KidStart is a home–based care and learning service for children aged from birth to five years, provided in the homes of carefully selected vetted and trained Caregivers.

Brought to you by Barnardos and approved by the Ministry of Education, KidStart helps your child learn and develop in a welcoming and safe home environment, with no more than three other children.

Better still, KidStart offers affordable rates, convenient locations and flexible hours to suit your needs.

Before caring for children, all our Caregivers have:
• been police-checked (police checks are also carried out on all others aged 17 years and over living in the Caregiver’s home);
• a current First Aid Certificate ;
• provided medical and personal references;
• completed the KidStart Caregiver Training Certificate Course.

And their homes have been inspected to ensure they meet the strict health and safety standards set by the Education (Home-based Care) Order 1992 and 1998 Amendment.

Our KidStart Caregivers are required to:
• attend regular on-going training and professional development courses;
• work with a Visiting Teacher (a qualified and registered early childhood teacher) to ensure each child learns and develops through fun and active learning experiences, based on New Zealand’s early childhood curriculum framework, Te Whariki. Each child’s learning and development is documented in a Record of Learning and Care;
• attend regular KidStart playgroups where the children have the opportunity to interact with other young children, use different play resources and take part in larger group activities. A major feature of KidStart is that children learn from the rich learning opportunities offered in everyday activities in the home and local community.

Research on home-based early childhood education
What parents say about KidStart