Early learning in New Zealand does not look the same as primary school, where there are structured classes or lessons.
Your child will learn through play and active exploration. This is supported by the early learning curriculum, Te Whāriki.
Centres have indoor and outdoor areas. The outdoor play areas are open all year, including in winter. The indoor spaces may be separated into activity areas such as dress-up clothes, books, building blocks, or musical instruments.
Daily routines
Each service will have its own daily routine, set around activities, meal times and nap times. Tamariki | children will also come together to share stories and waiata | songs in a group environment with their teachers.
In a home-based setting, this could happen in the home with the children who are there, or at a playgroup that home-based educators may attend.
At kōhanga reo, waiata are a central part of everyday learning and sharing as a group is an important way of teaching.
Talk to your child's early learning service for information about how they organise their days and what activities they have.
Eating
Children usually eat main meals together in a dedicated eating space. Some centres will also do snack time together. Others will make kai | food available when your child is hungry between meals. This is sometimes called "rolling kai".
Some early learning services provide food for your child and formula for your baby. Others will ask you to pack meals and snacks for your child each day. You will find this information when you visit or enrol at your centre, or on their website.
Drinking water is always available for your child. Your centre may use cups or ask you to pack a refillable drink bottle.
There are regulations about food safety that early learning services have to follow. These include food allergies, types of foods and how they can be served.
Health and safety at early learning
Bottle feeding
You can discuss your baby's feeding schedule and amounts with staff when you enrol.
Some centres will supply formula for your baby. If they do, you have to agree on the brand and type of formula.
Breastfeeding
You can visit your child at their early learning service to breastfeed them. Talk to your service about this when you enrol.
Sleeping
If your child has naps during the day, talk to your early learning service about their routine and how long your child should sleep for. You can do this when you enrol, and as your child gets older and their nap times change.
Babies are not allowed to have bottles in bed or cots at an early learning service.
If your child uses dummies (pacifiers) to sleep, talk to your centre about whether they allow this.
Toilet training
If your child will be transitioning out of nappies while enrolled at an early learning service, you can talk to staff about supporting your child.
How to get involved
How much you can get involved in your child's early learning centre can depend on the type they are enrolled in.
Playcentres and playgroups rely on your involvement and support to operate. Other early learning services are less reliant on whānau | family input but may welcome or ask for your help at times. If you want to be more involved, talk to your early learning service.
Parenting courses and information
Some early learning services offer parenting information and courses for families and the wider community. These courses can be about a wide range of parent and child topics such as developing social competence and language development.
Talk to your early learning centre about any courses they offer, or that they know are available in the community.
Playcentres and kōhanga reo provide courses for parents and whānau as part of their normal programmes.
Complaints
If you have a complaint or concern about your child's early learning service, you should talk to them first. There should be a complaints policy in place that is accessible to everyone.
If you do not think your complaint has been addressed, you can contact your regional office.
