EPSOM COMMUNITY CRECHE
Not-for-Profit, Community Based, Licensed Early Childhood Centre
Welcome to our friendly, vibrant, community-based early childhood centre. We have been operating in the heart of Epsom for over 30 years.
Children are able to start at Epsom Community Crèche from the age of 2.
We aim to provide a loving, stimulating, fun and safe environment for your child to begin their educational journey. We support your child as they move through their developmental stages and discover the many wonders of our big wide world. Our experienced and qualified staff are passionate about providing the guidance and care children need in this home away from home environment.
2 YEARS OLD AND UP!
2 YEAR OLD - $28 PER SESSION
3 YEAR OLD - $25 PER SESSION
9AM-12:30PM MONDAY - FRIDAY
WE LIMIT OUR CLASS SIZE TO 15
WE BELIEVE BRIGHT CHILDREN DON'T STUDY. THEY PLAY.
ABOUT US
Learn & Explore
Epsom Community Crèche, operating in the heart of Epsom for over 30 years, is a vibrant, community-based early childhood centre that provides care and education for children from the age of two.
Many children start their early childhood education journey with us, enjoying our sessions that are short in length and big on activity, before stepping up to longer days at our local kindergartens and childcare centres.
We’re unique in that our Crèche is one of the only local early childhood centre that offer morning sessions to children from the age of two years old.
The Crèche’s three teachers, two for each session, supported by parent helpers, offer children a nurturing environment as they take their first steps into the wider world.
We offer a wide variety of activities and equipment for play in art and painting, music, books, puzzles, family play, play dough, sand and water, nature/science, and outdoor physically active play. During the session opportunity exists for group, parallel and individual play. Whilst children are free to select their own activities, they are encouraged to get involved, to persevere and complete tasks, and to try new things.
Our programme is planned to foster the development and creativity of each child. Play and learning are self-paced and self-directed, with children being guided and encouraged through activities. Positive values such as sharing, caring and co-operation with others are fostered.
The Crèche programme is based on the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum, Te Whāriki. Through our weekly Facebook updates, emails, group learning stories on the walls, discussions with our parents, and your children's portfolios, we aim to share with parents some of the learning that is taking place.
OPENING HOURS
Come Visit
Mon: 9:00am - 12:30pm
Tue: 9:00am - 12:30pm
Wed: 9:00am - 12:30pm
Thu: 9:00am - 12:30pm
Fri: 9:00am - 12:30pm
CRECHE ROUTINE
We recommend children attend a minimum of two sessions per week, as we believe this helps children settle into the Crèche routines and the development of their independence and friendships within the Crèche community is enhanced.
Session Routine
9.00 am- 10.15 am - Welcome, settling and children enjoy free play
10.15 am - 10.45 am - Children come together for shared fruit, singing, rhymes and stories
10.45 am - 11.45 am - Children enjoy free play
11.45 am - 12.30 pm - Tidy up, lunch and ka kite time (singing and stories before home time)
Term Dates 2019
Term One 2019 - Mondy 4th February to Friday 12 April 2019
Term Two 2019 – Monday 29 April to Friday 5 July 2019
Term Three 2019 – Monday 22 July to Friday 27 September 2019
Term Four 2019 - Monday 14 October to Wednesday 18 December 2019
Holidays
The Crèche is closed during school holidays and public holidays, and our term times approximate the primary school calendar, running around ten weeks. You will be advised of the dates for each term in advance.
FEES
Fees for two year olds are $28.00 per session
Fees for three year olds, enrolled under the 20 Hours ECE scheme, are $25.00 per session
A $60 bond is payable on the first session to secure your place
A one-off $25 portfolio fee and the term fees are payable two weeks after being invoiced. The bond will be returned to you when your child leaves the crèche
Payments During Absences From Crèche
Crèche fees are charged for booked sessions each term. Full rates are charged for all absences from Crèche, i.e. sickness, and family holidays. You will not be charged for any days or weeks that Crèche is closed during the year, which includes all public holidays.
WINZ Subsidies
You may qualify for assistance with childcare costs from Work and Income. To find out more visit their website at www.workingforfamilies.govt.nz
EPSOM COMMUNITY CRECHE TEAM
Highly Qualified
DEBBIE MCGURK
Head Teacher
Hi, my name is Debbie McGurk and I am Head Teacher at Epsom Community Crèche. I am a qualified, fully registered teacher with a Bachelor of Education – Teaching (Early Childhood) from Auckland University. I completed my degree in 2007 and worked for two years at St Lukes Crèche before starting work here at Epsom Community Crèche in November 2009. I love working at the Crèche, getting to know the children and playing a small part in their early education. I have a daughter who is at university and a son who is at high school. I enjoy spending time with my husband and children, being involved in sports and fitness and reading a good book.
LOTTIE GOODWIN
Teacher
Hello, my name is Lottie Goodwin, I am a qualified, provisionally registered teacher. I have worked at Creche for just over a year and am loving it. I am working towards my full registration as a teacher after completing my Bachelors of Early Childhood Education at Unitec in 2016. My brother and I are the third generation of teachers in our family, and we have both moved from Muriwai Beach into Auckland Central. Teaching is something I have always wanted to do, and with my passion for music and art, I cannot wait to create wonderful memories with your children here at Creche
TINA OLSEN
Teacher
Kia ora, my name is Tina Olsen and I am very happy to have joined the Epsom Community Crèche family in 2013. I originally hail from America but once I married a lad from New Zealand it was only a matter of time before we dropped anchor in this lovely part of the world. I arrived in Auckland at the end of 2003 and began teaching in a range of roles and contexts, both primary and secondary. I remained teaching teen mums in South Auckland for a period of 5 years and this is where I began engaging in early childhood, taking over the Parenting Programme which involved both mums and bubs. I took leave from teaching to have my 2 children. I am gradually re-entering the teaching sphere and I look forward to building relationships with each and every one of you while you are here at Epsom Community Crèche.
PHILOSOPHY
At Epsom Community Creche we believe that each child develops, not alone, but within interdependent relationships with thier family, whanau, wider community and learning community. We recognise the importance of family and cultural values and seek to work in reciprocal and responsive partnerships with parents and whanau. We value and respect the diversity of all chidlren as unique individuals and we strive for equal opportunities for all children.
We believe children are competent and active in their own learning, empowered to learn by making their own choices. We encourage children to be independent and confident learners. We support and encourage children to develop and practice caring, reciprocal relationships built on respect and trust.
Our teachers endeavour to establish trusting, reciprocal relationships with our children and their families. These relationships provide the foundation from which children construct a sense of self and learn valuable lessons about the world they live in.
Our curriculum aims to be spontaneous, unstructured, flexible and responsive to our children. We also strive to provide a balance of child-initiated learning experiences and consciously planned activities. We believe children learn and develop in a holistic way. The cognitive (Hinengaro), physical (Tinana), emotional (whatumanawa) and spiritual (Wairua) needs of children are interwoven within our ako (teaching and learning).
We value play as a medium for children to learn and begin to 'make sense' of their world in an emotionally and physically safe environment. Our children have the freedom to explore the natural environment, which plays a significant role in their physical and cognitive learning. Children are able to play undisturbed for lengthy periods and where predictable routines meet the children's developmental needs.
We believe all children have a right to develop knowledge and understanding of the dual heritage of Aotearoa/New Zealand. We endeavour to incorporate Maori values, culture and and language within our curriculum, including respect for and an appreciation of the nautral environment.
CONTACT US
200 Gillies Ave, Epsom, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
022 129 5331