Kindergarten / Childcare from what age?

[PJT]

Hi guys,

we are about to arrive in NZ. I have just read something that worries me a bit.
According to a couple of websites you may only send your child to Kindergarten from the age of 3. Is this true?

Our little man has been to Kindergarten for a long time now and he loves it. He is now 2 years old and he gets really sad when he can't go due to sickness or the occasional appointment we have to attend together.

Don't NZ parents send their children to daycare before the age of 3?
We both need to get to work pretty soon after we settle in and this might become a problem.


Thank you for your help,

Patrick

[Georgebulldog]

There's plenty of childcare for under 3 but you just have to pay, from age 3 you get 20 free hours, I'll try & dig out the website

[Margarita]

I'm a Early Childhood Teacher and my youngest one at the moment is 3 months so yep they def send them before the age of three. Not state kindergartens though you just need to pay for private childcare like you would in the UK.

[hosebergine]

In my area you're not getting a Kindy place until 3yrs 8 months plus! Private is the only option really

[Tia Maria]

Kindy is the state run preschool, it doesn't suit a lot of people as most only offer 5 morning or 5 afternoons, depending on age - so not really suitable for working parents. However, lots of people love it as it allows children to get to know many of the children they may start school with.

As also mentioned some areas have waiting lists so the actual age of entry may be later than 3yrs.

There are plenty of other private run preschools, (also normally with waiting lists), which offer a variety of hours at a variety of prices - some with the 20 free hours, some not.

If you choose a private Kindy close to the school you hope your child will attend the chances are there will also be other children there going on to the same school as your child - although the age gap is normally wider.

This has details of Early Childhood Education options in NZ:

www.minedu.govt.nz/Parents/EarlyYears.aspx

Cheers

Tia

[sophiedb]

Don't worry PJT, it's a translation/borrowed-word problem, not a lack of childcare. NZ refers to kindergarten (or "kindy") as an early stage of school, literally 1-2 years before the normal school age, rather than all childcare from 3 months-5 years.

I'm not entirely certain what it normally refers to in Germany, but it's your word! We just kind of, borrowed it. Then gave it a new meaning*. Very inconsiderate.


*Hmm.. this could apply to most of the English language. Ooops!

[Margarita]

Don't worry PJT, it's a translation/borrowed-word problem, not a lack of childcare. NZ refers to kindergarten (or "kindy") as an early stage of school, literally 1-2 years before the normal school age, rather than all childcare from 3 months-5 years.

I'm not entirely certain what it normally refers to in Germany, but it's your word! We just kind of, borrowed it. Then gave it a new meaning*. Very inconsiderate.


*Hmm.. this could apply to most of the English language. Ooops!

It is sort of still used to discribe childcare but I think it depends on the area and the conversation you have with people. I know my circle of friends in NZ have used the word kindy to discribe all kinds of childcare and their two year old in his mind goes to "Kindy"

Also in my centre the Kindy room is actually the room after the toddlers before they move to the pre school. It's all kind of confusing to the point that I think wires do actually cross somewhere along the line.

[sophiedb]

LOL - no wonder there's confusion

[PJT]

phew... that IS confusing.

Thank you all for your answers and your PM's. I guess now it's all about getting on waiting lists. Any suggestions/experiences for Waiheke? I know there aren't many.

Cheers,
Patrick

[JanetVin]

phew... that IS confusing.

Thank you all for your answers and your PM's. I guess now it's all about getting on waiting lists. Any suggestions/experiences for Waiheke? I know there aren't many.

Cheers,
Patrick

Hi Patrick
If you are serious about childcare on Waiheke get your names on the waiting lists as soon as possible as there aren't many options.

The Waiheke kindergarten is for 3 afternoons a week for 3y6m to 4y 6m and 5 mornings a week for 4y 6m to 5years old. Its a lovely kindy....

There are two daycares:- Waiheke Community Childcare which takes from approx 1 year old to 5 years old 5 days a week - 7.30 till 5pm. Awesome centre.

Beginnings Daycare then is open from 7am till 6pm and takes babies to 5 years old. There is a seperate under twos section at this centre but not at WCCC.

There is also the Steiner Kindergarten which takes kids from 3 I think and they also have a playgroup for younger children .I'm not sure of the details.

There is also a Playcentre which runs 5 days a week but that is a parent run centre not a daycare.

There are also home based carers on the Island, Home grown kids and Waiheke Nannies - there are also mums who look after kids as well .

My children have gone to Waiheke Community Childcare, the kindergarten and I have used home based care as well when they were little so I am biased in favour of all these as they have all been fantastic. .


Let me know if you need more information.
Thanks
Janet