We know you have questions!
That’s only natural when leaving your child with someone else. Let us put your mind at ease.
How We Do Things
What happens at Before School Care?
The parents drop off their children to the school their child attends, either the Brookfield School (Te Kura o Manunui) hall or Bethlehem Primary School Hall. At both schools we offer a full session from 7am-8.30am which includes breakfast or a short session from 8.00-8.30am which does not include breakfast. **(8.45 am finish @ Brookfield school)
The full session children have breakfast and then after they can play with a variety of equipment. The children are released to leave at 8.30am (8.45am @ Brookfield school). All 5 and 6 year olds are walked to class by a Kids Inc staff member, who will help the child get their book bag, and water bottle out of their bag and if needed, help the child to settle in for the day.
What happens at After School Care?
Brookfield School (Te Kura o Manunui) children come to the hall at the end of the day when the school bell rings. We sign the children into the programme and any children that have not arrived we follow up where they are.
Bethlehem children go to the meeting area (the big tree by the hall and staff carpark). They get roll called into the Kids Inc vans and transported back to the Brookfield School Hall where they will spend the afternoon.
Intermediate School children either take the school bus, bike or walk to the Brookfield School Hall.
In the afternoon once the children have arrived at the hall, they wash their hands and have afternoon tea. After afternoon tea there are a variety of activities set up each day that the children can choose to participate in, e.g playing outside on the playgrounds, sandpits or fields, swimming, doing craft and art activities, construction toys, family play, cooking or baking.
What happens for School Holiday Programmes?
Each school holidays the team at Kids Inc come together and plan activities for each day of the School Holiday Programmes. The activities are safe, age appropriate, entertaining, engaging and fun. The days are either based at Brookfield School or are trip days to venues around the Bay of Plenty. Kids Inc provides afternoon tea each day.
The parents drop off the children to the Brookfield School Hall (Te Kura o Manunui). The children separate into age groups and complete the planned activities. Juniors are 5 years to 8 years old and Seniors are 9 year to 13 year olds.
What happens if an outdoor activity is planned in school holidays and then it’s raining that day?
If an activity is cancelled due to weather or another unforeseen circumstance, Kids Inc management will arrange another suitable activity to do instead.
Are your staff trained to supervise water based activities?
Yes all our staff are trained in the OSCAR Network Water Programme as well as the Water Safety Awareness Training Programme.
I am already booked for a School Holiday Programme day, can I swap this to another day?
We require one weeks notice for cancellations or changes.
Unfortunately once a School Holiday Programme day is booked, parents are unable to swap to another day. We roster our staff in advance to ensure we have the correct child / staff ratios so we can safely run our programmes. On trip days, venues and transport are pre-booked.
The parents drop off their children to the school their child attends, either the Brookfield School (Te Kura o Manunui) hall or Bethlehem Primary School Hall. At both schools we offer a full session from 7am-8.30am which includes breakfast or a short session from 8.00-8.30am which does not include breakfast. **(8.45 am finish @ Brookfield school)
The full session children have breakfast and then after they can play with a variety of equipment. The children are released to leave at 8.30am (8.45am @ Brookfield school). All 5 and 6 year olds are walked to class by a Kids Inc staff member, who will help the child get their book bag, and water bottle out of their bag and if needed, help the child to settle in for the day.
What happens at After School Care?
Brookfield School (Te Kura o Manunui) children come to the hall at the end of the day when the school bell rings. We sign the children into the programme and any children that have not arrived we follow up where they are.
Bethlehem children go to the meeting area (the big tree by the hall and staff carpark). They get roll called into the Kids Inc vans and transported back to the Brookfield School Hall where they will spend the afternoon.
Intermediate School children either take the school bus, bike or walk to the Brookfield School Hall.
In the afternoon once the children have arrived at the hall, they wash their hands and have afternoon tea. After afternoon tea there are a variety of activities set up each day that the children can choose to participate in, e.g playing outside on the playgrounds, sandpits or fields, swimming, doing craft and art activities, construction toys, family play, cooking or baking.
