Community Ownership: Parents likely have a strong say in how the service operates and what happens to children, all money earnt stays within it, and teachers may be paid better and childcare charges may be lower compared to most (but not necessarily all) private and corporate owned services. (Ask: Is it an Incorporated Society? Does it also have charitable status?)
Small Boutique Centre: Centres with 50 or fewer children make it easier for staff to provide a warm and nurturing environment, for children to have their individual needs met and skills, knowledge, and competencies extended. (Ask: For continuity of care and relationships, do children stay with the same group of children and teachers throughout their time at the service?)
100% Qualified Teacher Funded: All staff counted toward meeting the minimum adult-child ratio requirement must hold a practising certificate as a teacher if the service receives this level of Ministry of Education funding. (Ask: Does the service count teachers trained in the ECE of children birth to 5 years and not primary or secondary school trained teachers?)
Men Included on Teaching Staff (as at last year): There are strong benefits of having both men and women on the teaching team for the quality of care and education a service provides to children. Additionally, gender bias in staff recruitment and employment is not generally acceptable in society today. (Ask: How many teaching staff are employed and what proportion are men?)
(as at last year):
Clean Licence Record (last year and the year before): To be licensed a service must comply with regulations that help ensure children’s safety, care, and a suitable standard of education. When requirements are breached the Ministry of Education may downgrade a service’s licence to provisional or issue a suspension. (Check the lists of services placed on a provisional or suspended licence https://oece.nz/public/information/standards/ published each year)
(last year and year before):
Recommended Highly by 80% or More Families: At least 80% of families recommend the service and rate it as being very good to excellent on a range of aspects of quality. (Note that a response rate of at least 51% families on the OECE parent survey https://oece.nz/public/information/resources/parent-survey/ research instrument within the last three years is necessary here)
12 Reviews on “Glendowie Christian Kindergarten”
Such a lovely kindy. My daughter’s been well nurtured and growing up to be a nice school girl! Thank you teachers!
Wonderful kindy with amazing teachers! Such a fun place for kids to learn and play while instilling a strong sense of community. Activities change everyday which is so lovely for the kids!
I couldn’t recommend GCK enough. Both of my children have been through GCK and have had the most wonderful experience. During their time there they have built friendships, confidence, kindness, as well as other important life skills. The staff at GCK are kind, encouraging and always going to the next level to support the kids learning and development. GCK is a wonderful environment to grow and learn and I will always be so grateful for everything they have done for my kids.
My 3yr old son has been at GCK for a year and we absolutely love it. Every day there are multiple creative set ups to excite the kids. The staff are so caring, really taking the time to engage with the unique interest of the kids and constantly extending their learning in a fun way. We love the group narratives sent everyday as well as the individual stories.
We love the Christian values woven into the day and the connection with the local community church.
My son loves GCK, he raves about his amazing teachers and they have spent the time to get to know him and his interests.
They go to great lengths to set up really fun, educational and sensory activities that are different and well thought out everyday.
GCK is a beautiful kindy. Nurturing, enjoyable, supportive and fun! My active boy loves it. The teachers never cease to amaze with the array of activities and invitations to play/set ups.
Both indoor and outdoor environments are fabulous. Highly recommended!
My daughter is in GCK for two years, she enjoys every single minute. I absolutely adore this Kindergarten the teachers are pleasant well cultured and professional on program planning, providing a warm, nurturing and inclusive environment for children to grow and develop.
We now have our third child at GCK. The staff are incredibly kind and nurturing, taking each child where they’re at and working alongside them to meet their needs. The setups are well thought out and very inviting. We would highly recommend it.
Absolutely love this kindy! Super kind and loving environment, lovely experienced teachers. There are new activities every day, my kids are thriving here.
Both of our kids have been at GCK and a niece and nephew too. The staff are so caring & supportive. They have a huge range of developmental activities and they encourage kids to try new things. We would highly recommend GCK.
This is a wonderful nurturing kindy where children really feel loved. There is low staff turnover so the children form strong relationships with the teachers. They have an abundance of toys and craft options and excellent indoor and outdoor play areas. The days are structured and the children know what to expect. There is also a club for four year olds which prepares them for school. We really appreciate the Christian values which are taught and the addition of pets 🙂
Gck is a fantastic kindy. The teachers are amazing!!! I regard myself to be very fussy with whom I leave my children with, I have never worried about leaving my daughter. They are a kind, family-oriented kindy. My daughter has blossomed in their care. Nothing is ever too much for the staff, they go above and beyond. Gck is a very special school. I can’t recommend them enough.