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What to look for in an ECE centre

QUESTIONS TO ASK

When it comes to selecting the best quality childcare for your child, it’s best to look beyond the bright colours and the free T-shirts. Sometimes these gimmicks mask lower quality education. How can one assess the quality of an ECE school? Simply visit the centre in person and see for yourself. Then ask these 15 questions. Make sure you get honest, non-jargon answers.

1. What are your teacher:child ratios? The lower, the better, ideally below 1:10. 2. How many qualified teachers do you have?

Look for a high percentage, at least 80%, preferably higher. Remember, not all teachers are qualified. 3. What is your staff turnover? How long have your teams been established? The longer, the better.

Children form strong relationships with teachers, so a high staff turnover is disruptive and indicates that there may be problems in the centre. 4. Does your centre offer primary caregiving?

Young children naturally create stronger relationships with one or two caregivers who can concentrate on learning your child’s cues. Once secure with their primary carer, they will feel safe learning in their new environment. 5. Can you explain what this looks like at your centre?

The centre should be able to explain how this works in their setting. 6. What is the group size of your rooms? The smaller, the better. Typically for ages 0-2, a group of under 15 is recommended. Older children can flourish in larger groups. 7. What routines will my child be engaged in?

Routines are important for a child’s development, as are periods of free play. 8. How many transitions will my child have in your centre? Look to see how many times your child will need to change rooms and teachers. Such changes can be disruptive for the child. 9. Do you provide food, and can I see your menus?

A variety of healthy food prepared on the premises is best. All dietary requirements should be catered for. 10. Does this centre fit with my parenting style?

All centres operate differently and have differing philosophies. Talk to the teachers about their philosophy and practices to see if they align with the values you hold as a parent. 11. Can I share my aspirations for my child? Ask if there are ways that you can contribute your aspirations to the centre programme – ideally teachers will follow your child’s interests and meet your expectations regarding their care and learning. 12. How will I find out about my child’s learning?

Ask how the centre shares children’s learning, they may have portfolios, online learning platforms, regular parent events etc. 13. What do I do if my child is unwell? What are your illness policies? Ask to see clear policies around illness, including Covid. 14. What do I need to provide (e.g. nappies, formula, drink bottle etc.)? Convenience needs to be balanced against your child’s personal preferences. 15. Where and how will my child sleep? How will they be put to sleep? Can I bring in comforters for them? It’s important that children feel well supported at rest time – ideally, they can have something from home as a transition item to help them settle.

EDUCATION

Local schools deliver deliver

Good schools are usually one of the first things considered when moving into a new district, and east Auckland has no shortage of them. Howick Ward has many fine schools on offer and, in most cases, children attend the school closest to them. However, they can attend any state school, which do not have an enrolment scheme.

Where there is an enrolment scheme, home zone children are taken first. If more places are available, candidates are usually chosen via a ballot system. When considering a school, it’s important to check its distance from home or perhaps to your work place.

Find out if the route is safe to walk or whether children take a school bus or public transport. Ask about uniforms, the cost of fees and donations and, if needed, whether there is an after-school programme nearby.

ACORN MEADOWS

EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE

“What Mighty Things from Tiny Acorns Grow”

7.00am-6.00pm All meals included Home away from home Privately owned 35 children maximum Excellent ratio’s WINZ approved

45 Cascades Road, Pakuranga Ph: 577 3127

info@acornmeadows.co.nz | www.acornmeadows.co.nz

ST ANDREW’S CHILTON KINDERGARTEN

Quality Christian Care and Education Quali ed Teachers Fun, loving, nurturing environment Large, welcoming kindergarten Exciting playground 20 Free ECE hours available for children 3-5 years

CALL US ON 537 2282 OR POP IN FOR A VISIT

11 Vincent St, Howick. Phone 537 2282. www.chiltonkindy.co.nz kindyhowpres@xtra.co.nz www.facebook.com/standrews.chilton

Need nurturing childcare or rewarding work?

