The Pre School NZ Blog

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As a parent choosing an early childhood childcare centre can be a daunting experience. This is a decision charged with the sensitive  emotions of letting another person take care of your little one. I feel this is a decision that no parent should take lightly. Two key components to consider, safe and supportive childcare, and an effective education program  for these crucial early years of childhood development. So what are the key features we need to review in order to pick the perfect early childhood service for your little one.

1)List your requirements for both you and your child.

Things to consider are:

• Amount of childcare required per week. Is this mornings, three times a week, full days if you are working.
• Your budget.
• Do you desire childcare or preschool facilities?
• Do you want care at home or at a centre?

2)Location.

This is an obvious one and helps to narrow down your search very quickly. As busy parents there are obvious benefits to having a centre minutes away. Another  advantage is the fact that your child will make friends that they can continue with through the local primary and secondary schools. A point to note here is that unlike schools Early childhood education services are not zoned.

3)    Get out and start chatting to your local community.

I believe an early childhood service’s reputation stems from its community, the forefront being the parents and their children. Chatting to friends, fellow parents at coffee groups, plunket,  neighbours etc will provide you with a grassroots feel of what your local early childhood services are like.

4)Your budget.

What are the centre’s fees. Remember to find out whether the centre provides 20 Hours ECE funding. I will write an article to demystify this government grant.

5)Amount of childcare required per week.

You need to consider if a centre provides  sessional or all-day care. What are the centre’s session times, and whether they provide before and after session care. Is  the centre open during the  school holidays.

6)The children to teacher ratio.

The number of children a centre is licensed for. This will give you the maximum number of little ones that will be cared for within a session. Then compare this to the children to teacher ratio.

7)ERO report .

Have a look at the centre’s ERO report. The Education Review Office (ERO) is a government department whose purpose is to evaluate and report publicly on the education and care of students in schools and early childhood services.

8)Visit.

Finally, call the centre and arrange for an appointment for both you and your little one to visit the centre.  This is where your little one gets to have their say in the decision making process. Things to look for here are:

• The philosophy of the centre.
• Quality of indoor and outdoor equipment.
• How happy are the children and the teachers.
• Do they provide lunch, extra- curricular activities etc.

Good luck and best wishes.

Michael Lee-Houtwipper