What happens for School Holiday Programmes?
Each school holidays the team at Kids Inc come together and plan activities for each day of the School Holiday Programmes. The activities are safe, age appropriate, entertaining, engaging and fun. The days are either based at Brookfield School or are trip days to venues around the Bay of Plenty. Kids Inc provides afternoon tea each day.
The parents drop off the children to the Brookfield School Hall (Te Kura o Manunui). The children separate into age groups and complete the planned activities. Juniors are 5 years to 8 years old and Seniors are 9 year to 13 year olds.
What happens if an outdoor activity is planned in school holidays and then it’s raining that day?
If an activity is cancelled due to weather or another unforeseen circumstance, Kids Inc management will arrange another suitable activity to do instead.
Are your staff trained to supervise water based activities?
Yes all our staff are trained in the OSCAR Network Water Programme as well as the Water Safety Awareness Training Programme.
I am already booked for a School Holiday Programme day, can I swap this to another day?
We require one weeks notice for cancellations or changes.
Unfortunately once a School Holiday Programme day is booked, parents are unable to swap to another day. We roster our staff in advance to ensure we have the correct child / staff ratios so we can safely run our programmes. On trip days, venues and transport are pre-booked.
Staff
Are your staff trained?
Yes all our staff are First Aid trained, have been Police vetted, have completed training in: Child Protection, Health and Safety, Food Safety, Water Safety, Behaviour Management and Supervising children.
What are the staff to student ratios?
1:10 on site, 1:8 off site and 1:5/6 in water or a high risk activity.
Yes all our staff are First Aid trained, have been Police vetted, have completed training in: Child Protection, Health and Safety, Food Safety, Water Safety, Behaviour Management and Supervising children.
What are the staff to student ratios?
1:10 on site, 1:8 off site and 1:5/6 in water or a high risk activity.
My Child
My child has special needs, how do you cater for this?
We are not trained special needs teachers. However, we have a variety of staff from different backgrounds, skills, abilities that have experience working with children with special needs. We listen and work with the parent and child to support their needs and make their time at Kids Inc inclusive and fun. Please be aware we do not receive additional funding, nor do our staff have specific Special needs training. Our ratio is 1 staff to 10 children on site. Unfortunately, we are not able to cater for children that require one on one Supervision.
My child has dietary requirements
Kids Inc provides all food for dietary requirements. Parents DO NOT have to provide any food items, other than during the School Holiday Programme when all parents provide afternoon tea and lunch for their child.
What if my child requires medication?
Kids Inc staff are able to administer medication once the parent has completed a Medical Medication Consent Form.
What if my child is sick and can’t come to a booked session?
It's important if you child is going to be away for the day to either text or email to inform Kids Inc. We can mark them absent for the day. Absences are still charged. Our Absence mobile is 022 5437462 (022kidsinc)
What if I’m late picking up my child?
The closing time for After School Care and School Holiday Programmes is 5.45 pm. Please contact the closing staff on:
022 5437 462 (022kidsinc) if you are running late, as two staff must remain until your child is picked up.
There is a late fee of $10 for the first fifteen minutes then $5 per five minutes after that.
Can a friend or relative drop off or pick up my child?
Our online booking system Enrolmy is set up so you can put down authorised people to collect your child. You can add friends or relatives to your child’s profile easily by going to your parent portal in Enrolmy. If you need someone other than the people on this list, you can email, text or inform a staff member. We can not release your child to anyone without your permission.
How do you communicate with me about my child?
We love talking to parents about their child’s day and sharing positive stories of their time at Kids Inc. We also have a Facebook page which keeps parents informed of what's happening at Kids Inc. We also record all accidents/incidents that occur at Kids Inc and share this with the parent at the end of the day.
Does my child need to be vaccinated to attend?
This is not a Kids Inc. requirement. But please be aware if there is an outbreak of any disease that your child is not vaccinated for, (e.g. measles), then your child will need to stay home.
Is my child allowed to bring things like a phone or device to your programmes?
