PARENT INFORMATION
Everything you need to know
Parent Help
Parent help is essential for the smooth running of the Crèche. We ask parents (or the child's grandparents, relatives or caregivers) to sign up for one parent help per term for each weekly session the child attends, i.e. if your child attends two sessions per week, we ask that you help out at the Crèche twice a term.
When on parent help duty you will be expected to complete tasks such as preparing the children's morning tea and helping with lunch so that the staff are able to concentrate on the supervision and teaching of the children.
At Epsom Community Crèche we emphasise the importance of our relationship with parents and families. Because of this we benefit from a supportive community of families who enhance our Crèche in a unique way.
A roster is made available prior to each new term for parents to indicate the sessions that they are able to help.
Our children definitely benefit from seeing their parents involvement and interest in the Crèche.
Why get involved?
Parent involvement creates an opportunity for you to see your child in the Crèche environment, and share and support the experiences that have become part of your child’s life at Epsom Community Crèche.
Parent involvement is an opportunity for you to learn more about and better understand the programme at Epsom Community Crèche.
Parent involvement is an opportunity for you to discuss your child's progress with our teaching staff.
Notify Crèche of Absence – please text - 022 129 5331
Our mobile phone number is above. We would like to encourage all our parents and whanau to use our mobile phone as the first point of contact to let us know of a last minute absence. Please txt in to notify Debbie, Charlotte and Tina if your child will be absent for a session or if you are running late for drop off or pick up. Txt are the easiest way for us to check for absences and respond if needed while we are in session. Please be aware that we will txt families whose children are due in session and we have not heard from you and your child is not here by 10am. This is so that we can confirm everything is okay. You can still email for absences that you know about in advance. If you have any questions about this please talk with Debbie, Charlotte and Tina. The mobile will also be used for Crèche excursions.
Leaving Epsom Community Crèche
Please complete the 'Leaving Advice Form' further down the page. Please note that if you give less than two weeks’ notice, you automatically forfeit the bond refund.
Helping Your Child Settle In
We welcome parents to attend sessions and expect that you will stay with your child until you and we feel they are happy and settled. This initial settling process is vital and the time it takes varies from child to child. We also appreciate it if you can spend a short while at the start of each session settling your child into play. You are welcome to join us in songs and music at the end of the session.
What Does My Child Need For Each Session?
Please ensure that your child has a named bag containing:
A change of clothes (please name all clothes, hats and bags)
A piece of fruit for morning or afternoon tea
A sunhat (please pre-apply sunscreen (SPF 15+) in summer)
Gumboots in the winter
Who Can Collect My Child?
On the Enrolment Form you listed specific persons authorised to collect your child, and anyone who may not. Government regulations require you to give written notification should you wish any other person to collect your child. We are sure you will appreciate the need to comply on this matter.
Funding
Epsom Community Crèche is a non-profit organization. We receive some government funding, but largely rely on the parent fees each term. Fundraising activities are planned several times a year to fund particular projects, equipment purchases and upgrades, etc.
Immunisation
Government regulations require us to see your child's immunisation record at enrolment, and to record details from it. Please bring this record along at the start of the first session.
Illness
Children with severe colds, diarrhoea, vomiting or infectious diseases must not attend Crèche. Sick children will not benefit from attending, and we are obliged to prevent the spread of infection to other children. Please notify Crèche teachers if your child is unwell and unable to attend. The Crèche teachers reserve the right to ask parents to take visibly unwell children home.
In a medical emergency, your child will be taken to the nearest medical centre. You will be contacted immediately, so please ensure that you sign in for each session, and leave a contact number. Your child's doctor will not ordinarily be contacted. The Crèche has first-aid trained teachers, and a first aid kit for the treatment of minor injuries.
FUNDRAISING
Grants and Sponsors
We are fortunate in New Zealand that the government provides funding to help cover our teachers’ salaries and some of the general day-to-day running costs of our Crèche. Session fees, community grants and fundraising are necessary to provide a higher standard to resources to maintain and replace equipment and materials, develop grounds and buildings, and continue the high standards that we are so proud of. Fundraising activities are held throughout the year and the teachers and Epsom Community Creche Management Committee work hard at making these relevant, interesting and fun.
Some of our successful fundraising events have included:
Raffles
Fotoman (family portraits)
The Christmas Heirloom Decoration Night
Practical Parenting Evening
Teeny Tot Tiles
Bunnings Mt Roskill Sausage Sizzle
​Rialto Movie Nights
Our 2018 Fundraising Events
Term 1 Starts: Wed 31 January
Fundraiser - TBA
Term 1 Ends: Friday 13th April
Term 2 Starts: Mon 30 April
Samosa Fundraiser - 11th May 2018
Sausage Sizzle Fundraiser - Sunday - 24th June 2018, Bunnings Warehouse, Mt Roskill
Term 2 Ends: Fri 6 July

Term 3 Starts: Mon 23 July
Movie Night - TBA
Fotoman @ Creche - Saturday TBA
Term 3 Ends: Fri 28 September
Term 4 Starts: Mon 15 October
Christmas Hamper Raffles - Wednesday 19th December 2018, Epsom Community Creche
Term 4 Ends: Wed 19th December
Epsom Community Creche Christmas Raffle - Wednesday 13th December 2017
Thank you to our wonderful Management Committee who worked tirelessly over the last few weeks organising Christmas raffle. A special thank you to Jen Maher and our chairperson, Kaylene Froggatt who oversaw all of this. Also a big thank you for our Creche parents and families for their continued support, donating goods and selling raffle tickets. $1670 was raised. Thank you all for an amazing effort, we will be using this money towards refreshing our sandpit area and resources over 2018.
