Parent Info
Thank you for choosing Inspiring Minds as the early education and care centre for your tamariki. The kaiako, staff and management welcome you and your whānau. Over the course of your time with us we will build strong relationships that inspire friendship, partnership and develop a sense of community. We will develop a ‘home away from home’ feeling by creating a small, intimate environment.
Our Hours are 7.30am-5.30pm. Monday-Friday
Fees
Please contact us for our latest fees
FULL DAY : Up to 10 hours per day
SHORT DAY : 9am – 3pm
Toddlers are children who are have moved into the Toddler room.
There is a minimum of 6 enrolled hours per day and a minimum of 2 enrolled days per week.
Fees are paid 52 weeks per year regardless of sickness or holidays, including statutory holidays.
Childcare Subsidy
Work and Income New Zealand operates a subsidy for parents to assist with the payment of fees. This subsidy is income tested. Please contact Work and Income for eligibility and forms.
Clothing
Tamariki will require two or three changes of named clothing throughout the day and because their play is their work their clothing will get dirty.
During the summer months your tamariki will require named sunblock and a hat that can stay at the centre. It will be helpful if you sunblock your tamariki before arriving in the morning. Kaiako will reapply sunblock throughout the day. In winter, tamariki will still be able to go outside as long as they are dressed appropriately. i.e. gumboots and jackets, raincoats.
Settling In
Parents will be welcome any time throughout the day as there is an open door policy in place. We want you to develop a sense of belonging. We welcome ideas and wish to work together to foster positive outcomes for all.
It is going to take time for your tamariki to settle into a new environment and we want to make this as easy as possible for you both. Parents are welcome to stay until they feel comfortable about leaving. Your tamariki may have a special cuddly or toy that will make this transition time easier. There are no rules for settling. Every tamariki and their family/whānau are different but kaiako are very experienced in assisting with separation. All tamariki will have a kaiako nearby for comfort. We have a settling in policy that you can read here.
Meals
Inspiring minds will provide nutritious morning and afternoon tea. Tamariki will need to bring their own lunch boxes. Please ensure tamariki have healthy food in their lunch boxes. Fruit platters for morning tea are preferred and tamariki are encouraged to donate a piece of fruit so that we have a varied supply.
Programme
Te Whāriki is the national early childhood curriculum that guides the practice at Inspiring Minds. Our philosophy is influenced by the practices of Reggio Emilia in Italy whereby the social –emotional environment is intricately related to what the Italians call “the image” of the tamariki, kaiako, parents, and the teaching and learning process. We acknowledge that tamariki come to us with a vast amount of prior knowledge and it is our job to foster and extend on that knowledge through encounters, communication and relationships. The tamariki of Inspiring Minds will be empowered to learn by passionate, dedicated, caring kaiako.
Teachers Qualifications
Kaye Dawson: Certificate of Equivalence to the Diploma of Teaching (ECE)
Justine Dawson: Diploma of Teaching (ECE)
Antonia Ward: Bachelor of Teaching (ECE)
Heather Alley: Bachelor of Teaching (ECE)
Heather Neill: Bachelor of Teaching (ECE)
Jenna Trass: Bachelor of Teaching (ECE)
Meisha Carere-Semb: Diploma of Teaching (ECE)
Teresa Takimoana Everiss: Bachelor of Teaching (ECE)
Sasha Howard: Support Kaiako
Jaclyn Dawson: Manager
Polly Rogerson: Administrator
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about inspiring minds
“Unstructured, open-ended play is where the magic of childhood happens. ” Alana Pace