About
Toybox on Rawhiti is a family early childhood centre located in the community of One Tree Hill. Toybox on Rawhiti weaves the forest kindergarten pedagogy into early childhood education through using the urban setting of Cornwall Park, Auckland.
We are proud of our family environment for learning where children, Whānau and teachers belong, and are involved in their local community.
The Centre owners Cathy and Janet Catto, have been early childhood teachers for more than 20 years.
Cathy Catto holds a Diploma of Teaching Early Childhood Education, Postgraduate Diploma in Education Leadership and Business qualifications.
Janet Catto has a Bachelor in Teaching Early Childhood Education and a Diploma of Nursing.
Our centre teaching team includes four additional teachers, all have a New Zealand ECE qualification and Education Council registration.
LICENSE
Toybox on Rawhiti is a licensed centre for 30 children aged 2-5 years. Each day we will have 4 full-time teachers with a maximum teacher/child ratio of 1:8.
EDUCATION
Our education programme follows Te Whāriki Early Childhood Curriculum published by the Ministry of Education. Linking of the curriculum to our community and the living world is our methodology for learning therefor providing meaningful learning experiences for our children.
Our learning experiences allow children to create meaning from the natural world around them. This encourages children to use their own sense-making processes within their social groups to support their learning.
Supporting life-long learning for all participants, children, teachers and families is a priority of the centre. Furthermore a holistic approach to health, well-being and learning is promoted for our children.
HOURS
We operate on a full license providing both sessions (morning or afternoon) and/or full day care.
The sessions operate between 8.00am and 1pm in the morning or 1.15pm to 5.30pm in the afternoon. A full day is between 8.00am and 5.30pm.
Please discuss your requirements with our team. Your child is required to attend a minimum of 3 half day sessions or 1 day 1 half day sessions. This allows child to settle & participate fully in our programmes.
HOLIDAYS
The Centre is closed for two weeks over Christmas/ New Year. No fees are charged for this period or statutory holidays. Each child is entitled to one further week holiday during the year & no fees will be charged, provided that two weeks notice is given to the centre. For any other holidays taken during the year full fees will be charged.
TWO CHILDREN IN THE SAME FAMILY
The first child pays our full fee, the second child has a 10% discount) when the second child attends the same session. If both children are receiving ‘Free 20 hours ECE’, no discount will be given.
WORK & INCOME SUPPORT CHILDCARE SUBSIDY
Please contact WINZ to access this subsidy if you qualify.
SICKNESS & MEDICATION
Due to the high risk of cross infection between children, we ask you to keep your child home if they show the following symptoms: high temperature, green runny nose, upset stomach, diarrhoea, skin rash, or any other infectious illness.
If your child needs medication regularly because of illness, please complete the Medication Authorisation Form and hand the medicine to a staff member on arrival (Please do not leave the medication in your child’s bag)
AUTHORISATION TO COLLECT CHILDREN
Parents must list people authorised to collect their children from the Childcare Centre, on our enrolment form. Children will not be released to an unauthorised person without direct contact between the parent and the centre.
ENROLMENT and CENTRE POLICIES
Pre-entry visits can be arranged with the Centre. This is an excellent opportunity for us to become familiar with our new families and for your child to have a pleasant shared introduction to the childcare centre.
Complete the enrolment form carefully and advise us of any changes to your address or phone numbers at home or work, as well as any custody changes.
Changes to your home situation are always confidential with staff. Please keep us up to date so that we can be aware of any difficulties your child may be experiencing.
FAMILY
The Centre will be happy to discuss your child’s progress or other centre related issues that may be causing you concern.
Parents are always welcomed to put forward suggestions, ask questions and enquire into the organisation of the Centre. Parents are welcome to enter the Centre at any time during the day while their child attends.
REST AND SLEEP REQUIREMENTS
We give children a sleep if their parents request it or because they are obviously in need of it. All other children will have a rest period after their lunch.
FOOD
We provide a healthy morning and afternoon tea, and lunch. (The day’s menu is displayed on the notice board). If your child has severe food allergies, we would appreciate you supplying dietary alternatives.
CLOTHING REQUIREMENTS
- school bag and A5 size spiral bound notebook
- a change of clothes, including walking shoes & jacket in winter
- extra pants (if being toilet trained)
- disposable nappies (if in nappies)
We appreciate named clothing, shoes and bags.
We welcome those special toys as it helps children to settle at rest times. We would appreciate your co-operation not to bring other toys as they get lost/ broken and can cause conflict between peers. E.g. guns, jewellery, chewing gum and sweets.
TRAFFIC & PARKING
Please be considerate to our neighbours & park correctly on site or on the roadside. Vehicles are to use the allocated turning area and always exit the property in a forward motion. Please supervise your children in the car park & footpath.
