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jack_&_charli View Drop Down
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    Posted: 16 July 2005 at 2:29pm
hubby and i want to put our wee man (11mths) into playcentre soon to give him abit of socialising. poor thing has only 3 mates, all girls and the youngest is 3! we live in north beach chch and am wanting to know if anyone can recommend somewhere local to take him?? i don't even know what i should be looking for as jack is our first child and the whole thought of 'strangers' looking after him scares me! we only want to send him for approx 2hrs a day 2-3 times a week, how much does that usually cost?   

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melz View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote melz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 July 2005 at 4:27pm
If you want to take him to playcentre you will need to be there with him until he is settled. I know North Shore Assoc (Auckland) has a rule of 2 1/2 and finished C2 of the adult education training, however all associations are different. Normally, they do 1yr = 1 session (2 1/2hrs) 2yrs = 2 sessions etc but depending on how busy the centre is you may be able to do more. We pay $20/term ($80/yr) if they go once a week or $35/term if they go anymore than that. Playcentre is run by parents so there can be quite a bit of involvement but they will tell you all about it if you pay a visit. Most centres let you have 3 visits so you can decide if it's right for you. Playcentre.org.nz will have more info and you can find out a centre which is close to you. Can you tell I am a playcentre mum!! My daughter started at 18months and was soooo shy but she is wonderful now and has made lots of friends!
I think you will find that it's best to start when they are walking esp in the winter weather, when you don't want them crawling round outside as much.
Creche is another option. It is usually just casual drop offs or ring around local c/care centres to see if they do sessions as some are all day centres or have a minimum time/week attendence. Costs will vary.
Hope this helps.
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Maya View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Maya Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 July 2005 at 9:47am
We did Playcentre with Maya as well, started when she was 11 mths and we finished at the end of last term. Auckland Ass. is one of the strictest apparantly and we had to do a minimum of 2 sessions per week, plus training and meetings etc. Maya loved PLaycntre, and we made some great friends there which is good for both of us as I don't have many friends who have kids similar ages. It was also good as we started when I was on my own with Maya and I got great support from the other Mum's when it came to having to go to evening trainig and meetings. But now I am working full time, and I was finding it all a bit much, I was having 2-3 nights per week out with Playcentre and it was affecting my time with Willie, and stressing me out. But if I ever become a SAHM I would definitely go back coz the Playcentre experience is great for kids.

Maya is also in daycare, has been since 5 mths old, and she is so sociable and bubbly. I am sure part of it is her personality to begin with, but she loves daycare and comes home and tells me stories about all her little friends. Daycare provides her with a range of experiences and social situations that she would never get if she wa at home with me, especially when I was on my own and it was just her and I. It was hard to leave her at first, but now seeing how happy she is when I drop her off I know I'm doing the right thing.

Hope this helps a bit, from another Mum who's tried it.
Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Maya View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Maya Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 July 2005 at 9:48am
Forgot to say that Maya's daycare costs $4.95 per hour and we qualify for a Childcar Subsidy of $2.77 per hour. They do have a restriction on minimum hours tho, at her centre you have to do at least 12 hours per week, and each session has to be at least 3 hours.
Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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nuttymama View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote nuttymama Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 July 2005 at 4:03pm
Hi Vanessa,

I live in christchurch, and most of our childcare centres are a little more relaxed. I had Jayden in daycare for two three hour sessions a week at 6 months, and he thrived there. The best thing to do is shop around, most daycare centres invite parents to come and visit, they show you around and let you know what routines they follow etc. Ask lots of questions and look at the cleanliness and space. I have worked in a lot of daycare centres and it is best to shop around. I have been in some that are really interactive with babies and others that bascially leave babies to there own devices and leave them to entertain themselves. I did work in a really nice one over your way but it was `a long time ago and the name esacapes me I'll sleep on it. Most of all go with your instincts, your the best judge at whether it's the right palce for your baby or not.
Abigail 06/01/2005
Jayden   21/11/2001
Micheal 03/04/1997
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nuttymama View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote nuttymama Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 July 2005 at 4:14pm
Excuse the spelling I have a house full of sick children including myself and am running on no sleep. Check what their policies are like feeding and sleep etc, some places will rock babies to sleep some will rub backs others allow the crying method, and some will only allow babies to be held when feeding etc. One place I worked at was very strict that all babies must be held when feeding, and we had a little boy that always liked to lay down and hold his own bottles, the parents ended up moving him because he was getting to upset and being forced to do something he wasn't used to. Don't be afraid to let them know exactly what you are looking for and what your childs routine is. Your best bet is to make a list of things you want to ask before you go. We went around to five or six childcare centres before finding one that felt right.
Abigail 06/01/2005
Jayden   21/11/2001
Micheal 03/04/1997
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jack_&_charli View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jack_&_charli Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 July 2005 at 6:23pm
thanks for your help guys! i think i'll go through the yellow pages and see what's around my area and then visit a few places.
i appreciate your help as i really didn't know where/ what to look for

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