What does my child need to bring to the Educator’s home?
Each day your child will need to bring:
- A bag with your child’s name clearly printed
- A change of clothes
- Sun hat and sunscreen
- Food and a water bottle
- Nappies or pull-up pants
- Baby wipes
- Pillowcases, sheet and blanket for sleep time
- Please make sure to name all of your child’s belongings.
What professional training does Baby Kingdoms provide for Educators?
All our Educators have completed young children’s first aid course. We provide ongoing training, from workshops through to the New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education & Care (Level 4), which is also available for all our Educators. They are also supported by our ECE registered teacher, who will visit at least once per month to ensure our Educators meet the Ministry of Education standard.
How does Baby Kingdoms ensure the home environment is safe for my children?
Safety and hygiene are essential when caring for children. We assess, and improve each home environment, and support our Educators and family to ensure they meet health and safety standards set by the Ministry of Education (MoE).
As a quick reference:
- The property must have a fully enclosed yard
- Any pools, spas, lakes, and streams must be fully fenced
- Any heating source, such as a fireplace or heater, must be guarded
- All pets must have a safe place away from the children
- Homes with stairs, decks, and terraced gardens must be made safe for children.
How much does it cost to enrol my child through Baby Kingdoms?
It’s FREE! There are no fees or charges associated with enrolling your child through Baby Kingdoms.
Does Baby Kingdoms provide nursery items, or do I need to have my own?
Baby Kingdoms will offer you advice on what you need to get your child settle. Your Educator may provide your child with nursery items such as nappies, baby wipes or food. This can be discussed with your Educator and there will be an optional charge which is available on the enrolment form.
How many children can an Educator care for at one time?
All our home-based Educators will only care for up to four children. Of those four children, there can be no more than two children under the age of two.
What events and outings will my child attend?
Each Educator provides a different schedule of activities. Your Educator will discuss that with you each time. We will ensure our Educators have your approval for any regular events such as weekly Play School sessions, and again for any ‘special’ excursions, prior to the outing taking place.
What about preparing children for school?
Preparing for school is an important part of ECE. With the support of our Educators and ECE registered teacher, you can discuss any specific aspirations for your child. We help you with all ages and stages of a child’s development and work with a range of people and organisations.
Can I access the 20 hours ECE subsidy through Baby Kingdoms?
Yes – children in our service aged three to six (not yet enrolled at school) are eligible for the “20 hours ECE” government subsidy. Your coordinator will talk you through the process. We’ll contact you prior to the child’s third birthday to begin the application process. They will need an updated Enrolment Agreement with Baby Kingdoms to access these additional subsidies. You may be able to access other government agency subsidies, such as Work and Income New Zealand (W&I) childcare subsidies and multiple birth home help payments.
What happens if my child is sick?
In case your child feels unwell our Educators can perform a temperature screening. Sometimes the child may start having symptoms during the day and our Educators may inform you to pick up your child early. We understand this may not be convenient but when it comes to your child’s health, is better to be safe than sorry.
We strongly recommend your child see a doctor for the following symptoms:
1) Fever
2) Vomiting or diarrhoea
3) Bad pain
4) Coughing that won’t stop.
What if I have a complaint or concern?
We are committed to providing quality care, but if you are unhappy with the service provided by Baby Kingdoms, we encourage you to please contact your local Baby Kingdoms Community Team to discuss your concern. Baby Kingdoms has a Complaints and Concerns Policy, and your Community Team will guide you through a support process to address your concern, including offering a Complaints and Concerns form to complete and submit. A list of all Baby Kingdoms’ policies is available on our website, with copies available on request.
What are the requirements to be an Educator?
First, you need a love for children and a passion for growing little minds! You will also need:
- A clear police check
- A clear police check for anyone over 17 years old in your home (Home Educators only)
- New Zealand citizenship or hold a working holiday visa
- A young children’s first aid certificate (we can help you gain this before you start)
- A safe home in which to look after children.
