Here are some frequently asked questions about KIDSCO^®. If you have a question that is not answered here please email us and we will do our best to promptly answer your question.

• My child goes to a school that your programme picks up from. How do you ensure the safety of my child?
• Where does my child meet the shuttle?
• What sort of food do you provide for my child?
• My child is a new starter. How will you care for them?
• What happens if I am late for pick-up?
• What about Civil Defence Emergencies? Is KIDSCO prepared for these?
• How do you manage behaviour in the programme?
• What is the ratio of staff to child?
• Do you have a Homework Club?
• How to you vet your staff?
• My child has special needs?
• What sort of training do you staff receive?
• What activities do you provide?
• Who will I call if my child will not be attending an enrolment day as planned: ie sickness or other reason.

Question:

My child goes to a school that your programme picks up from. How do you ensure the safety of my child?

Answer:

A KIDSCO staff member meets children at each school.  The staff member marks a ROLL list of those children attending KIDSCO after school care from that school each day.  Once children are gathered, the group proceeds to the bus.  A staff member travels with the children to the programme. If a child is missing we'll contact the school office first, then we'll contact a parent.  If we are unable to establish where the child is we'll immediately initiate our Missing Child Procedure.  We won't leave the school without locating your child.  We work closely with school staff.  It is important if you make changes to your child's enrolment on the day to let us know by texting or calling our Supervisor's phone and leaving a message.  

It is important that your children know that if they are at all concerned at the end of the school day, regardless of who is picking them up, they must go to the school office.  This is policy in most schools.

Question:

Where does my child meet the shuttle?

Answer:

Khandallah School: on the bottom field in Clark Street at the drive in pick-up area :a KIDSCO staff member will be waiting there and school staff also supervise this area.

Cashmere Ave School: Near the school hall at the bottom of the stairs from Cashmere Avenue & the bus stop. KIDSCO Staff will be waiting.

St Benedict's School: in the bus shelter on Nicholson Road.  School Staff supervise there.

Ngaio School: In the quad at the top of the stairs that lead down to Ottawa Road & the Service Station. KIDSCO staff meet the children there around 3pm.

Island Bay School: By the old dental clinic building, at the corner adjacent to the playground; our staff use the Clyde Street entrance.

St Francis de Sales School, Island Bay: in the school office foyer. Staff will be there by 3.10pm

Question:

What sort of food do you provide for my child?

Answer:

KIDSCO has a Healthy Food Policy and Food Safety Plan.  This means that we follow the current advice on the selection of Healthy Food, and when we shop for food we aim to select foods with least preservatives and additives, and include fresh fruit and vegetables. We prepare the food in the programme kitchens following a Food Safety Plan designed to minimise cross-contamination.  Our mini-meal is a child sized meal for hungry kids at the end of the school day, complemented with fresh fruit.

Question:

My child is a new starter. How will you care for them?

Answer:

Because we know that new starters have a lot to deal with, are tired at the end of the day, and usually a bit overwhelmed for the first few weeks, we have specific strategies to assist them to settle into the after school care and holiday programme.  We also have strategies to assist them make friends in the programme and select activities that they enjoy.

Question:

What happens if I am late for pick-up?

Answer:

KIDSCO after school care and holiday programmes are designed for children's enjoyment AND as a service to working parents.  Our aim is to assist you by taking some of the pressures off at the end of the day. If an emergency prohibits you from collecting your children before the programme closes, simply contact the Programme Supervisor and let them know.  We'll take of your children until you get there.  In genuine circumstances there is no extra charge for this service.

Question:

What about Civil Defence Emergencies? Is KIDSCO prepared for these?

Answer:

Yes both KIDSCO After School Care and Holiday Programmes are fully kitted out with Earthquake Survival Kits, and we regularly practice Fire and Earthquake Drills.  KIDSCO has planned for post-earthquake survival until all children are collected.

Question:

How do you manage behaviour in the programme?

Answer:

At KIDSCO we begin by establishing values for the programme: we promote Respectful, Responsible and Cooperative Behaviour.  We follow this with an 11 Module Training Programme for all staff that addresses the needs of children at various ages and stages of development. With this information staff members develop realistic expectations of children's behaviour.  For ongoing issues the Supervisor will involve parents in setting a Behaviour Management Plan.  Ultimately the programme is for the enjoyment of everyone.

Question:

What is the ratio of staff to child?

Answer:

KIDSCO after school care and holiay programmes are OSCAR Approved and Work and Income registered.  The required staff ratio is 1 adult caregiver to 10 children during programme hours, and 1 adult to 8 children for excursions.  Often KIDSCO staff ratios are better than this requirement.

Question:

Do you have a Homework Club?

Answer:

Yes, KIDSCO provides Homework Club 3 times each week in each after school care programme.  We ask you to enrol your child with the Supervisor at your programme.

Question:

How to you vet your staff?

Answer:

We have a comprehensive recruitment programme that includes referencing and Police vetting of all staff.

Question:

My child has special needs?

Answer:

We ask you to discuss this with us prior to enrolment. We'll assess your child's needs and our ability to meet them.  Being able to offer your child a place will largely depend on the resources available to us and the resources that your child requires to meet their needs.

Question:

What sort of training do you staff receive?

Answer:

Our Supervisors, who are our Team Leaders, are fully supported by KIDSCO to complete the OSCAR Certificate, and First Aid Training.  Supervisors also attend OSCAR Training seminars available from time to time.  All staff must attend an 8 - 12 Module KIDSCO Training Programme (depending on their position in the programme) to enable them to work to the standards that we require.  We then follow this up with regular in-house training sessions.

Question:

What activities do you provide?

Answer:

KIDSCO after school care and holiday programmes are well resourced for children's interests.  Each afternoon we specifically cater for the needs of smaller children, children who enjoy quiet activities and those who are total energisers.  Each programme is structured around a KIDSCO formula to best meet the needs of their specific group.

Question:

Who will I call if my child will not be attending an enrolment day as planned: ie sickness or other reason.

Answer:

Please let us know as soon as possible if your child will not be attending on a planned enrolment day for either our after school care or holiday programme.

Khandallah/Ngaio programme at Crofton Downs School: Mob: 021479748

Johnsonville Programme at 17 Bannister Road: Mob 0272122104

Owhiro & Island Bay Programme at Owhiro Bay School: Mob 021479776