Unique Childcare Solution for Working Parents

Unique Childcare Solution for Working Parents Launched

The former principals of two leading Auckland private schools have teamed together to launch a new concept in after school care to meet the needs of working parents – and their children.

Bluepoint offers working parents a flexible, tailored and educationally stimulating after school childcare option.  The service enables children to be cared for and have their homework supervised in their own home by trained ‘Bluepointers’.

The founders are former Diocesan School for Girls principal Gail Thomson and former Corran School principal Jacqueline Scorgie, who believe the service they have created is a New Zealand first.

“As working parents ourselves with a common background in education, we understand what children and their parents need after school.  We’ve combined this knowledge and experience to create a structured in-home after school care service that fills a gap in the market,” says Jacqueline Scorgie.

Gail Thomson says; “Parents often find choosing after school care difficult. Nannies are popular but they often want full-time employment and that’s an expensive option for school-aged children.  Casual babysitters can lack the structure and educational know-how that Bluepoint carers bring to their role.”

The Bluepoint concept is based on two key ideas: that children do best in their own homes after school; and that career-oriented parents place a high value on learning and education. 

“Bluepointers undergo stringent checks, interviews and training before appointment. We then work with the family to determine their needs before placing the right Bluepointer as a carer,” says Gail.

Bluepoint has been trialling the service since late 2006 with a group of Auckland families and it’s proving very successful.

“We’ve had extremely positive feedback that suggests parents return home from work more relaxed knowing that the children are happy, well cared for and have done their homework – and in some cases dinner may even be prepared if that’s a requirement of the role,” says Jacqueline Scorgie.

The aim is that parents arrive home to a settled atmosphere so that the family can enjoy quality family time for the remainder of the evening.

Jacqueline and Gail recruit, train and personally mentor each Bluepointer.  The service includes; collection from school, supervision of homework, de-briefing the school day, preparing for the next day and reporting on the session to parents. 

ENDS

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