We ask that if a Senior child needs to have their phone with them, they are kept in their bag or in our Office. We do ask that expensive equipment and toys are not brought to Kids Inc as we will not be responsible for them.
How do I book my child in for a programme?
Once you have completed the Online Registration Procedure for yourself and your child you can then proceed to book into any of the Programmes we offer.
We are not trained special needs teachers. However, we have a variety of staff from different backgrounds, skills, abilities that have experience working with children with special needs. We listen and work with the parent and child to support their needs and make their time at Kids Inc inclusive and fun. Please be aware we do not receive additional funding, nor do our staff have specific Special needs training. Our ratio is 1 staff to 10 children on site. Unfortunately, we are not able to cater for children that require one on one Supervision.
My child has dietary requirements
Kids Inc provides all food for dietary requirements. Parents DO NOT have to provide any food items, other than during the School Holiday Programme when all parents provide afternoon tea and lunch for their child.
What if my child requires medication?
Kids Inc staff are able to administer medication once the parent has completed a Medical Medication Consent Form.
What if my child is sick and can’t come to a booked session?
It's important if you child is going to be away for the day to either text or email to inform Kids Inc. We can mark them absent for the day. Absences are still charged. Our Absence mobile is 022 5437462 (022kidsinc)
What if I’m late picking up my child?
The closing time for After School Care and School Holiday Programmes is 5.45 pm. Please contact the closing staff on:
022 5437 462 (022kidsinc) if you are running late, as two staff must remain until your child is picked up.
There is a late fee of $10 for the first fifteen minutes then $5 per five minutes after that.
Can a friend or relative drop off or pick up my child?
Our online booking system Enrolmy is set up so you can put down authorised people to collect your child. You can add friends or relatives to your child’s profile easily by going to your parent portal in Enrolmy. If you need someone other than the people on this list, you can email, text or inform a staff member. We can not release your child to anyone without your permission.
How do you communicate with me about my child?
We love talking to parents about their child’s day and sharing positive stories of their time at Kids Inc. We also have a Facebook page which keeps parents informed of what's happening at Kids Inc. We also record all accidents/incidents that occur at Kids Inc and share this with the parent at the end of the day.
Does my child need to be vaccinated to attend?
This is not a Kids Inc. requirement. But please be aware if there is an outbreak of any disease that your child is not vaccinated for, (e.g. measles), then your child will need to stay home.
Is my child allowed to bring things like a phone or device to your programmes?
We ask that if a Senior child needs to have their phone with them, they are kept in their bag or in our Office. We do ask that expensive equipment and toys are not brought to Kids Inc as we will not be responsible for them.
How do I book my child in for a programme?
Once you have completed the Online Registration Procedure for yourself and your child you can then proceed to book into any of the Programmes we offer.
Fees
and sending off
What are the fees?
See details here for Before and After School Care Fees as well as School Holiday Programme.
How can I pay the fees?
The two preferred methods of payment are Online Banking and Stripe Payments, see here for more details on payment options.
Do I get a discount if I book so many sessions?
Fulltime bookings for Before AND After School sessions (i.e. 5 mornings and 5 afternoons per week) receive a 10% discount. Families with two or more children, that pay in advance, are entitled to a 10% discount.
Holiday Programme family discount is 5% for 2 or more children or 10% if already attending term time. Must pay in advance.
What is your cancellation policy?
Absences are still charged as per the booking.
Before and After School Care: Cancellations require one full week’s notice and a cancellation fee of $10 will be charged.
School Holiday Programme: Once WINZ forms have been submitted, WINZ clients require two weeks’ notice and a cancellation fee of $10 will be charged.
No Refunds will be issued after the last day of the school term, unless you can provide a Medical Certificate.
This is because we hire staff in advance to ensure we have the correct child/staff ratios so we can safely run our Programmes.
If your child misses a day from the School Holiday Programme, we will not swap this day free of charge or issue a Refund.
Do you have any admin fees and how do they work/how are they charged?
There is a $5 per child or $10 per family Admin Fee for our processing and submitting directly to Work & Income, the WINZ Subsidy forms for School Holiday Programme and Term time.
