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Children's Education Centre
Quality Educare for your child while you take care of your study
It's not easy raising a family while studying for your future. That's why we offer parents studying at Manukau Institute of Technology the use of our purpose-built and architecturally designed Children's Education Centre.
The programme is child centred and the interactive environment promotes children learning. The Centre provides meals including hot lunch and is open during standard work hours.
Essential Information
Hours: Monday to Friday 7.45am - 5.00pm
We close for five weeks during the Christmas vacation but remain open during all other school holidays. However, the centre may close for professional development activities during these periods – usually one or two days only.
Licenses
We currently have two licenses to accomodate the following number of children:
- Under 2 years (0-24 months): 25 children
- Over 2 years: 50 children
Contact
- Location: NE Block, North Campus, Gate 11, Otara Road
- Hours: Monday to Friday: 7.45am - 5.00pm
- Email: child.centre@manukau.ac.nz
- Phone: (09) 968 7715
Fees
The following fees are effective from January 2011
Centre 1 (2-5 Years) $190 per week
Centre 2 (0-2 Years) $195 per week
ECE hours for 3-4 years $120 per week
1 or 2 sessions per week $26 per session
3 to 6 sessions per week $24 per session
7 to 9 sessions per week $21 per session
One session is equivalent to one half day of child-care; either 7.45am – 12pm or 12pm – 5pm.
For more information, please download our Children's Education Centre brochure.
Available spaces
The children's education centre serves the students and staff of Manukau Institute of Technology with some children enrolled from the local community. There is a strong demand for our service and the waiting list exceeds one year.
Minimum hours attendance per week: 4
Maximum hours attendance per week: 46
Our Philosophy
Our centre has an inclusive policy. Ramps are provided throughout the centre for children who may need physical assistance. Our centre works closely with specialised agencies to support children with special learning needs.
Manukau Institute of Technology Children’s Education Centre’s philosophy is based on the belief that each child and family is unique. Respect for the community, environment and for each child, family and teacher is strongly valued and practised.
We believe that children learn by following their interest areas and we aim to provide opportunities and learning experiences to promote and enhance their knowledge.
Our programme follows Te Whäriki, our national curriculum document. This aims to ensure that all children:
Grows up as confident, competent learners and communicators, healthy in mind, body and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging and in the knowledge that they make a valuable contribution.
As it complements Te Whäriki, aspects of Reggio Emilia are incorporated into the centre’s values and programme.
These include:
- looking at the image of the child (how the child thinks and views the world)
- promoting a sense of respect for each child, family and teacher
- encouraging the child to be the researcher
- developing the environment as the third teacher
- valuing parent partnership for promoting the child’s learning and wellbeing.
To support children’s transition to school, the centre enjoys a partnership with a local school. Children who are nearly five years old spend a morning each week in the new entrant classroom. We found this to be of benefit to all involved in developing a deeper understanding of the pedagogical approaches of both educational settings.
Staff
The centre employs 15 full-time (including Diploma of Teaching ECE, Bachelor of Education, Graduate Diploma of Education ECE) qualified and registered teachers. The supporting staff includes part time students, a manager, an administrator, a chef and kitchen assistant.
Currently all are female from several ethnic groups: Maori, Chinese, Korean, Indian, and Samoan, thus we are able to offer these languages in our centre.
This centre is also used as a practicum venue for ECE students from recognised learning institutions. These students ensure that teachers keep abreast of current thinking and teaching practice, and students benefit from the experience of centre teaching staff.
Management
The childcare centre is community based and under the umbrella of Manukau Institute of Technology and is part of Student Affairs. The Institute’s Council is legally responsible for the centre.
Any review in policy is a collaborative approach; families, teachers and management. Family/whanau opinions are seriously considered. Consultation on any changes to fee structure takes place six months prior to implementation. This provides opportunity for dialogue and discussion about the rationale for any increase.
Grouping
For the safety of our babies, there is some security between their room and the toddlers indoor play area. However, the separating wall is low and communication between siblings and teachers is possible.
The over two centre has two large rooms which are open and accessible for all children over two years. One of these rooms is used for quieter activities and/or access to computers. Children over the age of two years are not separated during the day except for rest periods.
However, to ensure individual learning interests, skills and abilities are recognised and opportunities and possibilities for extending learning are met, primary teachers are assigned to the different age groups, enabling a stronger relationship with families. Although all teachers contribute to the children’s portfolios, the primary teachers do lead the assessment and planning for their group and especially for the individual child.
Features
The centre community is multicultural and this is reflected in many aspects of the centre environment and there is a strong sense of belonging for children and families. Children are encouraged to use positive conflict resolutions and behaviour expectations are high. The children are confident and capable learners.
The centre places high value on supporting children’s literacy. Writing materials and books are placed both indoors and outdoors throughout the centre. The home library service fosters a home centre partnership for emerging literacy opportunities.
The ERO Report (June 2010) described the environment as vibrant, aesthetically pleasing and stimulating. It is well resourced which includes natural materials.
Manukau Institute of Technology Children’s Centre is very proud of its spacious natural outdoor environment for children. This provides wonderful opportunities for physical activity, for exploration and for working with natural science, such as the children’s edible garden.
