New Generation Of Home-Based Care And Learning

Kidstart - The New Generation Of Home-Based Care And Learning

Barnardos, New Zealand’s largest child-focused community organisation, is leading the way in childcare services with today’s launch of ‘KidStart’, the new generation of home-based care for children from birth to 5 years. KidStart combines top quality care in the home of a Caregiver with a learning-through-play programme, and is approved by the Ministry of Education.

Mark Wells, Barnardos Group Manager, says “KidStart has a strong emphasis on partnership and professionalism. Visiting teachers will work closely with parents in developing an individually tailored learning programme, and then alongside the KidStart Caregiver in delivering that programme. This programme is based on the Ministry of Education’s Early Childhood Curriculum – Te Whariki. In addition, the low KidStart Caregiver to child ratio of maximum of one to four supports the learning process.”

KidStart Caregivers are carefully selected and professionally trained. As well as thorough checks on the Caregivers themselves, other members of the household are checked, as is the home itself to ensure that it complies with Ministry of Education standards to ensure a welcoming environment where the child can learn safely through play.

Home-based childcare combines the benefits of other childcare options with the warmth and intimacy of growing up at home. It offers individual attention and learning opportunities to children in a small, family-like setting.

Currently, 9,500 children aged 0-5 years participate in home-based childcare and 5,000 of those are through Barnardos home-based care facilities.

Barnardos home-based childcare services have been operating nationally for over 25 years and have proven a popular childcare option for parents, particularly those of very young children. KidStart looks to build on this successful formula of fun and learning in a safe and welcoming home environment.

Existing Barnardos home-based family day care services will become part of the KidStart programme from this month and will offer affordable prices and flexible hours throughout convenient locations nationwide.

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