Fees

Information for Parents

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• Our Team

At Ako Tahi we value our team and place a strong emphasis on connecting to ensure the best outcomes for children and whanau. We will keep you informed of our team by placing their photos/names/qualifications on display in our Entrance.

 

• Complaints

While every effort is made to correctly identify and fulfil each child’s needs, at times you may have concerns you wish to raise with us. If this situation should arise, please feel free to speak to your child’s teacher or our Centre Manager.

Our Complaints procedure can be found on display in our entrance area, we are always more than happy to discuss any concerns you may have. 

If you believe we have displayed non-compliance with the Early Childhood regulations or Early Childhood Licensing Criteria, please discuss with our Centre Manager or contact our local Ministry of Education Office on +64 3 378 7300.

 

• Education Review Office Report

Our most recent ERO report is available to view by the front desk, or you can search it on the ERO website.

 

• Ministry of Education License

Our license to operate is displayed on the entrance wall which verifies the number of children that we are able to enroll whilst meeting the Ministry of Education Licensing Criteria.

 

• Education Regulations 2008/Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Services.

A copy of the Early Childhood Services Regulations (2008) is available for you to view in the entrance of our preschool.​​

A copy of the Licensing Criteria is available for you to view in the entrance of our preschool.

 

• Ako Tahi Policies/Procedures/philosophy

A copy of our Policy/procedure folder is available for you to view in the entrance of our preschool. Click here to view our Policy/procedure documents online.

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• Expenditure of Ministry of Education

Each year we will have available for you to view how our Ministry of Education funding has been allocated. You are welcome to ask the Centre Manager to view this.

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Relevant Policies:

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Complaints Procedure Policy

Purpose:

To maintain open communication, positive and respectful relationships between Ako Tahi Preschool staff, management parents and whānau. To guide adults on the procedure to follow up and to raise concerns, including any non-compliance with licence conditions.

Rationale:

In dealing with complaints, we will be consistent in terms of fairness and procedures. We believe everyone should be able to bring forward their concerns, feel listened to and validated.

Ako Tahi Preschool complaints policy is to guide teachers and management in resolving any complaints in a timely fashion and through constructive dialogue. Wherever possible, complaints will be resolved informally through discussion between relevant parties. If informal discussion processes are unsuccessful, more formal communication lines and processes are open to parents and to staff.

Procedures:

- Parents are advised that if they have a complaint regarding any aspect of their child’s education and care, to take it up in the first instance with the teacher concerned.

- If the outcome of this discussion is seen to be unsatisfactory, please contact the Manager to discuss the issue and/or make any complaint. A complaint made verbally should be confirmed in writing within two days if the parent/ whānau wants the matter to be investigated more fully.

 - If any adult is concerned that Ako Tahi Preschool is not complying with licence conditions, the issue can be raised with the Manager or contact the Education Review Office (contact details at the end of this policy).

– If the matter cannot be resolved simply, the concerned adult will share the issue with the Board of Trustees, please email the preschool for contact details.

 - If the concerned adult is not satisfied with the outcome of these discussions, Education Review Office is the next avenue for resolution for non-compliance issues with Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008, Education and Training Act 2020 and all governing bodies.

- All meetings about formal complaints will be recorded in writing and copies of the minutes will be made available to all parties. The records will be kept in a confidential secure file.

- All parties will have access to support if they seek it, including bringing a support person to meetings about formal complaints.

 - Serious complaints (e.g., complaints about wilful neglect, physical or sexual abuse): Serious complaints must be lodged formally. In the event of alleged criminal acts, the appropriate authority would be informed. This relates to the Centre’s Child Protection Policy. Conversations relating to concerns will be raised regarding the children, or the centre must be conducted in a professional manner. An appointment should be made for the conversation to happen away from the children.

 

Education Review Office

Christchurch

Level 2, Te Urutī, 48 Hereford Street, Christchurch 8013

PO Box 1454, Christchurch 8140 DX Mail – WX10088

T: 04 499 2489

 

Email by contacting enforcement@ero.govt.nz

Direct to an ERO review officer when they are undertaking a review.

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Child Health and Infectious Diseases Policy

Rationale

Exclusion of children with infectious diseases from Early Childhood Centres is sometimes necessary where there is potential for further spread of infection. We wish to make the children and adults safe from infection by spelling out clearly under what circumstances a child should be excluded. Exclusion is at the centre manager’s discretion.

 

On 8 January 2026, the Health (Immunisation) Regulations 1995 were revoked.