​We would like to sincerely thank the following local businesses and individuals for their support of our Christmas Hamper Raffle.
We would also like to sincerely thank the following local businesses and individuals for their support of our 2017 Christmas Hamper Raffle.
Thank you fro the donations from Ross Miller Swim School, Tusk, Baby Factory, Essential Deli, Bunnings, Nutrimetics, Linez Direct, City... Cake Company, Timeout Bookstore, Speedy Rhino, Dominos and all our Creche families.
It would be great if you could give these local businesses your support.
Please see below our lucky winners.
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1st Gourmet Food Hamper (value approx $200)
Bush Family
2nd Gourmet Food Hamper (value approx $200)
Maher Family
3rd Ross Miller Swim School (value $160)
Battson Family
4th Baby Factory Voucher (value $100)
Caldwell Family
5th Bunnings Voucher (value $100)
6th Tusk Restaurant Voucher and Wine (value $100)
Bowkett Family
7th Speedy Rhino Mum's Spa Gift Pack (value $95)
Simmons Family
8th Essential Deli Hamper
Maureen Baines
9th Nutrimetics Gift Basket
Whitburn Family
10th Kids Wheelbarrow and garden pack
Maher family
11th City Cake Company Voucher & Linez Direct Tea Towel set
Shack Family
12th Reading Rug and Tie out Bookstore Gift
Caldwell Family
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13th Mystery Giftpack (wine, perfume, tea towel set)
Buddell Family
GRANTS
We are fortunate in New Zealand that the government provides funding to help cover teachers’ salaries and much of the general day-to-day running cost of our Crèche. Session fees, community grants and fundraising are necessary to provide a higher standard of resources, to replace equipment and materials, develop grounds and buildings, and maintain the high standards we are so proud of.
Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS) Grant 2018
Epsom Community Crèche would like to thank COGS for their grant of $2,000 excl GST. COGS have again generously allocated Crèche this grant to help continue to fund our Office Administrator, for the coming year. This is a big help for Crèche and we appreciate the continued support from COGS.
2017/2018 Albert-Eden Quick Response, Round Three​ Grant
Epsom Community Crèche would like to thank the Albert-Eden Local Board for their grant of $1,000 (not subject to GST) for technology to assist running our Community Creche. This grant will be used to purchase new laptops for our teaching staff. This is a big help for Crèche and we appreciate the continued support from the Albert-Eden Local Board.
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2017/2018 Albert-Eden Quick Response, Round Two​ Grant
Epsom Community Crèche would like to thank the Albert-Eden Local Board for their grant of $1,500 (not subject to GST). This grant will be used to purchase equipment and supplies for our Messy Play Day community event on 10th March 2018. This is a big help for Crèche and we appreciate the continued support from the Albert-Eden Local Board.
​NIB Charitable Trust - September 2017
Epsom Community Crèche would like to thank the NIB Charitable Trust for their generous grant of $590 to further enhance our Crèche environment. This grant has been used to purchase a water tank, pavers, plants and children's gardening tools and gloves for our new garden bed. We appreciate their on going support.
​Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS) Grant 2016
Epsom Community Crèche would like to thank COGS for their grant of $2,875 incl GST. COGS have again generously allocated Crèche this grant to help continue to fund our Office Administrator, for the coming year. This is a big help for Crèche and we appreciate the continued support from COGS.
Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS) Grant 2015
Epsom Community Crèche would like to thank COGS for their grant of $1,150.00 incl GST. COGS have generously allocated Crèche this grant to help continue to fund our Office Administrator, for the coming year. This is a big help for Crèche and we appreciate the continued support from COGS.
Pub Charity Limited - July 2015
Epsom Community Crèche would like to thank Pub Charity Limited for their generous grant of $305.00 to allow us to purchase new t-shirts for our Crèche teachers. We really appreciate their support.
Four Winds Foundation Limited - May 2015
Epsom Community Crèche would like to thank the Four Winds Foundation for their generous grant of $1,240 to allow us to upgrade our Crèche camera's and purchase a designated laptop for our Crèche Administrator. We appreciate their support.
NIB Charitable Trust - January 2015
Epsom Community Crèche would like to thank the NIB Charitable Trust for their generous grant of $750 to further enhance our Crèche environment. This grant has been used to purchase paint for the repainting of our outdoor playground, boxes, boat and sandpit cupboards. We appreciate their support.
Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS) Grant 2014
Epsom Community Crèche would like to acknowledge COGS for their continued support of funding for our Office Administrator. We really appreciate their grant of $2,067.70 incl GST for the coming year. This is a big help for Crèche and we appreciate the continued support from COGS.
Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS) Grant 2013
Epsom Community Crèche would like to thank COGS for their grant of $3,153.30 incl GST. COGS have generously allocated Crèche this grant to help continue to fund our Office Administrator, for the coming year. This is a big help for Crèche and we appreciate the continued support from COGS.