What if I have an overdue account?
Overdue Invoices that are outstanding for 30 days from the invoice date will be subject to a 10% late payment fee.
If your account is overdue and requires debt collection, you will be liable for all and any legal and/or collection charges necessary to recover this amount plus fees.
What are the fees?
See details here for Before and After School Care Fees as well as School Holiday Programme.
How can I pay the fees?
The two preferred methods of payment are Online Banking and Stripe Payments, see here for more details on payment options.
Do I get a discount if I book so many sessions?
Fulltime bookings for Before AND After School sessions (i.e. 5 mornings and 5 afternoons per week) receive a 10% discount. Families with two or more children, that pay in advance, are entitled to a 10% discount.
Holiday Programme family discount is 5% for 2 or more children or 10% if already attending term time. Must pay in advance.
What is your cancellation policy?
Absences are still charged as per the booking.
Before and After School Care: Cancellations require one full week’s notice and a cancellation fee of $10 will be charged.
School Holiday Programme: Once WINZ forms have been submitted, WINZ clients require two weeks’ notice and a cancellation fee of $10 will be charged.
No Refunds will be issued after the last day of the school term, unless you can provide a Medical Certificate.
This is because we hire staff in advance to ensure we have the correct child/staff ratios so we can safely run our Programmes.
If your child misses a day from the School Holiday Programme, we will not swap this day free of charge or issue a Refund.
Do you have any admin fees and how do they work/how are they charged?
There is a $5 per child or $10 per family Admin Fee for our processing and submitting directly to Work & Income, the WINZ Subsidy forms for School Holiday Programme and Term time.
What if I have an overdue account?
Overdue Invoices that are outstanding for 30 days from the invoice date will be subject to a 10% late payment fee.
If your account is overdue and requires debt collection, you will be liable for all and any legal and/or collection charges necessary to recover this amount plus fees.
The Environment
Where at the school are you based?
We offer Before School Care at the old Brookfield Primary School Hall in Millers Road and a Before School Programme at Bethlehem Primary School Hall in Carmichael Road.
After school and the School Holiday Programme for all schools is based at the old Brookfield Primary School Hall.
How do you deal with behavioural problems?
We listen to each child to make them feel heard. We use the “timeout’ system with younger children and ensure if an apology is needed, that is made. We encourage open communication so any behaviour problems that occur we will talk to the parent on the day. If needed, older children are given an opportunity to “chill out” in a safe space and then brought back in to talk through what happened and give them a chance to put right whatever occurred.
What type of activities do the kids do?
We do all kinds of activities; they are child led and directed. For example, each day we have an outside area open weather dependent, the Brookfield School Pool is open in the summertime, we set up an art and craft table, play games, build with our varied construction equipment, play in the Family Play area and play board and card games. The resource room at Brookfield is loaded with all sorts of fun equipment that the children can use each day. Some of our more creative activities are: Sushi making, making craft boats, playing memory mat and baking mini cheesecakes, biscuits and waffles.
Do you provide food?
In the Before School full session, breakfast is provided by Kids Inc. In both the After School and School Holiday Programmes afternoon tea is supplied and water is always available.
Do you do special outings?
During the Before School and After School Programmes we remain on site. During the School Holiday Programmes we do many outings so the children can explore, engage and learn in our community.
Do you supervise homework?
Yes we can supervise and support homework being completed. We have limited time so we cannot do a child’s entire homework but are happy to complete a section or some area the parent would like us to focus on, e.g. reading or maths. If you would like your child to do homework with us, please let us know.
What’s your policy on sunblock?
In the After School Programme, hats are compulsory in the summer months and sunblock is applied before outside and swimming sessions.
In the School Holiday Programme hats must be worn outside and we ask parents to apply the first layer of sunblock to their child at home and then Kids Inc staff will apply sunblock at 10.00am, 11.50am and then again at 2.30pm.
Can I look at the Policies and Procedures for Kids Inc?
