HOURS OF OPERATION

Playhouse is open Monday to Friday 7.45am to 5.30pm. We operate throughout the year, closing for public holidays and 2 teacher only days. We close for a two week break over Christmas. Fees are still paid during these holidays.

AFFORDABLE FEES

As a not for profit we try and keep our costs low and offer up to 20hours of ECE funding from the government. Your fees goes towards the ability to have qualified and certificated teachers, high teacher:child ratios, excursions, Game time and a generous resource and professional development budget.

WAITING LIST & ENROLMENTS

We are a small centre licenced for 30 children. The journey starts with putting your child on our waiting list. Once we have a space open for your child we will then enrol your child fully at Playhouse.

SETTLING INTO PLAYHOUSE

You do 5 settling in visits - more if you feel your child needs more, 3 with parents and 2 without. These gradual visits helps you and your child to become familiar with our environment and what happens here in a day, as well as a sleep in our sleeproom. This is a good time to share and ask questions. We aim to help the transition from home to Playhouse to be as smooth as possible. This is also the time to share as much about your child / family with the teachers to help your child settle into Playhouse.

KAI - LUNCHBOXES

We are a lunchbox from home service. This gives you the opportunity to pack the food that your child enjoys eating, with variety and portions that suit your child’s appetite.

KIWI’S (U2’S) & TUI’S (02’S)

We talk about Kiwi’s and Tui’s here at Playhouse which gives chidlren a geater sense of belonging and show children that we value them as capable, confident and competent learners. There is a Kiwi room and outdoor area for this age group and the same for our Tui’s. Our licence is for up to 10 U2’s and we have 3 teachers in this room, and 4 teachers in our O2’s room.

CURRICULUM

Te Whāriki our NZ Early Childhood Curriculum allows children to learn through play. You may also see the following in our programme:

*messy play*art*science, maths and numeracy exploration through play*literacy through books, stories & conversations*music and movement*physical and outdoor play*construction, loose parts and small world play*bicultural focused learning*exploring the community around us*special events and cultural celebrations.

WHĀNAU INVOLVEMENT

Playhouse is an Incorporated society, which means on enrolment of your child you become a member of the Society alongside the employed staff of the Society. Playhouse is governed by a Parents Committee and you have the opportunity to join this Committee too. We have parent: teacher conversations during the year where we can share your goals and aspirations for your child. We hold two working bees during the year to clean and reset our environment and many hands make light work. We value our parent partnerships.

OUR STAFF

Our team is made up of a Senior Teacher, an Office Administrator, 7 qualified and certificated teachers, and 1 unqualified teacher. we also have a pool of our own relievers. Staff turnover at Playhouse is low, and this helps children to feel safe and able to grow when there is consistency of care. We have a fantastic, multicultural teaching team with ancestry from all over the world.

EXCURSIONS

Outings and excursions offer real world experience beyond the Playhouse environment. It also is a great way to develop social confidence! Some of our favourite places to visit include the Botanical Gardens, the National Library, a play on the Parliament slide, Te Papa Museum, the Thorndon Fire & Ambulance station, train and cable car trips and lots of school visits all over Wellington. We might even pop into your office to say hi if you work close by!

GAME TIME

Coach Mattie from Gametime has a weekly slot during Term time where all our childen get the opportunity to build confidence through play! Game time develops sport skills, balance, fundamental movements through imaginative games. It also boosts team work, confidence and social interaction, turn taking and waiting.