FAQ's For Parents

Who are JeMMa’s Homebased Childcare?

JeMMa’s is a privately owned Early Childhood Homebased Education and Childcare Service, licensed with the Ministry of Education. JeMMa’s has been operating in the Greater Auckland area since September 2000. We now have offices in Henderson (servicing Auckland), and Thames (servicing Thames/Hauraki area) and Tauranga (servicing the greater Western Bay of Plenty Area, including Waihi, Paeroa, Thames and Hauraki area) meeting their standards and requirements.

What is Homebased Childcare?

Homebased Childcare enables pre-school children to be educated and cared for in the homes of carefully selected educators. It is aimed at those who need childcare in an environment that isn’t far away from the environment your child experiences at home. Parents want an alternative to childcare centres, and JeMMa’s has a ratio of one adult to four children.

What are the enrolment options?

Minimum hours are 9 hours per week.

• Fixed enrolled/booked hours: Set days and hours permanently booked
• Roster: Hours and days vary from week to week
• Casual: On the day bookings

What days and hours are JeMMa’s open?

JeMMa’s operating hours for each service can be found in our News section or under our Parent/Educator Login areas under MOE Licence’s.

How much will it cost?

The hourly rate is negotiated between the parent/guardian and educator and starts at $5.50 per hour. WINZ subsidies are available to eligible families through Work and Income. JeMMa’s subsidy is also available. A Set Up fee of $30 is payable for casual enrolments.

How many children are there in each educators home?

There are no more than 4 children at each educators home, ratios are 1 adult to 4 children and can be made up of 2 children under 2yrs and 2 children over 2 yrs or 4 children over 4 yrs old.

What happens when my educator is sick?

Alternative childcare arrangements are organised by the parent/guardian and educator. JeMMa’s endeavour to organise emergency care with other approved educators in the area at short notice, but it pays for parents to have a backup plan in advance.

What do I send my child with each day?

• A packed lunch box with morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and bottles depending on the hours they are with their educator.
• Enough nappies for the duration of each day, plus any creams you are using.
• Enough spare clothes for when play and work gets them wet or dirty.
• Bed linen – however some educators provide linen, it is decided on between the families and educator.

How will I know what my child is learning?

Evidence is documented in each child’s portfolio, which is available for you to view and discuss at any time. Family contribution on a regular basis is encouraged, this portfolio is for you to keep once it is full and when your children leave to go to school – it’s yours forever!

Who decides which educator the children go to?

Parents are provided with all available educators; parents meet each of them and decide who their preference is. When both educator and parents are happy, an enrolment can be completed.

Is my child confined to the educators home?

Where possible we plan monthly excursions and playdates and/or playgroups with the other educators in the area – oh and we subsidies entry fees that are charged for some of our trips like the Zoo making it even more affordable! We also fund children attending outside curricular activity like Mainly Music and the likes.