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Parents are encouraged to visit the Centre with their child before starting at the Centre. When the child begins, parents are encouraged to stay if they can until their child has adjusted and settled. If you are unable to stay, a staff member will be assigned to care for the child. Parents are welcome to call and check that the child has settled. Parents are also advised to talk and explain to their child just why they are leaving them, and they will be picked up. All children will be treated sensitively. The Supervisor will always make sure that the children are monitored as they are settling in.
The Centre operates throughout the year with the exception of public holidays and a Christmas break. The Centre does not observe school holidays. Children must attend regularly to satisfy Ministry of Education requirements. If you child will not be attending the Centre, please phone the Centre 275 5155 before 9.00am. If your child is sick and cannot attend the Centre for more than three (3) days, you must provide a doctors certificate.
Please notify the Supervisor two weeks in advance if your child will be going on holidays. Extended non - attendance will affect our Ministry of Education funding and thereby our ability to provide the usual high standard of care. In accordance with sound educational principles, extended weekends are not encouraged.
It is a Ministry of Education requirement that children are signed in and out each day. Please ensure that this procedure is fulfilled daily.At the end of each day, children are given only to their parents, or to another adult who has permission beforehand, in writing, from the parents.
It would be appreciated if the Centre staff are advised at least two weeks in advance in writing if your child might be taking a holiday.
Before being enrolled all children must be vaccinated against all common childhood diseases.
If for any reason your child is not fully vaccinated, please inform the Supervisor during the enrolment interviewee. You will be required to give reason why your child is not vaccinated. From time to time there may be outbreak of common childhood diseases, such as measles, chicken pox, flu, all of which are contagious.
If you child catches any of these, or they have any infected sores, you are required to keep them home to prevent the risk of other children being infected. Should the Supervisor be not satisfied with the health of any child at the Centre, the parents will be contacted and asked to collect their child immediately.
Parents are expected to supply healthy meals for their child.
The children have meals three times a day:
10.00am Morning Tea
12.00pm Lunch
03.00pm Afternoon Tea
Please provide healthy lunches. That means, no fizzy drinks, no chips, no chocolate etc. Please label you child's lunch box, drink bottles etc. Advice about healthy food for your child is available
The Centre does not provide transport. Parents are to make their own arrangements as to how their child will be transported to and from the Centre.
The Safety of your child and of the other children is a paramount importance. When driving in the grounds, please observe the 10kph speed limit, and please exit the grounds only from the far side of the church. Please observe the No Entry and Accessible Parking signs. Thank you for your co-operation.
Mattresses are provided by the Centre. Parents will need to provide bedding - a requirement of the Ministry of Education. For health reasons, from the first day of attendance, parents are required to supply a sheet, pillow case and blanket for their child. All bedding is returned to parents at the end of each week for washing. Names and labels are required on the bedding items.
Respect for all persons is a basic Christian and human value. All staff are required to educate the children in this regard, particularly by being good role models of respect, courtesy and tolerance. Children are spoken with at eye level, and not spoken down to from above. Negative, inappropriate or unacceptable behavior or language is dealt with promptly and respectfully. Positive reinforcement, direct eye contact and other good, proven, positive principles and practices that encourage good behavior are used by staff. Hugs, smiles, praise and positive family atmosphere all help children to grow in love and understanding.
Parents have a responsibility to ensure the best care for their children, and hence have the right to offer suggestions or to make a complaint regarding matters that they see and think need improvement or are not appropriate for the welfare of the children within the Centre.
A COMPLAINTS AND SUGGESTIONS POLICY is clearly displayed in the Centre and that document has all relevant contact details. Any suggestions or complaint should, in the first instance, be addressed to the Supervisor.
As a licensed childcare centre, we are required by the Ministry of Education to have an approved Charter and Policies for the efficient and professional education of the children. These documents are either on display at the Centre of are available from the Supervisor. You are encouraged to read them.
The Centre is a registered member of the Childcare Association of New Zealand and is a party to the Consenting Parties Early Childhood Collective Agreement.
The first means of liaison with parents occurs daily: staff on duty seeing children off at the end of the day feed back to parents the progress of their child. Efforts are made to ensure new parents are updated on how their child has settled. Appointments may be arranged if parents require more information about their child. When it is deemed necessary and appropriate, specialist will be called in for advice and consolation. Regular parent - teacher meetings are held in order to provide more formal information for parent on their child's education and progress.
Pre-schoolers birthdays are important to them and their families. If you would like to celebrate your child's birthday at the Centre (during Center hours) you are most welcome to arrange a suitable time with the Supervisor.
Consultation between staff and parents of children who are preparing to go to school is part of the Centres curriculum. Children turning four will undergo a special programme specifically designed to help their adjustment to school.
Staff work with principals of schools concerned to ensure a smooth transition for the child; school visits can be arranged.