Community-based Early Childhood Centres

Share Me

Community-based early childhood centres are ones that are registered as Incorporated Societies.  They may be run by a group of parents, a charitable organisation, a church, or a public institution such as school, hospital, or university.  Kindergarten Associations are an example of incorporated society groups providing community-based early childhood centres.

The main differences between a community-based centre and other centres

A community-based early childhood centre operates for the benefit of the community it serves. The funding the centre receives from the government, the fees parents pay, and any donations stay with the centre/ incorporated society. In general, therefore, parents can expect fees to be lower at a community-based centre and teacher salaries and working conditions to be better compared with centres in their area that are private and for-profit.

Parents can choose to put their name forward for nomination to be involved in the centre’s management committee.

The centre manager and teaching staff all work for the management committee and families using the centre. Should there be something you are not happy about in the operation of the centre, or something that these is adversely affecting your child, you will find as a parent that your concerns are listened to, and the centre will be responsive. In contrast, the owners of private centres are not accountable to parents and parents generally are not involved in decision-making.

You may also be interested in:

A copy of the My ECE Parents’ Checklist for Choosing a Quality Early Childhood Education and Care Service

Private early childhood centres

Shared childcare arrangements with another family

Taking your child to work

Au pairs

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More
articles

childcare subsidy baby children WINZ
Fees, Costs & Childcare Subsidies

Childcare Subsidy Assistance

The WINZ Childcare subsidy is the main form of financial assistance available to help New Zealand families pay the cost of childcare.   Families getting the

Read More »
Kohanga Reo for children, family and whanau
Options Available to Parents for Childcare

Te Kōhanga Reo

There are over 460 Kōhanga Reo throughout Aotearoa so chances are you will find one in your area. You will find the welcome mat is

Read More »
caring for child, crying, leaving child, self-soothing
Learning and Social-Emotional Issues

Leaving Children to Cry

Self-soothing when a person chooses to be alone and do this is one thing – but leaving children to cry when care should be provided

Read More »

Join the Parents Council

Are you are parent, grandparent, or caregiver of a child under 6 years?    

Join the ECE Parents Council.   You will receive:

  • A monthly newsletter (free)
  • Survey invitations and notifications of important changes in ECE

We promise not to spam you with rubbish, just useful information.