We ask that children visit the Centre prior to attending. We ensure that at least one staff member greets the child and creates a relationship with the family. Detailed discussions on the child’s development, behaviour, sleeping and eating requirements are held upon enrolment.

Parents are encouraged to stay with their child to settle them into the Centre, and to demonstrate that they feel happy and comfortable with their new environment. Prior to starting, Tiny Tuis offer a home visit service, whereby one of your child's teachers visits you at home. This helps establish the three way relationship between the parent, the child and the teacher. It also greatly assists in the settling period. Children are welcome to bring their own (named) ‘cuddly’ or blanket or special toy from home.

We enjoy visits from grandparents, younger and older brothers and sisters, once your child has settled.

We operate an open door policy, where parents and family are welcome into the Centre at any time. Parent participation sends strong positive messages to your child that you support them and are part of the child care environment.

The staff sincerely wishes for you and your child to be happy and feel welcomed at our Centre. Be aware that a three-way relationship between parents, caregivers and the child exists in this setting. Communication is a vital ingredient to the success of this partnership.

Tiny Tuis has a Parent Liaison Group (PLG) which consists of a parent representative from each room at Tiny Tuis. The PLG meets every two months with the Centre Manager and one of the Tiny Tuis Educators and assists with planning Centre Events (Christmas party, Fish and Chips nights etc). Whilst we encourage parents to approach team members if they have any concerns, the PLG provides another point of contact if parents have a concern that they do not feel comfortable approaching staff about.

Please refer to the Fees Schedule that is attached to your child’s enrolment form, or click here to download. Invoices are issued fortnightly and all payments should be handed to the Administrator or Manager with the remittance slip. For the smooth running of the Centre, it is very important that your fees are kept at least one week in advance. All overdue fees will be sent to a debt collection agency and the parents will be responsible for all fees charged by this agency.

20 Hours

Our centre offers the 20 hours subsidy which is provided by the Ministry of Education to all 3 and 4 year old children. To be eligible you must complete an Attestation form which confirms your attendance and that you are not attending another early childhood centre at the same time as you have applied for funding at our centre. If you change your enrolment hours you must complete another form.

You may apply for this subsidy from more than one centre, but you must indicate this on your form. You may apply for the 20 hours subsidy and receive money from Work and Income, but we recommend that you discuss this with your case worker.

Childcare Subsidy

Work and Income operates a subsidy for parents whose children attend the Centres. The subsidy is subject to an income qualification. Contact Work and Income for further information and forms. Full payment of fees is the caregiver’s responsibility and will be required until a subsidy has been approved.

Our Center provides child-centred developmental programmes. The programming is based on observing children on a regular basis, evaluating their needs and planning activities from these observations. We aim to develop programmes to meet the children’s needs and therefore enhance individual development. Each child will be guided to develop at an individual pace according their unique, individual way. Programmes are evaluated on a regular basis and are founded on the guiding principles of Te Whaariki, the early childhood curriculum of New Zealand.

Our practices reflect the multicultural heritage of our community, and emphasise non-gender stereotyped behaviour. We recognise that early childhood education facilitates the development of confidence, independence, and an interest in learning for our children. Indoor and outdoor experiences are an integral part of our programme and routine. Play is central to children’s development by providing opportunities for both structured and spontaneous activities. Play is a child’s unique way to learn about their world. It is also a means of expressing knowledge from previous experience. We aim to provide opportunities for children to play freely regardless of any stereotype roles they may choose. Routines give children a sense of the passage of time as they move through the day. Routines encourage independence and an understanding of personal hygiene.

We endeavour to provide an atmosphere that is warm, accepting and welcoming to both children and their families. Our emphasis on maintaining a home like environment means that although over two year old children and under two year old children have their own areas that allow the programme to be tailored to the appropriate development levels, children may make visits to other areas with their caregivers.

Safety

Centre policies on safety precautions are continually reinforced by staff and children. Such practices include:

The storage of chemicals in locked cupboards; checking the safety of sandpits and outdoor equipment; children’s awareness of personal safety, i.e. not throwing equipment; walking inside.

There is always someone trained in first aid on site. First aid certificates are renewed every two years.

Child health

We ask that any child who is unwell be kept at home so illness does not spread through the Centre. The Manager may at their discretion refuse to accept any child deemed unwell enough to attend the Centre, as we do not have the specialist staff or the space for sick children. Children with severe coughs or colds, vomiting, diarrhoea, conjunctivitis, rashes or raised temperatures cannot be brought into the Centre. If symptoms develop during the day the parent will be contacted to arrange for the immediate collection of their child.

Medication

Please advise the staff if your child is taking any medication. All medicines must be kept in the kitchen and the medicine book, that is kept beside the sign in sheet, must be filled in before we can administer any medication. Only medication that has a label stating your child’s name and expiry date will be administered. If on antibiotics children are required to stay at home for 24 hours after their first dose. This ensures that the medication has time to work and allows for important rest time for the child.

The Centre keeps a first aid kit, which includes some non-prescription and homeopathic medications for emergencies. Please advise the Manager or your child's teacher if you would prefer these were not given to your child.

Immunisation

We are required to keep an up-to-date list of all children at the Centre and their immunisation status. Please remember to bring your Well Child Book and a copy of your immunisation certificate with you when you enrol your child at the Centre. If you child is not immunised a letter confirming this needs to be attached to your enrolment form. In the case of an outbreak of such a disease your child will be asked to stay away from the Centre for the duration of the outbreak.

View ERO Report here.

In our last Education Review we were well-placed in ensuring that we promote positive learning outcomes for children. The Education Review Office found that children are supported to be confident, independent explorers with a strong sense of belonging. They know teacher expectations, have a positive attitude to learning and relate well to others. They have fun as they learn through play.

Teachers know the children well. They listen carefully and encourage them to share ideas. Teachers skilfully foster children’s oral language development and affirm children using their home languages. Teachers provide good opportunities for children to develop their physical skills and join in group activities. Literacy, mathematics and science concepts are integrated through spontaneous play and planned activities.