[steveybj]

Myself and my wife will be working at the end of the year in the CDB Auckland, trying to fathom the preschool maze has been a headache as we will both need to work full time, I am shift work which means I can look after the little one when able but there will be days when she will be all day(maybe twice a week) we have worked out it will be easier to take the little one into the CDB... The only real company I have found is Kindercare, its a national company and wondering if anyone has had dealings with them?? They accept the ECE 20 hours (which I am still confused about) and are open all year around (which we need) Hope any can help.... Were looking to live on the North Shore when we arrive...
Steve

[Tia Maria]

If Bruckner doesn't see this, send her a PM, she has her children in childcare in the city.

Kindercare is a well known chain and its reputation is fine, but really it will depend on the quality of the staff at the particular one near you, at that particular time, as to whether you will be happy with them. It is a very personal thing and a visit is always essential.

Don't completely discount local places, there are ones with longer hours, they are just harder to find. For example, I would say out of about 6 or 7 childcare places in Devonport, only 1 has longer hours, the rest offer hours like 9-3pm.

Also you can consider in-home help, like Porse. For instance, I know someone, who has a nanny look after her son two days a week, he still goes to morning Kindy for a few hours, so he gets social contact and in that time the Nanny tidies around, does the ironing etc. She then looks after him 'in home' until his Mum gets back. Obviously they don't stay in doors all the time, they go to the park, bus rides, beach etc.

There are lots of people I know who have set ups like this, as the area I live in has a high expat community and many of us don't have family to call on.

I'll go and look for some threads to bump......

Cheers

Tia