot project to support a local primary school with a number of children who have special needs.

Watch this space for more details.

Contact

Children with sensory, physical, and learning challenges are supported to reach their fullest potential in life.

Office

622 Tremaine Avenue,
Palmerston North

Alternative Contact

Pip Cook
0272858882