Choosing an early childhood education provider
Things to consider when choosing an early childhood
education provider
• Proximity to home/work - is it conveniently
located?
• Cost - does it fit your budget? Do you qualify for a WINZ
subsidy, and if so, is the centre recognized by WINZ?
• Curriculum - does it offer what you believe your child
needs? Ask to see their planned curriculum, and some examples of
work done by children at the centre. Check out their ERO (Education
Review Office) report from the Ministry of Education.
• Environment - does it have a nice feel? Does your child feel
comfortable there? Take him/her for a visit and see how he/she
reacts to the teachers, other children, and facilities.
• Hours - Do their session/opening times fit into your
lifestyle? What about school holidays - are they open or
closed?
• Ages of the other children - are there lots of children
around your child's age? This will help him/her to make
friends.
• Local schools - which schools do the children at the centre
feed into? Is this the same as the school you intend to send your
child too? It helps with the transition to school if children have
friends at the same school.