The Kids Inc Policies and Procedures are kept onsite at the Brookfield School Centre. Parents are welcome to request to view these during our operational hours when staff are available on site.
What is your complaints process?
Parents will be informed on enrolment that there is a Complaints Procedure. This will be included in information given to parents at enrolment and clearly displayed at the centre.
In general, if any parents have complaints about the programme or staff members, they should:
1. Approach the Centre Manager who will attempt to resolve the matter. (The Programme Manger may be approached initially if preferred.)
2. If the parent is still unsatisfied they should contact the Programme Manager.
3. Further concerns/complaints must be made in writing and must contain details of the grievance and desired outcomes. The Programme Manager will respond to the complaint within 14 days. Where possible, a mutually agreeable outcome will be sought.
If a parent wishes to take the matter further they can raise it with MSD Approvals, who are responsible for granting the programme approval as an OSCAR provider.
The Centre Manager will keep the Programme Manager informed of any verbal complaints received. The Centre Manager will maintain a register of complaints – both verbal and written.
We offer Before School Care at the old Brookfield Primary School Hall in Millers Road and a Before School Programme at Bethlehem Primary School Hall in Carmichael Road.
After school and the School Holiday Programme for all schools is based at the old Brookfield Primary School Hall.
How do you deal with behavioural problems?
We listen to each child to make them feel heard. We use the “timeout’ system with younger children and ensure if an apology is needed, that is made. We encourage open communication so any behaviour problems that occur we will talk to the parent on the day. If needed, older children are given an opportunity to “chill out” in a safe space and then brought back in to talk through what happened and give them a chance to put right whatever occurred.
What type of activities do the kids do?
We do all kinds of activities; they are child led and directed. For example, each day we have an outside area open weather dependent, the Brookfield School Pool is open in the summertime, we set up an art and craft table, play games, build with our varied construction equipment, play in the Family Play area and play board and card games. The resource room at Brookfield is loaded with all sorts of fun equipment that the children can use each day. Some of our more creative activities are: Sushi making, making craft boats, playing memory mat and baking mini cheesecakes, biscuits and waffles.
Do you provide food?
In the Before School full session, breakfast is provided by Kids Inc. In both the After School and School Holiday Programmes afternoon tea is supplied and water is always available.
Do you do special outings?
During the Before School and After School Programmes we remain on site. During the School Holiday Programmes we do many outings so the children can explore, engage and learn in our community.
Do you supervise homework?
Yes we can supervise and support homework being completed. We have limited time so we cannot do a child’s entire homework but are happy to complete a section or some area the parent would like us to focus on, e.g. reading or maths. If you would like your child to do homework with us, please let us know.
What’s your policy on sunblock?
In the After School Programme, hats are compulsory in the summer months and sunblock is applied before outside and swimming sessions.
In the School Holiday Programme hats must be worn outside and we ask parents to apply the first layer of sunblock to their child at home and then Kids Inc staff will apply sunblock at 10.00am, 11.50am and then again at 2.30pm.
Can I look at the Policies and Procedures for Kids Inc?
The Kids Inc Policies and Procedures are kept onsite at the Brookfield School Centre. Parents are welcome to request to view these during our operational hours when staff are available on site.
What is your complaints process?
Parents will be informed on enrolment that there is a Complaints Procedure. This will be included in information given to parents at enrolment and clearly displayed at the centre.
In general, if any parents have complaints about the programme or staff members, they should:
1. Approach the Centre Manager who will attempt to resolve the matter. (The Programme Manger may be approached initially if preferred.)
2. If the parent is still unsatisfied they should contact the Programme Manager.
3. Further concerns/complaints must be made in writing and must contain details of the grievance and desired outcomes. The Programme Manager will respond to the complaint within 14 days. Where possible, a mutually agreeable outcome will be sought.
If a parent wishes to take the matter further they can raise it with MSD Approvals, who are responsible for granting the programme approval as an OSCAR provider.
The Centre Manager will keep the Programme Manager informed of any verbal complaints received. The Centre Manager will maintain a register of complaints – both verbal and written.