These regulations required early childhood services and primary schools to maintain onsite immunisation registers by requesting immunisation certificates from parents/guardians of children born from 1 January 1995. These are no longer required as the Aotearoa Immunisation Register (AIR) has replaced this function.

 

Procedures

• A child suffering from any of the following symptoms will be required to leave the centre AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. If a parent is unavailable or unable to remove their child within 30 minutes, the emergency contact person listed on the child’s enrolment form will be contacted.

• Whilst the child is waiting to be collected the child will be isolated in the office which is away from where food is stored, prepared, and eaten. The office allows the child to be kept at a safe distance from other children, lie down comfortably on a mattress and be supervised.

• The illness prevents the child from participating comfortably in programme activities.

• The illness results in a greater care needed than we can reasonably provide without compromising the health and safety of the other children.

• The child has any of the following conditions:  consistent fever, persistent crying, difficulty breathing, persistent coughing, persistent runny nose, or other signs of possible illness.

• No child with diarrhoea or vomiting should attend the centre. Children must be symptom free for 48 hours and in the case of diarrhoea have had at least one normal bowel motion before returning.

• Rash with fever or behaviour change – until a doctor has determined that the illness is not a communicable disease.

• Conjunctivitis – until the child has been treated and there is no discharge coming from the eyes.

• Tuberculosis – until the child’s physician or the Public Health Service advises that the child is non-infectious.

• Impetigo – until 24 hours after treatment has started.

• Strep throat – until 24 hours after treatment has started, and until 24 hours after fever stops.

• Head lice and/or nits – until treatment has commenced and hair has been thoroughly combed. Public health recommends daily combing for 3 weeks to ensure hair is free of nits/lice.

• Thread worm – until treatment is completed.

• Scabies – until after treatment has been completed.

• Chickenpox – when all the lesions have dried and crusted.

• Whooping cough – until five days of appropriate antibiotic therapy (the total course of the usual treatment is 14 days.)

• Mumps – until nine days after glands started swelling.

• Public Health Service exclusion guidelines will be followed for any conditions not listed above.

• Individual health plans will be written in consultation with parents for children who suffer from Asthma, Epilepsy or specific allergies, or other medical conditions. All allergy action plans must be completed by a doctor.

• A child prescribed antibiotic for any illness should not return until at least 24 hours after treatment has started or at the centre manager’s discretion.

• We reserve the right to request a medical certificate from a heath professional before allowing a child to return from illness.

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Behaviour Guidance Policy

Rationale

At Ako Tahi Preschool, adults are always required to model pro-social skills. Respect, affection, acceptance and self-confidence are our daily goals for empowering each child.  Our philosophy is that each child has unique individual potential which requires nurturing through effective and gentle guidance.

 

Procedures

Strategies for guiding behaviour:

• Re-direction of inappropriate behaviour, i.e., guide the child towards more appropriate activity.

• Teachers will acknowledge the child’s emotions “I can see that you are feeling frustrated…”

• Promotion of peaceful problem-solving strategies which empower children.

• Always offer the child an explanation of why certain behaviour is unacceptable and inform the child of the desired behaviour.

• Allowing the child time (age and stage appropriate) to correct his or her behaviour, i.e., by approaching the situation and asking, “what’s happening here?” then offering choices to the child on how to try things differently.

• Depending on the situation and the age of the child, teachers may remove the toy, activity or object that is central to the behaviour and then ensure there are 2 options for the future.

• Extremely inappropriate behaviour that may pose a health or safety issue to a teacher/other children or a piece of equipment may result in one-on-one time i.e., if behaviour is distracting or upsetting other children, a teacher will go with the child and together they will have some time away from the other children to regulate their emotions.

• Teachers will always talk calmly and provide positive reinforcement in terms of behaviour, i.e., ‘I love the way you are exploring your play’ or ‘can we have a chat about another way you can express your feelings.’  In this way, behaviour is targeted and not the child. No child will be secluded at any time or receive any form of corporal punishment.

• Teachers will work together with parents to individualise behaviour guidance plans where appropriate.

• Parents and teachers are encouraged to avoid unnecessary and baseless rules or limits which may cause friction in adult-child partnerships.

• Parents are always notified of the occurrence of any extremely inappropriate behaviour and the strategies that have used at the centre to modify it.

• Teachers recognise the need for consistency in dealing with all inappropriate behaviour.

• We are a “no hitting and no shouting” zone. This applies to children, teachers, parents, and visitors to the centre.

• A calm and peaceful manner will be used by the teachers as much as possible to ensure children’s dignity is upheld and respected.

• Developmental stages and understandings will be taken into consideration when dealing with behaviour guidance issues.