FEES POLICY

Curious Minds Early Learning are a private, fee charging Early Childhood Education and Care Services. It is expected that all mātua (parents/caregivers) and whānau (family) follow the rules regarding fee payments. Failure to do so may lead to their childcare space being cancelled.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Enrolment

1. When confirming an enrolment, a non-refundable commitment bond of $150 is required to secure the space. This bond will be credited into the whānau account 3 months after their start date, provided the original start date and booked days remain mostly unchanged. Significant changes (i.e. choosing not to go through with the enrolment and/or pushing the start date back by 3 weeks or more) will result in the loss of this bond. There is also no guarantee that the space will be available and may result in the loss of the space. Giving notice within 3 months of the start date will also result in the loss of this bond.

Bookings

2. It is preferred that all tamariki (children) are to be settled into the Centre by 9:30am.

3. Casual or extended days can be booked if available. Requests should be made by email to the Administrator or Centre Manager either prior to the day or morning of.

4. The possibility of swapping days is only available if early notification is received, and the swap is within the same week. Swapping days is not applicable for illnesses.

5. Increasing of days and/or hours is based on availability. Requests should be made by email to the Administrator or Centre Manager.

6. A reduction of days and/or hours requires 3 weeks’ notice by email to the Administrator or Centre Manager.

7. A ‘Confirmation of Enrolment’ form detailing the changes must be signed in advance of any changes. This includes attesting that the tamaiti (child) is not enrolled in any other early childhood centre on the same day they attend our Centre and are claiming funding.

8. Late pickups within our operational hours (tamariki enrolled for part time hours) will be charged a late pickup fee of $20 per 15 minutes or part thereof. Tamariki picked up outside of our operational hours will receive a penalty fee of $40 per 15 minutes or part thereof. Drop offs and pickups outside of our operational hours results in the Centre being in breach of our license.

Meals

9. Meals are included in the schedule of fees. To promote independence and preparation for school we encourage our oldest tamariki to bring their own lunch box on specified days arranged by kaiako (teachers). This of course is optional, and tamariki are still welcome to eat the Centre kai (food). Special dietary needs will be catered for (i.e. diabetics, allergies, beliefs etc).

Absence / Sickness / Holidays / Emergency Closures

10. Fees are based on 52 weeks a year and are GST inclusive. This includes statutory holidays, sickness, and any other absences.

11. Mātua are to notify the Centre if their tamaiti will be absent for any reason (by phone or email before 9am the morning of at the latest).

12. Whānau on extended travel longer than 3 weeks may apply for holiday leave. On approval the first 3 weeks will be charged at 50% of the regular weekly fee. Any leave after 3 weeks will be charged at the full weekly rate. Holiday leave must be applied for by email to the Administrator or Centre Manager at least 3 weeks prior to the leave of absence.

13. There is no charge for emergency closures (e.g. power cuts, mass kaiako illness). If the closure is for a part day, whānau will be charged depending on when the Centre re-opens.

Discounts

14. There is a 5% family discount for siblings up to 3 years old. Second and subsequent tamariki under 3 years old will receive the discount. Tamariki over 3 years old will receive the 20 Hours ECE subsidy.

15. Whānau with 2 or more tamariki under the age of 3 will receive the 5% family discount for both/all tamariki.

Funding and 20 Hours ECE Subsidy

All funding received by the Centre is applied for through the Ministry of Education (MoE) and is governed by the ECE Funding Handbook. Our fee structure is based on the Centre receiving funding for each tamaiti based on their enrolment. The funding received by MoE is vital to the viability of the Centre and contributes to the services’ operating costs by funding each hour, each tamaiti spends in ECE, to a maximum of 6 hours per tamaiti per day.

16. To comply with MoE funding rules tamariki must:

• Regularly attend for a minimum of 6 hours per day.
• Regularly attend their booked days.
• Must not be absent for more than 21 consecutive days.

Any continuous absences longer than 3 weeks and/or regular frequent absences (whether this is absent for a full day or not attending a minimum of 6 hours daily) of 3 months or longer, will incur extra childcare fees, as MoE ECE funding stops.

Curious Minds Early Learning participates in the 20 Hours ECE subsidy for tamariki aged 3-6 years. This extra funding subsidy is for the direct benefit of whānau and is taken directly off fees.

17. A tamaiti is funded for a maximum of 6 hours per day under the 20 hours ECE subsidy, to a maximum of 20 hours per week.

18. To receive the 20 Hours ECE subsidy, mātua must complete, sign and date the attestation form before this can be actioned.

19. If your tamaiti is enrolled at more than one Centre, mātua can split the hours claimed as long as you do not claim for more than 20 hours a week or 6 hours a day. You cannot claim for the same hours twice. You must disclose the dual enrolment with both childcare providers to ensure transparency and accuracy in hours claimed.

20. Our fee structure is based on tamariki claiming all their 20 Hours ECE subsidy at our service.

21. Fees charged above the 20 Hours ECE subsidy is to ensure the Centre remains financially viable and continues to maintain a high-quality education and care service.

Payment / WINZ Subsidy

22. We require fees to be paid by automatic payment/online banking. Payment is due within 7 days of invoicing. All fee payments are to be kept 2 weeks in advance for all days in which the tamaiti is enrolled.

23. We accept WINZ subsidies as part payment toward childcare fees. Mātua are responsible for contacting WINZ directly to enquire about subsidies and to update them of any changes to their enrolment or fees, including the 20 Hours ECE subsidy, each time they make a change to their booking.

24. An administration fee of $20 will be charged to accounts if they fall into arrears. This fee will be charged each week the account is overdue. Continual overdue accounts may result in the suspension or cancellation of the enrolment.

25. It is a condition of enrolment that mātua (parents/caregivers) agree for the Centre to engage a debt collection agency for collection of any outstanding fees. If any account remains unpaid 30 days after the due date, our debt collection agency will be engaged to recover outstanding fees. Mātua will be liable for any fees charged by the debt collection agency.  

26. Schedule of Fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change.

Notice Period

27. 3 weeks’ written notice is required when any tamaiti leaves the Centre. Ministry funding ceases from the last day a tamaiti attends, therefore early departure will result in extra charges to cover this loss. Funding claims cannot overlap so end and start dates need to align if the tamaiti is to move to a new Centre. 3 weeks’ notice includes children turning 5 years old as holidays can affect their leaving date (NOTE: Tamariki are entitled to attend and are funded up to 6 years old).

SCHEDULE OF FEES:

Island Bay, Johnsonville, Miramar

as of 29th January 2024

All fees are inclusive of GST and calculated as follows:

6 Months to 3 Years*

‍

Full time: 7.30am - 6pm

(10.5 hours per day)

2 Days: $203.00

3 Days: $260.00

4 Days: $330.00

5 Days: $380.00

‍

Part time: 8:30am - 3.30pm

(7 hours per day)

2 Days: $162.00

3 Days: $200.00

4 Days: $260.00

5 Days: $300.00

‍

3 to 6 Years

20hrs ECE Subsidy**

‍

Full time: 7.30am - 6pm

(10.5 hours per day)

2 Days: $133.00

3 Days: $180.00

4 Days: $245.00

5 Days: $290.00

‍

Part time: 8:30am - 3.30pm

(7 hours per day)

2 Days: $79.00

3 Days: $106.00

4 Days: $163.00

5 Days: $238.00

‍

* Includes children over 3 years of age not receiving the 20 Hours ECE Subsidy

** Fees charged to cover hours attended over and above 20 Hours ECE Subsidy