Home Based Care

Home-based care involves an ‘Educator’ caring for a small group of children either in their own home or the child’s home. Educators must work under a licensed Home-based Network that meets all the Ministry of Educations requirements under the Education (Home-based Care) Order and the Early Childhood Regulations.

Every Educator will provide slightly different services, but in general, hours tend to be flexible and can be designed to fit the needs of the families attending.

The legal ratio for home-based care is 1:4. This means that each Educator can be responsible for up to four children at any one time, two of whom can be under the age of two. This low ratio allows for plenty of quality one-on-one interactions.

Fees can range from $1.13 (with a WINZ child care subsidy) to $9.00 per hour depending on the qualifications of the Educator and the requirements of the network.

The qualifications of Educators can vary greatly. Some may hold a full teaching qualification, some may have attended short training courses through their network and others will have no qualifications at all. All Educators are required by law to hold a current First Aid Certificate.

Each Educator is overseen by a fully-qualified Co-ordinator who regularly visits the Educator in their home, observing the children and providing professional guidance and support. The Co-ordinator ensures that the Educator’s house meets safety requirements and that the curriculum being delivered is of a high-quality.

Home-based settings work under Te Whaariki – The New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum. Educators plan a daily programme that caters to the interests and developmental needs of the children in their care. This programme will generally include experiences such as art and creativity, science and nature, carpentry, dramatic play, ICT, construction, fine-motor activities, gross-motor activities, dough and puzzles.

Home-based care has the advantage of providing a relaxed, homely environment, conducive to children’s learning and development. There are ample opportunities for children to take part in outings, attend playgroups and spend time in the wider community.