Day to Day Information

Hours

AppleSeed is open Monday to Friday from 7.30 am – 6.00 pm. We are closed on public holidays.

We ask for your co-operation in dropping off and collecting children within our operating hours. If at any time you have an emergency and are going to be delayed, please contact the Centre. Staff can then ease your child’s concerns and make plans for their own commitments.

A late fee may apply if your child is left at the Centre after their enrolled hours.

Attendance

A responsible adult known to the Manager and staff must bring children into the Centre. Only authorised persons (as indicated on the enrolment form) will be allowed to collect children from the Centre. Please notify the Manager in writing of any changes to the authorised persons. An adult other than one known to the Centre will be required to show identification (preferably photographic). Parents with custody orders must provide a copy to the Manager.

In the case of a non-custodial parent arriving to collect the child, the Manager will contact the police and provide the copy of the order for the police to enforce. A child will not be allowed to go home with a parent/guardian in contravention of a custody/court order held at the Centre. However, in the event of a non-custodial parent gaining access to a child, the Centre cannot be held liable.

Staff are always concerned about your child’s welfare, so if you are aware of any intending absence could you please email the Manager. Parents must give at least two weeks’ notice before withdrawing their child and at least one week’s notice if you wish to change your attendance hours. Any requests must be emailed to the Manager:  office@appleseededucare.co.nz

Signing in and out each day.

All parents are required to sign their child in and out of the Centre every day on the form provided at the front door. This is a legal requirement by the Ministry of Education and can be audited at any time.

This is also a safety requirement in case of emergency evacuation of the Centre. Therefore a very important part of the drop off and pick up routine is to sign your child in and out of the centre every day.

Meals

At AppleSeed our professionally trained in-house chef creates award winning, yummy, healthy and nutritionally balanced lunch and snacks using fresh seasonal ingredients. Our varied menu is designed for young children and is updated regularly after consultation with parents and caregivers. We have ensured when reviewing our menu that the children at AppleSeed are provided with a full range of foods and nutrients which includes food from all the four food groups: fruit and vegetables, breads and cereals, milk and milk products and lean meat and alternatives.

The menu has been designed to cater for all children and their dietary needs with vegetarian meals prepared separately. Children with allergies or food preferences are given alternative meals, but similar to meals offered to others. Please notify us immediately of any allergies or diet preferences for your child.

Additionally all food served is fully compliant with the Ministry of Education regulations for appropriate food types and sizes, and are safely age appropriate for infants and children. Children are seated and supervised by qualified teachers for all meal times.

Good hygiene habits before and during eating are strongly encouraged.

Our menu has been ratified by the NZ Healthy Heart Foundation “Fuelled 4 life” programme and is displayed on the notice board by the front door.

Sleep/Rest Time

We recognise that each child is unique and comes to us with their own sleeping routine.

Our toddlers and older sleepers usually sleep after lunch time each day unless parents’ request otherwise. This is also a rest time for the older children where quiet play or reading is encouraged.

We follow your home sleeping pattern for babies and will discuss your child’s individual needs with you.

All children that require sleep are provided with their own individual sleeping space, mattress and bed linen. Linen is washed weekly and beds cleaned and aired regularly.

Parking

AppleSeed Educare has 5 designated parking spaces for parents, whanau and teachers three doors down at 172 Balmoral Road. The spaces are clearly marked with AppleSeed signage.