Parent Info
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We are a sessional, community-based kindergarten for children from 2 – 6 years of age. We regard the time we have with your child as a privilege.
Please be assured that our aim is to provide your child with valuable learning opportunities, stimulation, security and happy times whilst at our kindergarten.
We do enrol children who still require an afternoon nap.
We are open throughout the entire school year (including term breaks), and do not charge for statutory holidays.
If there is an emergency and we need to evacuate the kindergarten, we walk next door to the church manse at 495 Remuera Road.
We are owned and operated by Somervell Presbyterian Church. Our families do not need to be members of Somervell or any other church to attend Uplands.
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Monday to Friday: 8:30am - 3:30pm
Drop off: 8:30am
Pickup: 12:30pm / 2:45pm / 3:30pmWe are open 48 weeks per year (closed over the Christmas break). Attendance during the other school holidays throughout the year is optional.
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Download our latest ERO Report here
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We keep below our licensed number to allow for more than the regulated space per child. We have an excellent teacher:child ratio (1:7) to ensure our children receive quality interactions and care. Most of our fully qualified teaching team have been with Uplands for more than 15 years.
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We offer make up days if your child is sick (during term time only).
Absence from kindergarten due to illness or any other cause will not result in the cancellation or refund of fees. When a child is absent/on holiday for a consecutive period of 3 weeks or more, a holding fee of 50% of the child’s normal weekly fee is payable up to a maximum of 3 weeks. Otherwise normal fees apply.
2 weeks written notice is required of the intended absence. (Please see our Holiday policy for more detailed information.) Two weeks notice is required prior to leaving otherwise fees will be charged.
We do not charge for statutory holidays.
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Our accounts are sent out each month.
Please contact us for more details on our fees.
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Please name all your child’s items, bag and clothes. This is a great help to the teachers.
Sunhat
Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea as required.
Water bottle (a water fountain is available for refills)
Children should wear comfortable clothes suitable for kindergarten play
Please provide a bag for wet clothes
Please pack spare clothes and underwear
Nappies if still needed (we support children and parents with toilet training if required.) -
Your child’s portfolio is online and we print a hard copy which is kept at Uplands for your child to enjoy at any time. Children revisit their portfolio frequently during sessions. They take this precious taonga with them when they leave for school.
We use Storypark, which is effectively a shared learning tool that helps develop strong relationships. It’s great for parents, working parents, distant grandparents, and other family/whānau. This is because it includes all the most important people in a child’s life in their learning and discovery, regardless of where they are in New Zealand and around the world.
You’re welcome to extend a Storypark invitation to all your whānau. Storypark is a safe, secure online network. We upload photos, observations (Snapshots), video and stories of your child's time at Uplands Kindergarten. We encourage all of your Storypark whānau to respond and comment on these. This helps parents/whānau become more involved in their child’s learning, by bridging learning activities during the day at kindergarten with their home environment.
Transition to Kindy
For many children, going to kindy is their first extended time away from home. At Uplands Kindergarten, our teachers have many years of experience with settling children when they first start at kindergarten.
During your visits prior to starting, let’s work together and make a plan for you and your child. A routine each morning, a buddy teacher, arriving on time, photographs of your family in your child’s portfolio. All these things contribute to a smooth transition.
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Our door is always open. Your family is invited to visit at a time suitable to you. We encourage multiple visits in the lead up to your child starting at Uplands. This helps your child begin to form secure relationships with our teachers and build the sense of belonging required for starting at kindergarten.
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After the visiting period, our experienced teachers will be able to guide you as to the best transition plan for your child. We notice if your child is staying close to your side, or gaining confidence to move away from you. All these observations allow us to work closely with you to create the best transition plan for you and your child.
If it’s hard for a child to settle at kindy, we’ll arrange home visits to create more positive links with the teachers.
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Children must be signed in and out each day at the time attested to on your enrolment form.
Children bring their own food and water bottle. We have a water fountain.
It is a great help if all children’s belongings and bag are named.
If your child is away sick, we offer make up days (during term time only).
2024 Term Dates
TERM 1
30 January – 12 April 2024
Holiday Programme: 22 – 26 January
Easter 29 March - 1 April
TERM 2
29 April – 5 July
Kings Birthday 3 June
Matariki 28 June
Holiday Programme: 8 July - 19 July
TERM 3
22 July – 27 September
Holiday Programme: 30 September –11 October
TERM 4
14 October – 20 December
Labour Weekend 28 October
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“I would highly recommend Uplands Kindergarten. Sending your child to daycare/kindergarten is a huge decision, and I am so thankful that my daughter attends this kindergarten. The team of teachers there are amazing, so kind, supportive and nurturing, to all the children and families. The teachers make you feel so welcome, and are very good at helping settle in the children. The activities they provide are great, and they are very good at spontaneously creating an activity if they see a child has an interest in something. What makes this kindy stand out from others, is the that the teachers are great communicators, have so much experience , and work amazing as a team.”
KIMBERLY
Pop in for a visit
We welcome visitors to Uplands Kindergarten — feel free to drop into our kindergarten during opening hours or get in touch using the form below.
OPENING HOURS
Monday to Friday 8:30am – 3:30pm
