Question 1

Are you open during the school holidays & Christmas?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We remain open throughout the school holidays and operate year-round for families who need care.

During the Christmas and New Year period, the centre is open on the weekdays that fall between the statutory public holidays. This typically means we are open for approximately three days during Christmas week and three days during New Year week, depending on how the public holidays fall each year.

Question 2

What are your opening hours?

Accepted Answer

Monday - Friday
7:45am - 5:30pm

Question 3

Do you provide meals and snacks?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We provide morning and afternoon tea free of charge each day, including a selection of fresh fruit and nutritious snacks.

Children are welcome to bring their own packed lunch, allowing families to cater to their child's preferences and dietary requirements. For added convenience, families may also choose to order lunches through our optional local lunch service. [Learn more about our lunch options ]

Question 4

Why do you have a mixed-age learning environment?

Accepted Answer

We believe a mixed-age environment enriches learning opportunities, allowing children to learn alongside and from one another through caring relationships and shared experiences. Older children naturally develop leadership, empathy, responsibility, and confidence as they support younger peers, while younger children gain inspiration, knowledge, and encouragement from those around them. This approach is closely aligned with the Māori concept of tuakana–teina, where children learn with and from one another through reciprocal relationships.

By learning together, tamariki develop a strong sense of belonging, build meaningful friendships across age groups, and experience the value of helping and being helped. This creates a warm, family-like environment where every child has opportunities to both teach and learn.

Question 5

What ages do you cater for?

Accepted Answer

Children can enrol from 6 months of age and may remain enrolled until their sixth birthday. We provide a warm, nurturing, and responsive environment where each child's individual routines, needs, and stage of development are respected and supported.

Our experienced teachers work closely with families to ensure a smooth and positive transition into care, helping children build secure relationships and a strong sense of belonging from the very beginning.

Question 6

Did you know? Children in New Zealand can remain in early childhood education until their sixth birthday.

Accepted Answer

While many children move on to school soon after their fifth birthday, some families choose to extend their child's time with us. This may be to support a gradual transition to school, because a child would benefit from more time to develop emotional confidence and independence with everyday self-help skills, or simply to provide continuity of care during the summer months before school reopens.

Question 7

What should my child bring each day?

Accepted Answer

Please bring a named bag containing:

A packed lunch (unless using our optional lunch ordering service)
Two or more changes of clothes
A jacket suitable for changing weather conditions
A hat appropriate for the season
A named drink bottle

Please ensure all belongings are clearly named, including clothing, shoes, lunchboxes, drink bottles, and comfort items. Permanent markers are available at the entrance and throughout the centre for your convenience.

For babies and toddlers

Each child has different needs, but younger children will often require:

A supply of nappies (we will let you know when these are running low)
Formula or bottles, if required
Any comfort items that support your child's sleeping routine, such as a sleep sack, comforter, special teddy, or favourite blanket
Any other personal items needed to support their daily routine

Our teachers work closely with families to understand and support each child's individual routines, ensuring a smooth and comfortable day at the centre.

Please note: We encourage children to leave toys from home at home wherever possible. Our centre is well resourced with a wide variety of toys, games, and learning materials for children to enjoy throughout the day.

Leaving special toys at home helps prevent them from being lost, damaged, or becoming a source of conflict when other children wish to play with them. Comfort items that help children settle or sleep are always welcome.

Sun Safety

Protecting children from the sun is an important part of our daily routine during the warmer months (usually October to March).
Children should wear sun-safe clothing and either bring a named sunhat or use one of the centre's hats. We provide centre hats for children who need them, although many families prefer to send their own.
We monitor the daily UV Index, and whenever the UV level is forecast to reach 3 or above, sunscreen is applied to all children. To ensure children remain protected throughout the day, sunscreen is typically reapplied after morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea, or more frequently if required.
We encourage families to apply sunscreen before arriving at the centre so children are protected from the beginning of the day.

Question 8

How do you support children settling into care?

Accepted Answer

We begin with a one-hour visit where parents and children spend time together at the centre, allowing your child to become familiar with the environment and teachers.
We understand that every child settles into a new environment differently. That's why we take a flexible, child-centred approach to settling into care, allowing each child to progress at a pace that feels comfortable for them.

We usually begin with one or more settling visits, where parents stay with their child at the centre for one- to two-hour sessions. These visits allow children to become familiar with the environment, teachers, and other tamariki while still having the security of their parents or caregiver nearby.

Depending on how your child is settling, we may organise additional visits before encouraging a short period of independent play. This may begin with just 5–30 minutes without a parent, gradually increasing as your child becomes more comfortable and confident.

Some children are ready after only a few settling visits, while others benefit from a little more time. We work closely with each family to create a settling plan that best meets their child's individual needs, ensuring the transition into care is as gentle and positive as possible.

