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Familyofmonkeys
9th October 2007, 01:03 PM
Current rental due to run out in few weeks, so just about to look for a new one. Am considering moving to different area of Auckland....but have no where in particular in mind as long as nice safe family area.

Problem in current area, despite being a lovely area, is that all of the 4 local kindy have about 4 month or so waiting list, so 4 year old daughter still not getting pre-school education after 3 months in house here. Also they don't all do the 20 hour free thing.....don't want to spend too much as saving up at moment.

Second problem is activities for other 2 children. Used to do music in UK, but the 2 local-ish Mainly Music groups here operate quite long waiting lists. They said all 3 children would need to be added to lists and wait for places together....so no joy there. Other local playgroup I found has 1 vacancy on Monday, but only for 1 child. Not sure if I have enough time commitment for playcentre....plus struggle to get out front door on time :( Would love to go to swimming groups, but can't until youngest kids are a bit bigger.

So.....anyone else had this problem? Although it's nice having other children over to play, I am looking for more structured activities like we had in UK. Used to do something different 4 days a week when oldest was at pre-school, then all have quiet day at home on fridays for things like baking or painting etc.

Any suggestions for areas in Auckland where I will not have these problems with waiting lists and where there are plenty if things/groups to do with young sprogs without traveling very far?

snailandthewhale
9th October 2007, 05:42 PM
maybe you could try the waterhole for swimming lessons? they take all ages. pay for 2 children, 3rd one free.
our little ones love it.
k

Tia Maria
9th October 2007, 06:17 PM
Sorry not much help, but just to say that Devonport is very similar, long waiting lists with nowhere doing the free 20 hours.

We have structured activities at our local community house and the library - maybe look for somewhere with these kinds of facilities?

Cheers

Tia

Familyofmonkeys
9th October 2007, 08:33 PM
Sorry not much help, but just to say that Devonport is very similar, long waiting lists with nowhere doing the free 20 hours.

We have structured activities at our local community house and the library - maybe look for somewhere with these kinds of facilities?

Cheers

Tia

Have considered Devonport....are any reasonable single storey rentals available? Also, what sort of activities does your library do? We used to enjoy going to story time and rhythm time in UK and it was all free. Is it similar here?

Familyofmonkeys
9th October 2007, 08:36 PM
maybe you could try the waterhole for swimming lessons? they take all ages. pay for 2 children, 3rd one free.
our little ones love it.
k

Are these private lessons? Is there a reasonable price creche available so they can take it in turns?

Tia Maria
9th October 2007, 10:47 PM
Most of the libraries on the North Shore do Lapsit and Storytime which are both free:

www.shorelibraries.govt.nz

They also do some good free activities in the school holidays.

The Devonport Community House has activities you pay for in term time, such as pre-school gym, toy library, playgroup etc:

http://devonportdirectory.co.nz/communityhouse.htm

(you need to click on the 'Click here to view/download the current programme' bit for a list of what's on)

Devonport is a very popular place and not an easy place to get a rental but this thread might help:

www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=11606

Cheers

Tia

Familyofmonkeys
10th October 2007, 07:38 PM
Thanks for the info.....particularly interested in the stuff going on at the library as similar to stuff we did in UK, so all kids would be happy :)

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