FAQ — child Preschool, Takapuna

General

What ages do you cater for?

We accept children from birth to 6 years across five purpose-designed rooms: 0–2 years (Babies), 2–3 years (Toddlers), 3–3 yrs 8 mo, 3 yrs 8 mo – 4 yrs 4 mo, and 4 yrs 4 mo – 6 years (School Ready).

What are your hours of operation?

We are open Monday to Friday, 7 am to 6 pm. We are open throughout the year, closing only for public holidays and approximately three weeks over the Christmas/New Year period.

Where are you located?

We're at Ground Floor, AIA House, 74 Taharoto Road, Smales Farm, Takapuna, Auckland. We're conveniently located near the Smales Farm bus station and Northern Motorway.

Is there parking available?

Yes, there is parking available at Smales Farm for drop-off and pick-up. Please ask us for specific parking details when you visit.

Are you privately owned or part of a chain?

child is a privately owned, one-of-a-kind preschool — not a franchise or part of a chain. Our owner, Lee Clark, is a qualified ECE teacher who is on-site every day. This means decisions are made with your children's best interests at heart, not by a corporate board.

What is your teacher-to-child ratio?

We maintain the highest ratios:

Babies (0–2): 1 teacher to 3 children
Toddlers (2–3): 1 teacher to 5 children
Preschool (3–6): 1 teacher to 6 children

These ratios are well above the regulated minimums, ensuring every child receives genuine individual attention.

Fees & Enrolment

How much does it cost?

0–2 years: $99 per day
2–3 years: $94 per day
3–6 years: $74 per day (with 20 Hours ECE subsidy applied)

All fees include three chef-prepared meals, nappies, wipes, bedding, sunblock, and all learning materials. View full fee details.

What is the 20 Hours ECE subsidy?

All children aged 3–6 years attending a licensed ECE service in New Zealand are eligible for up to 20 hours ECE subsidy per week. This is funded by the government and automatically applied to your fees at child — no separate application needed.

Am I eligible for a WINZ childcare subsidy?

You may be eligible if you're working, training, studying, or have a health-related reason for needing childcare. The amount depends on your family income and hours of care. You can apply through Work and Income (WINZ). We're happy to help you understand your entitlements.

Do I still pay fees on public holidays?

Yes, fees are charged for public holidays but not during the Christmas/New Year shutdown period. Fees are payable at all other times, including when your child is away due to sickness or holiday.

How do I enrol my child?

Contact us to check availability, visit the centre, and if you'd like to proceed, complete the enrolment pack. We arrange settling-in visits before your child's official start date. See the full enrolment process.

Is there a waitlist? How early should I enquire?

Depending on the room and time of year, there may be a waitlist. We recommend contacting us as early as possible — many parents enquire during pregnancy. Siblings of current children receive priority.

Can I do a trial day before committing?

Once enrolled we arrange transition visits before your child's official start date so both you and your child can experience the environment. This includes short visits with you present, gradually extending to time without you as your child gains confidence.

Daily Life

What do I need to bring each day?

Very little! We provide meals, nappies, wipes, creams, bedding, sunblock, and all learning materials. You just need to pack:

A spare change of clothes
A jacket
A sun hat or warm hat
Bottles and formula (babies only)

Your child is also welcome to bring a favourite cuddly or comfort item.

What food is provided?

Our two full-time chefs prepare three nutritious meals daily in our commercial kitchen — morning tea, a hot lunch, and afternoon tea. Menus are designed to be well-balanced with fresh fruit and vegetables offered every day. Cow's milk is provided for all babies. We cater to specific dietary requirements and allergies — just let us know.

Can you accommodate food allergies and dietary requirements?

Yes. Please let us know about any allergies or dietary requirements at enrolment and after discussions with yourself we will do our utmost to accommodate them. Our chefs are experienced in preparing meals for a range of dietary needs.

How do you handle nap time / sleep?

We have dedicated sleep rooms with advanced HVAC filtration, temperature control, acoustic insulation, and low-level internal windows for visibility. All bedding is named, provided, and laundered weekly. Babies follow their own individual sleep schedules; older children have a rest period after lunch. Your child can also bring a favourite blanket or cuddly.

How will I know how my child's day went?

Teachers share daily updates at pick-up time — what your child ate, how they slept, and highlights of their day. We also create individual learning portfolios with photos and learning stories documenting your child's progress and milestones. Lee and Shohini are always available for more in-depth conversations.

What curriculum do you follow?

Our unique and intentional teaching programme incorporates Te Whāriki, New Zealand's early childhood curriculum framework. We blend structured learning plans with child-initiated discovery. Our older rooms also have a dedicated school readiness programme covering literacy, numeracy, and phonics. Learn more about our curriculum.

Health & Safety

What happens if my child is sick?

If your child is unwell, please keep them at home. If a child becomes ill during the day, we will contact you to arrange pick-up. This protects all children and staff. More details are available upon request.

Can you administer medication to my child?

Yes, with a signed medication authority form. Prescription medication must be in its original container with the pharmacy label including your child's name, dose, and frequency.

Are your staff first-aid trained and safety checked?

Yes. All registered teachers hold current first-aid certificates and all staff undergo police and necessary safety checks as required by the Ministry of Education.

How do you keep children safe?

Safety is paramount. Our centre is purpose-built with secure entry, internal visibility through low-level windows, and enclosed outdoor areas. All staff are police-vetted. We have strict sign-in/sign-out procedures and an authorised pick-up list for every child. Emergency procedures (fire, earthquake, lockdown) are practised regularly.

Do you apply sunblock?

Yes. We provide and apply sunblock before outdoor play. We also require children to wear sun hats during outdoor time in the warmer months. Shaded play areas provide additional sun protection throughout the day.

Transition & School Readiness

How do you prepare children for school?

In Room 5, our oldest children participate in a comprehensive school readiness programme covering literacy, numeracy, phonics, self-management, and social skills. Our families consistently tell us their children transitioned to primary school effortlessly. Learn more about school readiness.

Will my child be able to write their name before school?

Yes — name writing is a key focus of our school readiness programme. Children also develop letter recognition, phonics skills, number identification, and counting abilities before they transition to primary school.

How will my child cope with settling in initially?

We take settling-in very seriously. We arrange introductory visits, gradually increasing the time, and for our babies we assign a primary caregiver. Teachers keep communication lines open throughout the settling in period. Every child is different and we follow their lead — we never rush. Most children settle quickly thanks to our warm, welcoming environment. Read about our settling-in programme.

Still Have Questions?

Lee and Shohini are always happy to chat. Reach out any time.