What childcare and early childhood education options are there for my child?
What does home-based care mean?
What is Te Whariki?
What’s the difference between a kindergarten and other teacher-led early childhood programmes?
What is a playcentre?
What is a language nest?
What is pre-school?
Where can I find information to help me choose the right pre-school or kindergarten for my child?
I use cloth nappies on my child and want the day-care to do the same, but they insist that we should supply them with disposables instead. What are my rights?
What childcare and early childhood education options are there for my child?
In New Zealand, there is a range of different early childcare and education (ECE) services. You can choose between options that are at your home, based at someone else’s home or at a professional venue. You can also choose between options that are led by parents, or led by teachers. A teacher-led service is one where the children’s activities and education is organised by a teacher with an early childhood education degree, instead of a group of parents. You can read about the various types of child care elsewhere on this page.
If you simply need someone to mind your child then baby-sitters are an option. This can often be an expensive option and will not necessarily provide for your child’s education.
Your local Citizens Advice Bureau can help you find providers of childcare and early childhood education services in your region.
What does home-based care mean?
Home-based care means your child is looked after either in your own home or at the home of your child’s carer. Home based care can be an informal arrangement, for instance the care is provided by a family member for free, or it can be where a trained childcare professional looks after your child for a fee.
Professional home-based care (i.e. not the informal arrangement) tends to fall into two types:
- Nannies - A nanny will care for your child in your home while following your normal household routine, and may also cook meals and do some housework. It can be the most flexible option, but also tends to be the most expensive. If you choose to use a nanny service, make sure you are clear on exactly which services are being provided.
- In-home carers - The carer looks after your child in the carer’s own home. Normally the carer will be responsible for no more than four children at a time (which may include the carer’s own children).
Most organisations which provide home-based care have their nannies’ and carers’ police records checked before they will take them on, and they usually require them to have specific training, qualifications and skills. They also tend to provide their people ongoing support, training and resources.
Some home-based care options have an emphasis on learning, for example those that work under the framework of Te Whariki (see below).
What is Te Whariki?
Te Whariki is the Ministry of Education’s early childhood education (ECE) curriculum. Te Whariki provides a programme that is broadly based and focuses on a child’s interests in learning. It provides resources and links for mathematics, science, the arts, health, physical education and language. For more information on Te Whariki visit the Ministry of Education’s website.
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What’s the difference between a kindergarten and other teacher-led early childhood programmes?
Kindergartens are teacher-led education and care centres which belong to a kindergarten association. Kindergartens aim to prepare your child for school, and are usually for children between the ages of 3 and 5 years old (though some accept children as young as 2).
Kindergartens and most day care centres which cater for the 2-5 age group work within the Te Whariki framework.
There are other early childhood programmes designed for children from the age of about 2 ½ to 5 or 6. They’re normally privately run, and may be part of a school. The programmes usually focus on a particular educational approach or theory, such as Montessori or Rudolf Steiner.
The hours that are offered in kindergarten and other pre-school programmes vary from place to place - some are open just a few hours a day, some run morning and afternoon sessions for different age groups, while others are open for the whole day.
What is a playcentre?
Playcentres are parent co-operatives. This means that parents are involved in helping organise and supervise the sessions. Playcentres take children from birth until the age of five. The Playcentre website answers questions about playcentres and can help you locate your nearest playcentre.
What is a language nest?
Language nests provide early childhood education and care based on a culture or language. Examples include Pacific Island language groups and Kohanga Reo. Language nests are located around the country, and depending on the type you want, you can find one on our website by searching the term ‘language nest’ and the particular language you would like, for example ‘Tongan language nest’.
What is pre-school?
In New Zealand, the term pre-school is used very generally to talk about any early childhood education programmes for children under primary school age (i.e. 5 years old).
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Where can I find information to help me choose the right Early Childhood Education provider for my child?
The Education Review Office (ERO)
The Education Review Office (ERO) is a government department that reviews and reports on the education and care of students in schools, early childhood services and other education providers.
ERO publishes education reviews which contain information you can use to help you pick the early childhood service you want for your child. Early childhood education providers are reviewed, on average, three times a year. The reviews evaluate
- the safety of children
- learning programmes
- the performance of management
You can get these reports by contacting the ERO – either by looking under E in the Blue Pages in your phone book, or by visiting their website.
The Ministry of Education website
The Ministry of Education website has information on schools around New Zealand. In the case of early childhood education providers, it covers
- the curriculum (what they teach)
- qualifications
- the strategic plan for early childhood education
- resources
- funding
Contact the early childhood education (ECE) provider directly
The contact details of early childhood education providers are in the telephone directory, or you can find them by searching online. Most early childhood education providers will have their own website, or will have information on the website of their parent organisation (the larger organisation or network they are a part of).
Generally, you can ask for an information pack about a provider once you get in touch with them. If you want to speak to someone about any queries or uncertainties you have about the early childhood education provider, you should make an appointment with them. You could ask about
- behaviour policies
- extra support available
- what facilities there are for children with special needs
- the strengths of the early childhood education provider
- the strengths of the teachers
You could also have a look around the premises to get a feel for it, and talk to other parents of the school to see how they find it.
Other ways to get information
The Education Review Office (ERO), Kiwi Families and Ministry of Education all have guides to finding the right early childhood education service for your child.
I use cloth nappies on my child and want the day-care centre to do the same, but they insist that we should supply them with disposables instead. What are my rights?
You could try to arrange a meeting so you can go and talk the issue through properly. There may be a solution or compromise that meets your needs and those of the centre. For example, if they agree to change your baby’s cloth nappies, you will provide a suitable bag for them to put the dirty nappies in, which you would then wash at home. If this issue is important to you then make sure you discuss it with the centre before you enrol your child.