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Association Structure
Management Team
20 Hours Free
Fees
Kindergarten Donations
Enrolment
Links
Preschool
Parents Role in Kindergartens
What role do I have at Kindergarten?
Parents and families are a key part of our organisation. Each child comes to Kindergarten with a wealth of experience, attitudes, knowledge and skills that they have developed within their family, and their culture. Our teachers work in partnership with you and your child to make the most of the background for the best learning outcomes.
Family involvement is welcomed and encouraged. You can choose from a variety of ways to be involved.
• Parent helping during a session
• Sharing a special skill with us
• Taking part in fundraising activities
• Joining a local Family Liaison Group to assist in the management of the Kindergarten
• Taking part in working bees on the building and grounds
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Useful Information on early childhood education in Nelson kindergartens
Association Structure
Nelson District Kindergarten Association's mission is to establish, maintain, and promote excellent early childhood education that is accessible to all and meets the needs of children, whanau, and communities..
The Nelson Association has steadily grown over the last 60 years and now services Nelson and Tasman Bay from Hira in the east to Golden Bay in the west, and south as far as Westport. We are the umbrella organisation for 16 Kindergartens and an Early Childhood Centre and also provide management and professional support contracts to five other Centres. These Kindergartens and Centres have over 1,500 children enrolled.
The Nelson Association is registered with the Charities Commission and the IRD as a charity. We are a member of New Zealand Kindergartens Inc a national representation and lobbying organisation that promotes every child having the right to participate in high quality early childhood education.
Nelson Association governance is by a parent-elected Board of Trustees that provides overall leadership and direction for our early childhood education services. Committees of parents provide local community input and support for parents.
The Association office in Nelson manages the operations, provides professional teaching leadership and management advice and support. The Association employs a Chief Executive Officer and three Senior Advisory Teachers, to support over 80 trained and registered teachers, to maintain a high standard of early childhood education and safe kindergarten/centre environments.
Our management team supports and coaches teaching staff to make continuous improvements. They monitor teaching practice and from their depth of recent practical teaching, management and professional training have skills to facilitate effective teaching teams. We also provide contracts to other early childhood centres to assist teachers throughout the sector to become registered.
Each kindergarten/centre provides a high quality educational programme using the Te Whariki curriculum framework. For more information see "Learning at Kindergartens/Centres" and "Nelson Kindergartens/Centres".
Board Members
Community Trustees
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Tony Draaijer (Chair)
I am a newly elected representative on the Board and I hope to bring to the team the experience I have gathered in the education sector, spanning over forty years.
I recognise that early childhood is a critical component of modern educational development and kindergartens admirably meet these needs through high quality, value added programmes.
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David Johnston
Ko Hikurangi toku maunga, Ko Waiapu toku awa, Ko Ngati Porou toku iwi. No te Tairawhiti ahau. Ko Whakatu toku kainga inaianei. Kia ora, my name is David Johnston and I am a new trustee. I am married to Marianne and we have 2 beautiful boys Abel and Rex. I have experience leading and managing large teams primarily in the Banking Industry. I am a member of the NZ Institute of Directors and current chairperson at a local primary school. I am passionate about the quality and access to education for all children and look forward to making a contribution on our board.
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Alan R Hounsell
My wife Jill and I live in Upper Moutere with our autistic son Stephen, and our daughter Gemma.
Since retiring as General Manager of an insurance company, I have become involved in a number of organisations, including Chairperson of Country Kids early childhood education centre, Chairperson of the Upper Moutere School Board of Trustees and as a Board Member of Nelson District Free Kindergarten Association.
In addition I am involved with the local Branch of Autism New Zealand and as an advocate for children with special needs.
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Parent Trustees
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Belinda Curtis-Sullivan
I am mother to two girls (4 years old and 22 months), the older of which attends Grove Street Kindy and the younger who would very much like to attend! I am also an accountant working part time in a small practice. My husband and I returned to Nelson five years ago to settle here and raise our family
I put my name forward to be on the Board of Trustees to have a chance to participate in their education. I hope that I can help to continue the Kindy's tradition of offering an excellent educational experience through excellent teachers and being well resourced.
