Who are Organic Kids?  
 

Organic Kids Ltd is a privately owned early childhood homebased education and childcare service, licensed with the Ministry of Education.  They are based in Christchurch and is run by two passionate early childhood professionals with over 30 years experience in the early childhood sector.

  
     
  What is Homebased Childcare?  
  Homebased Childcare is where children are cared for and educated in the homes of carefully selected Educators.  It is aimed at those who need childcare in an environment that isn’t far away from the environment your child experiences at home.  
     
  What days and hours are you open?  
  I am open Tuesday – Friday, 8am – 6pm.  
     
 

How much will it cost?

  
 

It costs $50.75 per day for up to 7 hours in care, plus $7.25 per hour over that. 

ECE and WINZ subsidies are available to eligible families.

 
     
  Do I pay you directly?  
  Organic Kids Payroll operates a wage processing system so will inform you of the balance due after subsidies have been applied to your account.  Once your payment is received, a payment is then made to me.  
     
  Do I still have to pay if my child is sick or we are on holiday?  
 

If your child does not be attend on a contracted day due to illness or family choice, full payment is required.

A holding fee of half your contracted rate is payable for any pre-arranged extended child absence such as family holiday, term holiday etc

  
     
  How many children do you look after?  
  There are no more than 4 children at any one time, ratios are 1 adult to 4 children and can be made up of 2 children under 2yrs and 2 children over 2 years or 4 children over 2 years old.  
     
 

What happens when you are sick or on holiday?

  
 

Alternative childcare arrangements are organised by the parent/guardian.  We will endeavour to organise emergency care with other approved Educators in the area at short notice, but it pays for parents to have a backup plan in advance.

No payment is due to me if my service is closed.  (FYI - I have had one sick day in the past six years )

  
     
 

How do I know your home is safe?

  
 

Prior to looking after children, my home underwent a thorough safety check to ensure that it is safe and complies with all ECE health and safety regulations.  I am visited on a monthly basis by a qualified ECE teacher to ensure that this criteria is consistently met.  I run my own safety sweeps each morning, looking for changes or new dangers.

  
     
 

What training and experience do you have?

  
  My own children are 21, 20, and 15 - this has given me the best training!  I have a current first aid certificate, have passed my NZQA level 3 certificate in Early Childhood Education and care in record time and have completed For Life NZ's 'Growing in Connection', 'Power of Play' and 'Communication has meaning' training.  I have also attended Brainwave Trust workshops, Te Reo workshops, Healthy Eating workshops as well as other information evening and professional development workshops.  
     
  Are there any regulations that you have to comply with?  
  Organic Kids is licensed in accordance with the Education Act 1989 under the Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008, which prescribe minimum standards that each licensed service must meet. Licensing criteria are used to assess how the services meet the minimum standards required by the regulations.  
     
  What do I need to provide for my child?  
  Bed linen and hand towel, winter hat, summer hat, suncream, gum boots, waterproofs  
     
  What do I send my child with each day?  
 

A packed lunch box with morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and bottles depending on the hours they are with their Educator.
A water bottle
Enough nappies for the duration of each day, plus any creams you are using.  A box of nappies and wipes can be left to save bringing them every day.
A selection of spare clothes for when play and work gets them wet or dirty.

  
     
  How will I know what my child is learning?  
  Evidence is documented daily which is available for you to view and discuss at any time. Learning stories are written regularly using Educa - an online facility for recording a child's leanring. Family contribution on a regular basis is encouraged.  
     
  Doesn't my child have to go to kindy to be ready for school?  
 

Research has shown time and time again that preschool or kindy is not necessary to be “ready for school”. Children learn more through play at this age than structured education. Children do need socialization but in much smaller groups and settings so as not to become overwhelmed. Your child will meet other children at the park or playgroups as well as being with their daycare siblings. Pre-reading and pre-writing skills are learnt through fine motor skill practice such as playdough, manipulation, threading, painting, drawing as well as developing a love of books, stories and songs.  Comprehension of concepts such as over, under, through, louder, quieter need to be experienced with the whole body before they can translate that into more subtle movements and understanding. Pre-maths skills such as measuring, pouring, bigger, smaller can all be learnt with water, sand, blocks as well as body movements.  Self-care skills are also taught as part of the push towards independence for our children.

Being in a smaller, familiar setting allows to child to unfold their full potential rather than squash their delicate emerging personalities.  They are then fully ready to take on ‘big school’ when the time comes.