Every child responds differently when separating from their parents for the first time, but with patience, consistency, and supportive relationships, they all find their place within our learning community.

Please note: Your child's enrolment officially begins from their first settling visit, but no fees are charged during the settling visit period. Fees only commence once your child begins attending on their regular booked timetable.

Question 9

Do you offer funded ECE hours?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We offer all government-funded early childhood education entitlements and are happy to help families understand what assistance they may be eligible for.

20 Hours ECE
All children aged 3 to 5 years are entitled to up to 20 hours of government-funded early childhood education each week, with a maximum of 6 funded hours per day. This funding is available regardless of your family's income. 
[Learn more about 20 Hours ECE ]

Work and Income Childcare Subsidy
Families who are working, studying, training, or meet other eligibility criteria may be able to receive additional assistance through the Work and Income Childcare Subsidy. Depending on your circumstances, this can help cover childcare costs beyond the 20 funded hours. 
[Learn more about Work and Income Childcare Subsidy]

Family Boost
Eligible families may also be able to claim FamilyBoost, an Inland Revenue payment that reimburses part of their childcare costs after other subsidies have been applied. Claims are made through your myIR account each quarter. 
[Learn more about FamilyBoost information and eligibility]

Family Start & Early Learning Payment
Families enrolled in the Family Start programme may be eligible for the Early Learning Payment through Work and Income. This payment helps cover the cost of up to 20 hours of early childhood education each week for eligible children aged 18 months to 3 years, making quality early learning more accessible for families.
If you think you may qualify, please let us know. We're happy to explain the process and help connect you with the appropriate services.
Learn more:
Family Start
Early Learning Payment

Need help?
Understanding childcare funding can sometimes feel overwhelming. Our team is happy to explain the options available, help you complete the necessary paperwork, and ensure you receive the funding and support your family is entitled to.

Question 10

How do you communicate with families?

Accepted Answer

At pick-up time, we share updates about your child’s day, including their activities, experiences, and how they have been feeling.
We believe strong partnerships with families are essential to children's learning and wellbeing. We communicate with families in a variety of ways to ensure you stay connected and informed throughout your child's journey with us.

Daily conversations at drop-off and pick-up provide opportunities to share updates about your child's day, wellbeing, routines, achievements, and any important information.
Email is used for newsletters, notices, invoices, events, and other centre-wide communications.
Facebook allows families to see what is happening around the centre, celebrate special events, and keep up to date with our wider learning community.
Storypark is our online learning portfolio and communication platform. Teachers regularly share learning stories, learning notes, photos, videos, and important updates, giving families a window into their child's experiences at the centre. Parents and whānau can read, comment, share their own observations from home, and celebrate milestones together with our teaching team. This ongoing two-way communication helps strengthen the connection between home and the centre, allowing us to work in partnership to support each child's learning and development.

Question 11

What happens if my child is sick?

Accepted Answer

To help keep all children, families, and teachers healthy, we ask that children who are unwell stay at home. Our illness procedures follow both our Enrolment Handbook and current Health New Zealand guidance.

As a general guide:
Children with a fever should remain at home until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without medication.
Children experiencing vomiting or diarrhoea should remain at home for 48 hours after their last episode.
For highly contagious illnesses, such as chickenpox, we follow the exclusion periods recommended by Health New Zealand before children return to the centre.

If your child becomes unwell while at the centre, we will contact you and ask that they are collected as soon as practicable.
We understand that having a sick child at home can be one of the most stressful times for families. Between caring for your child, disrupted sleep, and time away from work, there is already plenty to think about. To help support our families during these times, we offer a 50% fee reduction for illness-related absences when a medical certificate is provided, in accordance with our fee policy.
If you are ever unsure whether your child is well enough to attend, please feel free to contact us. We're always happy to discuss your child's situation and help you make the best decision.

Question 12

How often do children go on excursions?

Accepted Answer

3–5 excursions every single week... Too good to be true? It's just everyday life at Queens Park ECE.

We run 3–5 excursions every week, with up to 8 children joining each outing in our 11-seater centre minibus. As a small centre, this rotating system means most children enjoy excursions one to three times each week, depending on their age and the activities they have signed up for.

Excursions are a fundamental part of our teaching philosophy. Once children are big enough to safely travel in our centre vehicle, they regularly explore the wider community. Our youngest tamariki also enjoy buggy and stroller walks around Queens Park and the local neighbourhood, allowing them to experience the outdoors from an early age.

Learn more on our Lots of Excursions!  page to discover where we go and how real-world experiences become meaningful learning.

Question 13

Can I book a visit or trial session?

Accepted Answer

Of course! Contact us today! We're looking forward to meeting you!

FAQ’s