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Nic Newson
I am a recently appointed trustee of the Kindergarten Association. We have lived in Nelson for the past 11 years and I am married with 3 children. Our youngest child is currently attending morning kindergarten. With seeing the development of our other children prior to them starting school, this has made me a strong supporter of the kindergarten system and the benefits this provides to our children. I am a qualified physiotherapist and have held various positions of responsibilities at local branch levels and look forward to bringing these skills and experience to the Kindergarten Association. |
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Heather Stanton
My name is Heather Stanton and I came to New Zealand 8 years ago to settle with my Nelson born husband, Andrew. I was an immigration officer in the UK and worked as a diplomat abroad before coming to Nelson. I worked here for the TDC prior to becoming a full-time Mum after the birth of our second child.
Our 2 children both attended Richmond Kindergarten and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The transition between Kindergarten and school was so easy for both children, despite the fact that they are very different personalities, and they are now both very keen learners. I am convinced this is thanks to the excellent start in early education that they received at Kindergarten and believe every child should have a similar opportunity.
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Teacher Trustee
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Leah Kilkelly
I am currently in my fourth year of teaching, prior to that I worked as an education support worker in the primary and early childhood sector. My experience of kindergarten began as a parent with my two children who are now aged 14 and 16 which inspired me to begin my teacher training.
As the teacher representative I can offer my perspective knowing that the decisions we make ensure that children and their families continue receive a high quality early childhood education.
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Management Team
The Management Team is supported by administration and contract staff and consists of:
Chief Executive Officer
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Wendy Logan
(Bachelor of Commerce Accounting) |
Operations Manager
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Alan Gordon
(NZ Diploma of Teaching, Masters Degree in Business Administration) |
Senior Education Advisors
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Helen Durbridge
(New Zealand Kindergarten Diploma) |
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Dr Bradley Hannigan
(BA, BA Hons (1st Class), MA, PHD (Education) |
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Erin Hall
(Bachelor of Teaching and Learning ECE, Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Leadership |
Kaitohutohu Maori (Resource Teacher of Maori)
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Emma Haruru
(Te Ara Tuarua, Diploma in Traditional Art, Certificate in Social Work) |
Whanau Facilitator
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Brenda Holdaway
(New Zealand Kindergarten Diploma, Bachelor of Education) |
20 Hours ECE (Early Childhood Education)
Can I get 20 hours early childhood education at Kindergarten?
Like all Early Childhood Centres, we receive a funding subsidy from the Ministry of Education. We offer 20 Hours early childhood education for three and four year olds and it is your choice which kindergarten/centres you use your free hours at. You can do this by signing an Attestation Form, which is available from each kindergarten/centre. More information on fees and family contributions can be found on the "Useful Information" page. Please refer to each individual kindergarten/centre's home page for more detail on fees and donations.
WINZ Subsidy
You may be eligible for the WINZ Childcare Subsidy to assist you to pay your fees.
Fees
What fees need to be paid at Kindergarten?
Parents, who do not attest their Free Hours to the kindergarten/centre, are asked to pay a fee per enrolled hour. See each individual kindergarten/centre's home page for more information.
You may be eligible for the WINZ Childcare Subsidy to assist you to pay this fee. These subsidies are available for families with incomes up to almost $93,600 per year (as at September 2010). These rates are regularly reviewed so please check for current information. To find out if your family qualifies for this subsidy:
• Call WINZ on 0800 774 004
• Access the WINZ website on www.workandincome.govt.nz
Kindergarten Family Contributions
As the Ministry of Education funding does not cover all kindergarten costs, to assist with additional costs such as photos for profiles, excursions, extra activities etc, parents are asked for a family contributions of 30 cents per enrolled hour. Parents can claim this as a donation for tax purposes. (Link with IRD for tax rebate)
From time to time kindergartens may fundraise for special projects.
Parents of children who are under 3 years of age who are enrolled at kindergarten will only be asked to pay a 30c family contribution per enrolled hour and a fee if they will not be using free hours at kindergarten. Children who are over 5 years 28 days of age, will continue with the same cost to parents as prior to being an over aged placement.
Enrolment
How do I enrol my child?
We encourage you to put your child's name on a kindergarten/centre waiting list. You are welcome to visit several of our kindergartens/centres to find the one that best suits you and your child. See our map for all the kindergartens/centres in your area and contact links.
When you have chosen the kindergarten/centre you wish your child to attend, you then need to complete an Enrolment Form and send it to the kindergarten/centre. You may download an Enrolment Form from this site or collect one from your local kindergarten/centre.
Links
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