Baby Kingdoms welcomes anyone over the age of 17 years. Our Educators include stay-at-home parents/carers and grandparents, early childhood teachers and foster families.
Do I need a qualification to be an Educator?
No – you will be well supported in your role by a registered teacher, who will visit at least once per month, and is also available via phone and email if you have any questions or need guidance. We provide ongoing opportunities to build your skills, from workshops through to the New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education & Care (Level 4), which is available and free to all Educators. Please note that you need to be a New Zealand resident to enrol in this course, or an Australian citizen or permanent resident currently residing in New Zealand.
To provide care from my home, what do I need to do to make it safe for children?
Safety and hygiene are essential when caring for children. We fully support you in what is required to make your home safe. We work with you to meet health and safety standards set by the Ministry of Education (MoE).
As a quick reference:
- The property must have a fully enclosed yard
- Any pools, spas, lakes, and streams must be fully fenced
- Any heating source, such as a fireplace or heater, must be guarded
- All pets must have a safe place away from the children
- Homes with stairs, decks, and terraced gardens must be made safe for children (methods of ensuring safety will vary based on the nature of the environment, such as access to, and heights of structures – we will work through this with you).
How do I get started as an Educator with Baby Kingdoms?
Give us a call. We’ll walk you through the requirements of becoming a Baby Kingdoms Educator – this will include things like Police checks, Health and Safety and first aid. We’ll then get you to complete some documentation, and arrange a coordinator to meet with you to explain what is involved and answer any other questions you may have.
How much does it cost to register as an Educator through Baby Kingdoms?
It’s FREE! There are no fees or charges associated with registering to work as an Educator through Baby Kingdoms.
Does Baby Kingdoms provide the required equipment, or do I need to have my own?
Baby Kingdoms will offer you advice on what you need to get set up, and can loan you equipment for a period while you source your own. We regularly stock our Educators up with paint and craft supplies. We also have a range of resource boxes available for loan at any time that links the play ideas into Te Whāriki, New Zealand’s ECE curriculum. Your coordinator will regularly provide you with fun play ideas and resource sheets using nature and your local community.
How many children am I able to care for at one time?
The MoE requirement for home-based care is up to four children from birth to age five (not yet enrolled in school). Of those four children, there can be no more than two children under the age of two. This includes your own children if they are under six.
Am I able to register as an Educator with Baby Kingdoms to look after other family members’ children?
Yes, most certainly. Many of our Educators look after family members and whānau (for example grandchildren, nephews or nieces) through Baby Kingdoms. You can register with Baby Kingdoms as a Family Educator, and gain access to free resources, Playschools, professional development and benefit from regular visits from a trained teacher. You can also choose whether you would like to care for children from other families at any stage.
What events and outings can I attend with the children I care for?
We offer some of the best activities and events throughout the country. Each Community Team provides a different schedule of activities, and you will receive a flyer outlining those relevant to your region from your coordinator. You will need to ensure you get approval from the parent or caregiver of children in your care to attend ‘regular’ events such as weekly Playschools sessions, and again for any ‘special’ excursions, prior to the outing taking place. You will be informed of these through flyers, emails, or your monthly coordinator visits. We always welcome family and extended family to attend anytime (including days when their child is not enrolled in care).
What about preparing children for school?
Preparing for school is an important part of ECE. With the support of your coordinator, and once you have discussed any specific aspirations for the child directly with their parents. We help you with all ages and stages of a child’s development and work with a range of people and organisations such as using Infant Mental Health Specialists to ensure you have what you need to grow little minds at home.
What professional development can I access?
Our focus and belief is on quality training and quality relationships. We can offer you home-based specific training that is relevant to your daily roles. We have many courses covering infant brain development, communication, relationships, behaviour, sleep, play, and much more. Your coordinator is also in frequent contact with you to provide support, advice, and expertise in the care and education of children. All Educators are encouraged to complete the Baby Kingdoms Certification Pathway which includes a free New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education & Care (Level 4), and continued professional development through a range of workshops courses and networking opportunities.
