Kakano

We accept enrolments for children (preferably) between the ages of three months and five years. You must complete an enrolment form to secure your child a place in our Centre. You may be placed on a waiting list if there is no space available at the time of enrolment. Fees are to be paid a week in advance before your enrolment is confirmed. Please take the time to visit Kakano Early Childcare Centre before making your final decision.

Children can often find it challenging to settle into new and unfamiliar environments; this can be distressing for both the parent and child involved, so we ask that you visit as often as possible before your child starts. This reduces anxiety for your child and less disturbance for our other children. You are welcome to stay as long as you wish and discuss any enquiries with management, teaching staff and family members. These visits also allow for familiarity with the teachers, other children and room routines and activities; plus, a great opportunity for parents and whānau to observe a typical day at the Centre. If visits are not possible, please speak with the room’s head teacher or to the Centre Supervisor. Parents should feel free to phone the centre as many times as they wish to see how their child is settling in. Parents should also be aware that it is very common for some children to settle quite easily for the first couple of attendance days and then regress a little, sometimes during the second or third week of attendance. This is no reason for alarm, it is merely an indication that the novelty of the new experience has worn off. This is the time when we encourage parents to stay positive about their child’s time at the Centre and we certainly encourage parents to say goodbye to their children before leaving with the promise that they will come back to pick them up.

Please walk your child into the Centre upon your arrival to ensure their safety.  Parents are required to complete the sign in/out sheet each day they attend.

If someone else will be collecting your child, please phone and let the centre know.  They must be 14 years of age or older.  For your child’s safety, they will not be released to anyone that is not on each child’s emergency contact list without prior permission given by the parent/caregiver.

We also encourage you, the parent or caregiver to make sure that your child attends their enrolled days.  Consistency of attendance is the key to children settling, engaging in the curriculum, having that all important sense of belonging and playing a part in the day-to-day running of the Centre.

The Centre must be notified immediately if there are any changes to your contact details or enrolment details.

Karakia starts each day at 9.00am followed by waiata and before all meals. Children are encouraged to learn Māori waiata and basic Māori phrases.

It is essential that whanau notify the Centre whenever their child will be absent and if possible their expected time of return. This allows the centre to keep accurate records as government funding is dependant upon your child attending regularly. Upon the first week of absence if you fail to contact the centre, you may receive a courtesy phone call. Second week of absence you will receive a Notification of Absence letter and after the third week your child’s enrolment may be cancelled.

If a child sustains a minor accident while at the centre, the child will be attended to by a qualified first aid staff. If, however the child requires medical attention, they will need to be taken as quickly as possible to the family doctor or the nearest medical centre by a staff member and the parents will be notified. Contact will be maintained with the staff member and the child until the parent takes responsibility. All accidents will be recorded in the accident register book.

You will be asked to provide names and telephone numbers of relatives or friends who can be contacted in the event that you cannot be reached in an emergency. You may also choose to nominate another person or persons to collect your child. It is important that you advise the office or head teacher immediately if any of your emergency contact details change.

Children with illnesses, severe colds, severe coughs, rashes, high temperatures, diarrhea, vomiting or infectious diseases of any nature must be kept at home to avoid the spread of infection to other children and staff. The Supervisor may refuse to allow your child to attend the Centre until they have fully recovered. Children whom are sick are cared for until whanau arrive to collect them. If the Head Teacher or Supervisor contacts you because your child is ill, please make arrangements and every effort to collect your child as quickly as possible. Children will be kept in the waiting area until parents collect them. All illnesses are recorded in the illness register.

Our Centre participates in a bi-annual tooth brushing and oral health education programme provided by Mighty Mouth/ARDS who are funded by CMDHB. Our teaching staff is trained by Mighty Mouth to implement a daily tooth brushing programme. Upon enrolment parents would have the option of authorising their child to participate in the programme or not.

When a child is on medication prescribed by a doctor it is essential that the medicine be handed to a member of staff and not left in the child’s bag. You must complete and sign the medicine register authorizing staff to administer the medication specifying time and dosage amount. If this is not completed fully, licencing criteria prevents staff from administering the medicine. Medication is to be taken back home each day.

We have plenty of toys here for everyone to share. We strongly discourage children bringing toys from home unless prior approval has been given by staff or it is a one-time special occasion that calls for children to bring a favourite toy into the Centre.

Kakano Early Childhood Centre believes children need to rest during the day and all children will be given that opportunity. We provide separate sleeping areas for children under and over two years of age who are supervised and physically checked every 5-10 minutes by a staff member. Children who do not require a rest are supervised in another area of the Centre.

Cots are provided by the Centre and all comply with the New Zealand Health and Safety standards. They are easily accessible by staff and are a sufficient distance apart to avoid aerial cross infection. Cots, linen and blankets are allocated to each child and mattresses have a surface that is smooth, easily cleaned and waterproof.

Individual beds linen and blankets will be allocated to each child. This rest time is done similar to a Marae situation. Please let staff know if you would or would not like your child to sleep during the day.

We highly recommend a labelled bag for your child and at least two clearly labelled change of clothes.

Whilst children are in the centre they are provided with cloth nappies. We ask for at least one disposable nappy for your child to go home in each day.

All meals are provided by the centre and a weekly menu plan is available to view in the kitchen area. Please notify us if your child has any food allergies or specific dietary requirements. Parents are asked to bring in formula or milk for their children under two that need bottles.

Please watch for notices, parent/adult training information, health notices, upcoming trips, curriculum programs and income support notices etc.

Four and a half year olds have Lunch Box on Mondays as part of their preparation for primary school. We encourage healthy eating with options like sandwiches, fruit, yoghurt, rice crackers and water.

We believe in role modelling better living habits for our children.  Our children’s health, wellbeing and longevity is paramount to us.  In partnership with the Heart Foundation we promote healthier eating habits; as part of our quest towards this, we ask that if parents wish to celebrate their child’s birthday, they are most welcome to come in and do so.  We provide a fresh fruit cake to celebrate each child’s birthday that lands during the week.

Celebrations at the Centre need to be of food options that are healthier e.g.  fruit, fruit kebabs, vegetables, whole foods with limited processed foods, yoghurt, cheese, rice crackers, sushi, salads and wraps.

Eating healthy food in early childhood has an effect on children’s growth, development and learning. Here at Nga Taonga Aroha Early Childhood Centre we do our best to promote healthier options for our children.

We recognize the importance of providing a variety of experiences such as excursions to stimulate an understanding and awareness of our community. These may include trips to the park, beach or local swimming pool. A newsletter will be distributed to families if the centre plans a trip. A small fee may be requested to assist with the costs incurred at some venues.

All staff employed at the centre are passionate and committed to the well being of every child and possess the knowledge and skills essential for children in their care.

Monthly newsletters will keep you informed of what’s happening in the centre such as upcoming trips, new equipment, birthdays, reminders and loads more. Check out our notice boards for photos, artwork and centre planning which is updated weekly.

The centre policies, procedures and ERO report are available upon request and we strongly recommend that you read these.

When a child is enrolled we would like you to sign up for STORYPARK. This is online portfolio for children. This allows teachers, parents and wider family to engage and contribute positively towards a child’s learning through online documentation.

The centre operates: Monday to Friday 7.30am- 5.30pm

Centre provides cloth nappies for children to be used during the day. Please provide two to three disposable nappies for your child (to be used for home time), as well as wet wipes for regular use each day. Remember to label both items.