Parent info

We cater for children aged from three months old up to six years

Ministry of Education's Research shows that children who are involved in quality early childhood education (ECE) benefit in many ways, and that these benefits also extend to their family/whānau and the wider community.  Taking part in ECE builds a strong foundation for your child’s ongoing education, learning and development. Children learn lots of new skills by participating in ECE, building on the skills they learn at home and from their families/whānau.

When you enrol at Learning Stars Preschool, we support you every step of the way. Our Centre Manager will invite you to take a tour of the centre first so you can see where your child will be cared for and to ensure you are comfortable with your decision. They will then provide you with an enrolment pack that contains everything you need to know about the centre and your child's routine and a quote for your weekly fees. We encourage you to ask as many questions as you like – we are committed to providing open, honest communication that supports your decision.

After you have submitted your inquiry form, we:

• Call to discuss your child's needs.
• Arrange a time suitable to you for a visit
• and guide you with the paper work for enrolment

We provide a range of learning experiences, some of which can be messy but are valuable part of the learning process.  We advise dressing your child in clothing that is comfortable and suitable for active play.   

• A schoolbag that is clearly labelled with your child's name.  
• Two changes of clothes, all clearly named.  
• A clearly named sunhat for summer or warm hat, jacket and gumboots for winter.  
• For children in nappies, please supply enough nappies for the session/day (5-6 nappies are recommended for a full day).  
• A lunchbox containing enough food for the session/day. (If your child would like a hot lunch we are happy to heat food up).  
• A named drink bottle.  
• At Learning Stars Preschool, we believe there's no such thing as bad weather.  If you are happy for your child to explore the outdoors in changeable weather, please provide suitable wet weather gear.

We understand that parting with your child can be an anxious experience for both parent and child. The team at Learning Stars are here to help make this process an easier one. On your child's first day please be prepared to stay for a short time, so that the Head Teacher can show you around, introduce you to the wider team of teachers and answer any questions you might have and explain our routines and program.  Some children settle in straight away while others take a little longer, but with perseverance, patience, love and support your child will get there.

We recommend saying a quick goodbye to your child as lengthy goodbyes can make your eventual departure more difficult for your child.  Our team will be on hand to reassure your child armed with a range of techniques to assist them to settle quickly, confidently and happily. You are always more than welcome to ring us at any time of the session to check how your child is getting on.  

At Learning Stars Preschool, we want to work collaboratively with you to support any toilet training that you are doing at home. If your child is not yet toilet trained don't worry - we have a lovely, fun and hygenic nappy changing area ready for them.  Simply pack enough changes of nappies (and clothes) in their school bag.  When the toilet training begins let us know and we'll provide you with our toilet training tips and tricks. Remember to pack plenty of changes of clothes during this time as accidents are unavoidable and a very normal part of the toilet training process.  By encouraging routine toilet times (eg: before naps) throughout the day, good toileting habits can easily be formed.

We keep a very close eye on our children and always alert parents immediately to any signs of illness. However we ask that you keep your child home should they display the following symptoms:

• A temperature over 38 degrees Celsius
• Coloured discharge from your child's nose
• Unidentified rash or spots
•  Inflamed throat or eyes
• Severe cough not linked to asthma or breathing disorder
• Vomiting or diarrhoea (they can return 48 hours after the last symptom)
• Head lice

Tip: If you have other children at home who are sick, please don't be afraid to let us know. Sometimes a day of less active, one on one indoor activities might be all a child needs to allow their immune system to fight off a bug.