3.1 Enrolment and Attendance Procedures

Licensed Playcentres provide education and care to tamariki under the age of six who are enrolled to
attend a centre.

3.1.2 Non-enrolled tamariki visiting licensed Playcentres

There may be times when a child who is not enrolled visits a Playcentre, accompanied by their parent or
another adult.

These visits may be of prospective whānau considering enrolment or older siblings of enrolled tamariki.

Note: If the parent is an employee of Playcentre Aotearoa, please refer to the Employee Handbook, ‘Being
both a Playcentre employee and member’ section.

Item Procedure
1.0

When non-enrolled tamariki attend a Playcentre session, the centre must:
• maintain a 1 adult to 5 tamariki (of any age) ratio
• maintain the maximum number of tamariki allowed as per the licence, with preference given to enrolled tamariki
• ensure their health and safety¹ without compromising the supervision and standard of education and care provided to enrolled tamariki
¹ The service provider as the PCBU should refer to the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 s36(2)
and s46 when considering who should be at a centre and how their presence will be managed.

Note: “A child of any age cannot visit a centre if regulated adult-to-child ratios cannot be met
and/or if the presence of an additional visiting child would mean that the centre exceeds the
maximum number of children specified on its licence.

For practical purposes there may be occasions when licence maximums are exceeded due to the
operation of the service, for example at pick up and drop off times or when a parent and child is
visiting to potentially enrol in the service. If your centre run events/activities where there are
additional adults and children on site during licensed hours of operation you need to consider how
to manage these events/activities without compromising the supervision and standard of education
and care provided to enrolled children.”

https://www.education.govt.nz/early-childhood/child-wellbeing-and-participation/non-enrolledtamariki-
visiting/#sh-non-enrolled
1.1

Centres will need to consider this Procedure and write a Centre Practice

Centres to consider (see Centre Practice example below):

• how to manage numbers to not exceed the maximum number of tamariki allowed as per the licence, with preference given to funded enrolled tamariki
• how child and adult safety will be managed including that of the visiting adult and child
• how visiting tamariki will not impede the education and care of the tamariki enrolled and attending
• optimal number of school-aged tamariki on session, for this centre, considering the numbers and ages of all enrolled tamariki
• that numbers do not exceed the occupant load specified on a Compliance Schedule and fire evacuation plans
• how to include an explanation about school-aged tamariki on session in information packs for prospective/new parents
• the rights of the enrolled tamariki
       To learn through play without disruption
       To be safe both physically and emotionally
• how parents of currently enrolled tamariki will be informed
• that the parent/caregiver understands they have responsibility for the care and wellbeing of their school-aged tamariki
• reviewing the Centre Practice every year or when necessary
• expectations of the parent/caregiver of school-aged tamariki (extra responsibilities, higher fees/donation – to cover materials used)
  2.0 Where non-enrolled tamariki are visiting occasionally (eg teacher-only days):
• prior to such an occasion, a register of tamariki planning to attend will be made, to allow for planning purposes
• where numbers of tamariki planning to attend are more than the licensed number, preference is given to enrolled tamariki
• tamariki will be signed in via the tablet as a visitor (include full name and age of visitor; full name and phone number of parent/caregiver; purpose of visit)
• one or more adults on session will have a primary focus of the school-aged tamariki
• a plan will be made for the overall running of the session, to allow for all tamariki to remain safe, involved, and able to play positively
• the parent/caregiver has responsibility for the care and wellbeing of their school-aged tamariki
3.0 Where non-enrolled tamariki are visiting regularly:
• tamariki will be signed in via the tablet as a visitor (include full name and age of visitor; full name and phone number of parent/caregiver; purpose of visit)
• parents/caregivers of the non-enrolled tamariki are responsible for their child while on session
• the centre will regularly review ‘how’s it going for xxx’ ‘what’s changed (eg height of child – can now climb the fence)’ – discussion at end-of-session evaluations [could include school-aged tamariki]
• parent/caregiver is encouraged to share the programme/plan for their (school-aged) child (communicated with others)
• consideration is given to whether the school-aged tamariki wish to be involved with the enrolled tamariki in their play (in a leadership role / tuakana-teina relationship), or prefer to carry out individual activities/play
• older tamariki regularly visiting are considered role models and may be expected to contribute to the programme (tuakana-teina/leadership role)
• the number of tamariki visiting regularly are to be included on Centre Supervision Plan to ensure maximum licence number is not exceeded each session
• the centre will agree/decide on the optimal number of school-aged tamariki on session, for this centre, considering the numbers and ages of all enrolled tamariki
4.0

If issues arise:
  – refer to Positive Guidance Policy and Procedure
  – refer to Complaint Resolution Policy
     discuss with either

  • the person concerned
  • the local Centre President or equivalent, or Centre Advisor, whomever is most appropriate given the nature of the complaint
  • an employee’s manager (in the case of an employee or employee involvement)

 – Seek support from regional team

 – review the Centre Practice