Child Care Centres or Day Care

Purpose built early childhood education and care services, which focus on play based learning for children aged zero-five. They include church, work place and community based services and may be owned by the community or private operators. Child care centres offer extended hours to cater to the needs of working families but parents can also choose part day services. Child care centres are licensed by the Ministry of Education and although they vary in size, the ratios of carers to children is set by government.

Home based Care

Home based services provide education and care for children under five in a private residence, either that of the child or an experienced carer. Home based care providers offer age appropriate play based learning experiences for groups of up to four children, often with mixed ages. They are funded and regulated by the Ministry of Education and educators must belong to a home-based service, which provides support via a coordinator who is a qualified and certified early childhood education teacher.

Kindergartens

Early childhood education services for children aged two-five, although some kindergartens do enrol children younger than two. Start and finish times vary as do the programmes on offer, for example some offer school holiday care, some are bilingual and some work closely with parent groups. Kindergartens are often co-located within or close to primary schools. Kindergartens are run by associations and licensed by the Ministry of Education.

Before & After School Care and Vacation Care

Although these services are not typically classified as early childhood, they are still very important for working families. In New Zealand children can't be left alone without reasonable care and supervision until they are 14, which means most working parents will need to book before and after school care. Many of these services are privately operated and attract fees. Providers involved with the government's OSCAR (Outside of School Care and Recreation) program may attract a subsidy which reduces the cost.

Te Kôhanga Reo

Whanau led Maori immersion early childhood settings which provide services for children from birth to five years. Te Kohanga Reo settings involve whanau in decision making and management and a supportive and caring environment for mokopuna.

Play Centres

Community based early education and care services which are run by parents and member families. Programmes focus on parent led learning through play for children of mixed ages. Children can attend up to five half day sessions per week. Most playcentres are licensed by the Ministry of Education.

Nanny

May be employed by the family on either a live-in or live-out basis to undertake all tasks related to the care of children. Duties are generally restricted to child care and the domestic tasks related to child care. A nanny may not have had formal training though they often have experience. A nanny's working week ranges from forty to sixty hours per week.

Babysitter

Provides supervisory, custodial care of children on an irregular, full time or part-time basis. Usually not qualified and may come via personal contacts or through an agency.

Au Pair

Child care provided by foreign nationals working in New Zealand for cultural exchange purposes and to experience New Zealand life. Live as part of the family and receive a small allowance in exchange for child care and light housework duties.

Agencies

Child care agencies are businesses which operate to help families find babysitters, nannies and au pairs to look after their children.

Agencies charge fees and offer a range of services which can make it easier for families to find a carer which suits their particular requirements. These se.rvices include advertising for and screening candidates along with reference checking