FAQs

BJ’s Childcare is a childcare centre owned and operated by Betje and Brett Read. Betje has been in childcare for over 28 years. BJ’s Childcare is licensed for 2-6 year olds and you are welcome to be on our waiting list for when your child turns 2.

Monday – Friday from 7.45am – 5:30pm. BJ’s Childcare are also licensed where we can open on Saturday’s if the need is there.

At present we do have some full time spaces available; we encourage you to call in and let us write down your details so we can ring you and discuss starting childcare options for you. We look forward to meeting you and your child/ren.

Our childcare fees are $6.00 per hour, however we do offer discounts for selected times and days. We are here to support parents as much as we can. Parents supply their child with a healthy lunch and afternoon tea, and Countdown support BJ's Childcare offering morning tea of a wide range of fruit for our tamariki and we offer plain biscuits and crackers for morning tea. 20 Hours FREE ECE hours are available at our centre for 3 to 5 year olds. There are no fees charged for 20 Hours ECE.

BJ’s Childcare centre is open from 7.45 – 5:30pm and we encourage/expect children to be enrolled for at least 6 hours per day, and at least 2 days per week, this allows the child to become familiar with our daily routines, helps the child settle and lets the child have lots of fun.

We encourage this as our centre has an ‘open door’ policy. Contact the Centre to let us know when you are coming or if you are already out and about you are welcome to call in. Staff will be available to show you around, answer questions and discuss the individual needs of your child. We will also offer you an enrolment pack.

Absolutely and we encourage this as this is where you are looking at having your child in care. It’s important that our families build relationships with our centre staff.

Each child has a portfolio and an online e-profile, it contains their learning and development. This includes stories with photos, learning assessments, and communication with parents/whanau. The portfolio is available for parents to view and contribute any time. E-portfolio offers parents the opportunity to view their child’s portfolio on line anytime and anywhere, including allowing other family members to view and contribute as well.

We try our best to maintain a very high level of hygiene to prevent infection e.g. good hand washing practises for children, staff and visitors to the Centre. Do expect your child to become unwell especially in the first year of childcare, however we will do our best to support you with an unwell child and contact you at once if we feel your child should not be at the Centre. BJ’s Childcare do send children home if they appear unwell so that we can stop any contagious illness.

There is no charge when the Centre is closed or on public holidays.

Yes if your child is 2- 3 years old, then you may qualify for up to 50 hours per week depending on your circumstances for example if you are working or on a course you may be eligible for up to 50 hours per week, if you are not working and not on a course you may be eligible for up to 9 hours per week.

If your child is aged between 3-5 you can access up to 20 hours per week and if you are working and or on a course you may be eligible for up to 20 hours per week plus up to 30 hours per week WINZ childcare subsidy depending on your work or course situation. WINZ childcare subsidy finished on your child’s 5th birthday, however you can apply for 30 days after your child has turned 5 and the 20 Hours ECE stops when your child turns 5.

If your child is in nappies please provide enough nappies and wet wipes. Provide several changes of clothing for your child in case they get dirty or wet and adequate footwear/ sunhat. Please include a nutritious lunch box for your child with enough for your child to last the day. Please label your child’s clothing.