Carol Stovold Quality Kidz qualitykidz.co.nz

Making the right childcare choice for your child is never easy. There's so much to consider. Following on from last week, here's more childcare options to consider before you make a decision about which service will be the best benefit for your child and your family.

Nga kohanga reo

The translation of the words kohanga reo is ‘language nest'. This translation relates directly to one of the key objectives of the Kohanga Reo movement – the retention of the Maori language. Nga Kohanga Reo is an early childhood education and care centre where all education and instruction is delivered in Te Reo Maori, totally immersing children, from birth through to the age of six, in Maori language and tikanga (culture) in an effort to promote learning within a context/situation that is relevant to the children and which draws on Maori styles of learning and teaching. Nga Kohanga Reo is a whanau (family) dependent programme, parents and whanau are closely involved with children's development and learning. They are also responsible for the management, operation and everyday decision making. Parents are also encouraged to take part in the daily programme.

A'oga amata

Pacific early childhood centres were established initially to offer early educational benefits to children. The church has had a major role in the establishment of many of the a‘oga amata. Special characteristics of the a'oga amata are both its immersion programme, and its ‘community of learners' collaborative programme that has many parallels to the fundamental traditional Pacific institution of the aiga – or the extended family.

These centres were established so that families could feel secure in the knowledge that their culture was being valued, that children could speak the language of the home, and that families could belong and be part of the important stages of their children's learning and development in a way that empowered children and families to learn and grow. Values include, for example, service and responsibility (tautua), love and commitment (alofa) and respect (faaaloalo).

Crèches and Playgroups

Crèches and Playgroups, many of which are also taxpayer funded operate from local community halls, churches, schools, and other places. Some crèches are provided by businesses for the benefit of the parent to have someone care for their child whilst the parent is using the premises eg. shopping centres and gyms.

Playgroups are often run by parents and cater for groups of children from birth to school age and their parents. Typically they meet for one to five sessions each week to provide play and social opportunities for children. Playgroups can be certificated and may be less formal than other kinds of ECE services. Puna ko hungahunga are playgroups that are run with a Maori language and tikanga Maori focus (although some learning may be in both English and Maori).

Next Week: In-home childcare, nannies and au-pairs