Does Baby Kingdoms support Educators with ongoing training?
Yes! Baby Kingdoms offers a range of short courses aimed at providing both Educators and Baby Kingdoms families with the skills and knowledge to support children to be happy, healthy and resilient. You can find out more about the courses available by contacting our team for details.
Can families access the 20 hours ECE subsidy through Baby Kingdoms?
Yes – children in your service aged three to six (not yet enrolled at school) are eligible for the “20 hours ECE” government subsidy. Your coordinator will talk you through the process. We’ll contact the families prior to the child’s third birthday to begin the application process. They will need an updated Enrolment Agreement with Baby Kingdoms to access these additional subsidies. Families may be able to access other government agency subsidies, such as Work and Income New Zealand (W&I) childcare subsidies and multiple birth home help payments. These must be administered by Baby Kingdoms through our payroll administration service.
What are my Home Educator Conditions of Service?
Because you are self-employed, you can set your own conditions of service, including your opening hours, rates, and holiday periods. It’s important that you discuss and agree to these terms when meeting with new families, prior to commencing care. Some conditions apply to rates of pay for 20 hours of ECE. Please check with your Community Team.
What support do I get to fill my childcare space vacancy?
Baby Kingdoms has many ways to help you fill your childcare spaces. Your Educator profile will be listed on the Baby Kingdoms website and used to help match you with families. We can offer Facebook advertising, signage, flags, brochures, and flyer to support you to market your business.
What happens to the children I care for if I am sick or I take a holiday?
If you are unable to open your childcare service or are away on holiday, Baby Kingdoms can sometimes provide relief care for children in your service through another Educator, or some families may choose to make their own childcare arrangements while you are closed. You may also choose to arrange relief care with other Educators you know of that have spaces available. This will be deemed ‘Educator Unavailable’ (EU) and the family will not be required to pay you for the hours their child/children would normally be in care.
What happens if I have an emergency and need to close my service?
In the event of an emergency, whether it is of a personal nature or within your childcare service, contact your Community Team immediately. They can provide a short-term cover, and arrange relief care if required. This will also be deemed ‘Educator Unavailable’ (EU) and the family will not be required to pay you for the hours their child/children would normally be in care.
Can I work in my home with a friend, both of us caring for children together?
In accordance with health and safety regulations for children in care, the home is licensed for up to four pre-school children, so it may be possible that more than one Educator is in the house.
What are the tax obligations and tax benefits for a Home Educator?
Being a self-employed Educator means you will be required to pay your own tax and ACC levies. You will also work in partnership with Baby Kingdoms to actively engage with your community to promote Baby Kingdoms and your service. As well as payment for childcare, when you work with Baby Kingdoms, you also receive additional tax benefits. Certain expenditures incurred in providing a home-based childcare service (whether you own your home or rent it) are tax-deductible. These deductions significantly reduce your taxable income and make choosing the Home Educator model extremely attractive!
Do I have to register as a self-employed contractor with the IRD?
No, usually you don’t have to register this change with the IRD, but there may be a change in the forms you will be required to complete at the end of the tax year.
What if I have a complaint or concern?
We are committed to providing quality care, but if you are unhappy with the service provided by Baby Kingdoms, we encourage you to please contact your local Baby Kingdoms Community Team to discuss your concern. Baby Kingdoms has a Complaints and Concerns Policy, and your Community Team will guide you through a support process to address your concern, including offering a Complaints and Concerns form to complete and submit. All copies of Baby Kingdoms’ policies are available on request.
Do I require an accountant to file my annual tax return?
No, you don’t require any professional assistance from an accountant to file your annual tax return. We do advise that you may wish to seek the advice of a tax consultant/professional if, at any stage, there are things you require clarification around when preparing your tax return.