We’d love to chat to you today!

Please contact Stephany on 0800 78 33 78 or stephany@ stemsfromhome.co.nz

www.stemsfromhome.co.nz

CP3366

OPEN DAY Wednesdays 9am – 12pm

PAKURANGA MONTESSORI LEARNING CENTRE

• Fun, nurturing, Montessori inspired

learning environment

• NZ qualified and experienced Teachers • Open Hours: Full year,

Monday to Friday 7.30am-5.30pm

• Specially designed programme to cater

for varied learning needs

• Full time (2 & over) and sessions

(2-3yrs old only) for 2-6yr olds

• Morning tea, afternoon tea and late

afternoon snack provided

• 20 hour ECE subsidy available

71 Udys Road, Pakuranga (behind St Peter’s Anglican Church) Phone: 09 213 1866 - 021 710 065 Email: pmontessori2014@gmail.com

* Pakuranga Montessori Learning Centre reserves the right to clarify the contents of this advertisement

Where Children and Learning Matter

Learning To Be Confident, Self Managing, Resilient. Learning To Learn Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Creativity. Learning To Live Together Relating To Others, Participating and Contributing, Celebrating Successes Tikanga Maori And Cultural Diversity Children at Macleans Primary School come from a diverse range of cultural backgrounds, representing up to thirty cultures in any one year.

Macleans Primary School. Ph: 534 5191 10 Wycherley Drive, Bucklands Beach, Auckland 2014 macleansprimary.school.nz

School terms

PRIMARY, INTERMEDIATE & SECONDARY SCHOOLS 2022

Term One: Monday, Jan 31 (earliest) – Tuesday, Feb 8 (latest) – Thursday, April 14 Term Two: Monday, May 2 – Friday, July 8 Term Three: Monday, July 25 – Friday, September 30 Term Four: Monday, October 17 – no later than Tuesday, December 20* Term One 2023: Monday, Jan 30 (earliest) – Tuesday, Feb 7 (latest) – Thursday, April 6

*Or to a day in December that ensures that the school has been open for instruction for a minimum of 384 half-days in 2022.

Pakuranga Intermediate School “I AM TOMORROW”

Inspiring personal excellence and growth through:

• Quality education in a warm and caring environment • Differentiated programmes that support and extend all learners • Learning leveraged through a Board supplemented BYOD programme • Passionate staff • Specialties in: coding, science, robotics, education for sustainability, art, PE, languages, music, biotech and health

43-47 Reeves Rd, Pakuranga 09 576 186 offi ce@pakurangaint.school.nz www.pakurangaint.school.nz

Farm Cove Intermediate School

Using innovative learning environments to enable students to develop 21st Century skills:

➢ Specialist programmes – visual arts, science, performing arts, food technology, hard materials, multimedia and design technology and

Te Whare Ako. ➢ Highly effective programmes supported by digital technology. ➢ Emphasis on mathematics and literacy including enrichment and extension classes. ➢ Wide variety of sporting and cultural activities. ➢ Staff committed to quality teaching and learning. ➢ Holistic approach to students’ wellbeing development. ➢ Emphasis on student agency. ➢ Signature to Code of Practice with a highly regarded international student programme.

Principal: Tamara Jones, PhD, 16 Butley Drive, Pakuranga, Auckland 2021 09 577 0009 | enquiries@farmcove.school.nz | www.farmcove.school.nz

Where there is passion in learning, there is greater moti vati on to succeed. Our curriculum provides every student with many opportuniti es to engage, learn, grow, and achieve.

• Exci� ng learning pathways cater for all students’ abili� es and future needs.

• The Innova� on Stream prepares our students to be cri� cal thinkers and problem solvers for a rapidly changing modern world. • Our Sport in Educa� on pathway engages and supports passionate spor� ng students in their academic and sports ambi� ons. 25 Sandspit Road, Cockle Bay, Auckland Phone: (09) 534 4492 Email: reception@howick.school.nz www.howickcollege.co.nz