Things you need to know about being an Educarer.

You will need to have a warm and caring personality and enjoy working and playing with children, while providing a stimulating programme based on Te Whariki, the NZ Early Childhood Curriculum.

You will need to work from home with hours that are compatible with your families and your own life.

It may provide the opportunity to have playmates for your own children while receiving a fortnightly reimbursement.

You will have the opportunity to develop personal learning while training.

You will find that caring for and educating other people’s children is very rewarding, but it is also hard work and a big responsibility.

You must also be able to provide stable and consistent care and education for the children you care for.

Educarers must reach the requirements as set by The Ministry of Education. Your home must be fenced and meet the requirements of The Education Homebased Care Order 1992 and subsequent amendments, ie You must provide a clean, safe and hygienic indoor and outdoor environment.

Be prepared to have a police check done on yourself, partner and anyone else in your home over the age of 18 years.

You will be required to complete the Orientation and introduction to Family Daycare module, plus train and maintain a current first aid certificate. These are paid for by Bizzy Buddyz.

You will be required to attend additional training opportunities made available.

Rights and Responsibilities of Educarers

Ensure that all paper work e.g. timesheets and individual child profile sheets are kept up to date and returned to Bizzy Buddyz on time. Time sheets received late will mean late payment of reimbursements.

Realise that you are not an employee of Bizzy Buddyz, but provide a voluntary service and are paid a reimbursement of expenses fortnightly, directly to your bank account.

Advise Bizzy Buddyz of any over or under payment which shall be adjusted in the next payment.

This payment is not guaranteed income as parents may terminate care with a weeks notice and Bizzy Buddyz cannot ensure a replacement, although we will endeavour to do so.

You will receive assistance from Bizzy Buddyz in setting up care and ongoing supervision and support.

Ensure that the child/ren are solely in your care at all times. Children cannot be left in the care of another person at any time. Under no circumstances are children to be left unattended in a vehicle.

Have read and understood The Education Homebased Care Order and refer to it.

Be able to treat children with respect and dignity and encourage desirable behaviour in a positive manner without using harsh language, shouting or degrading responses.

No form of ill treatment, including smacking, verbal or emotional abuse is permitted.

Provide a smoke, drug and alcohol free environment while children are in care.

Shall not discriminate on grounds of sex, race, religion, marital status or disability.

In the event of an accident or sudden illness take the child to the nearest available doctor and notify parents and Bizzy Buddyz as soon as possible.

Record all accidents had by the child/ren and any medication to be taken on the appropriate forms, signed by the parents.

Ensure that children are seated while eating and drinking. Babies under 6 months must be held while being fed from a bottle – refer Homebased Care Order.

Be aware that there is a maximum of four children under 6 yrs that you can have in your care at any time, including two under the age of 2 yrs.

Must inform Bizzy Buddyz of any changes in the arrangement, conditions in the home e.g. other children being cared for or adults coming to stay.

Shall limit the childs television viewing and ensure any programmes are suitable. Bizzy Buddyz prefers that television and video viewing is used for educational purposes only and not just random watching.

Understand that whilst a child/ren are in care, parents and Bizzy Buddyz staff have right of entry to the home.

You will need to allow time for a planned visit from the co-ordinator each month or in some cases more, as well, we will often pop in.

All pre-school children in your care must be through Bizzy Buddyz. No private clients.

Can decline care arrangements that you do not feel is suitable.

Adhere to the Education Homebased Care Order 1992 and amendments or Bizzy Buddyz policies. Failure to adhere will be advised verbally and if no improvement is made a further warning will be made in writing. If an unsatisfactory situation continues, Bizzy Buddyz reserves the right to advise parents and to discontinue care with the Educarer.

In the case of a serious breach of the Education Homebased Care Order 1992 and amendments or Bizzy Buddyz Policies, or the child’s safety is at risk, Bizzy Buddyz reserves the right to cease care immediately and terminate use of the Educarer.

Keep confidentiality of families in your care.

Have good communication with your parents and inform them of the child’s day in care.

Equipment supplied by Bizzy Buddyz must be checked on arrival and return. Please notify Bizzy Buddyz of any broken or missing pieces. Return equipment clean and complete. Clean highchairs, cots, before returning. Keep all equipment provided by Bizzy Buddyz inside or under cover at night.

If you decide to cease being an Educarer you need to give two weeks notice in writing.