Early childhood schooling
New Zealand offers all sorts of options for early childhood education. Each has its own way of working with children and their parents.
There are full-day, part-day and casual options. Some early childhood education centres are led by registered teachers, while in others, parents or caregivers provide the education.
There are also services where people can look after your child at their or your home, and get support from teachers who visit and provide advice and support.
Teacher–led centres
In teacher-led centres one or more of the adults providing education and care are registered teachers.
Education and care centres – these centres can be run by the community or private owners, and provide full or part-time education and care. They usually charge fees. At least one of the teachers must be a registered teacher. Depending on the centre, they may accept children from birth to school age, or they may focus on children of specific ages. Some education and care services also have programmes based on a specific culture, or on different beliefs, such as Montessori or Rudolph Steiner centres.
Kindergartens - similar to education and care centres except that all the teachers must be registered. They usually ask for a donation, depending on the age of the child and hours of attendance. Most kindergartens look after children aged between two and a half and five years old. Usually, older children attend morning sessions five days a week, while younger children attend afternoon sessions three days a week. Some kindergartens are now open all day or have some sessions that are longer than others.
Home-based education – this involves someone providing education and care for up to four children, under the supervision of a registered teacher who visits at least once a month to provide advice and support. The learning takes place at a home, either for the whole day or for part of the day.
Parent-led centres
Here, parents or caregivers provide education and care for the children.
Playcentre - run as parent co-operatives and cater for children from birth to school age. Children can attend up to five sessions a week. Parents or caregivers of children under 2 ½
years must attend with their children. There is a high adult to child ratio. Playcentres usually charge fees, but these are generally low.
Playgroups - community-based groups where parents and caregivers meet and provide play, social and learning programmes for children.
Pacific Islands early childhood education groups - these playgroups build young children’s knowledge of their own Pasifika language and cultures. They are often church or community-based, and parents help run the sessions. Learning may be in both English and a Pasifika language or in a Pasifika language only. Pacific Islands early childhood education groups may ask for parent donations.
Te Kohanga Reo and Nga Puna Kohungahunga - these services focus on Maori language and culture.
Other Options
The Correspondence School - learning programmes for three to five year old children who are not able to attend early childhood education centres because, for example, they live in a remote area.
Special needs – the Ministry of Education provides early intervention support for young children from birth, or the time that they are identified as having special education needs, until they go to school. Find out more by contacting the Special Education Information Line on 0800 622 222.
Nannies - Nannies are listed in the Yellow Pages. Many are professionally trained.
Further information
At the Ministry of Education website , you’ll find:
- Lists of early childhood education by region and type
- Information about choices in Early Childhood Education
Other useful sources of information are the ERO guide Early Childhood Education: A Guide for Parents June 2007, your neighbours, your local Citizens Advice Bureau and Plunket.
www.ero.govt.nz – the Education Review Office provides quality assessments of schools and pre-schools.
www.minedu.govt.nz – the Ministry of Education website offers information on early childhood, primary and secondary education.
www.nzkindergarten.org.nz – the website of New Zealand Kindergartens Incorporated
www.playcentre.org.nz – the website of New Zealand Playcentre Federation
www.correspondence.school.nz - correspondence courses at all levels.
www.edusearch.co.nz - information on New Zealand’s education system – pre-school to adult education
