Gisborne Sprouts
We offer 20 hours of ECE childcare per week (6 hours per day) for all 3 & 4 year olds.
Office hours: 8:30am to 4:30pm
Contact us: Click here to view contact details
Fees $5.30 per hour (WINZ subsidies available)
Services / activities offered
- Playgroup Tuesday and Friday 9.30am to 11.30am (during school term)
- Monthly excursions in the community including visits to the park, museum of technology, and Police station.
Jo Gregory, Regional Manager
Sprouts. I am a mother of four, and a grandmother of one. I started my early childhood training in 1992 when I started playcentre with my daughter. I attended playcentre until my youngest son went to school. While a playcentre mum, I completed all the playcentre training up to federation certificate. My formal qualifications include an Early Childhood Diploma, and I am a registered teacher. I have been working in Early Childhood for 15 years, I strive to provide the best quality care, education and support that home-based childcare can provide.
Raelene and Jo, Sprouts In-Home Childcare, Gisborne
Raelene Somerton,Visiting Teacher
Hi, my name is Raelene Somerton. I am married with three little girls. Miah and Erin are twins and have just turned five; Holly is one and a half and keeps her big sisters on their toes.
After I finished school, I ventured down to Palmerston North where I attended Palmerston North teachers college and studied early childhood education. After obtaining my diploma in early childhood, I gained my degree in Education at Massey University.
After working for a couple of years I travelled over to England for my big O.E. where I worked in many different areas including working as a Nanny,Teacher and for a travel company, where I ran the kids club in a holiday resort in Tunisia.
On returning back to New Zealand I met my husband Tim. As both our families come from Gisborne we have made our home here too and our girls love being close to their extended family. As a family we appreciate the support and help that they have given us. I understand the pressures that can be placed on a family without the right support and that is why I am passionate about what we do here at Sprouts.
Christine Miller,Playgroup Teacher
Hi, my name is Christine Miller and I am the Playgroup Teacher. I am married and have two children, two dogs, 5 cats, a guinea pig and two budgies. I also foster kittens for the SPCA.
I first started in Early Childhood Teaching about 11 years ago, with my training at Hospital Childcare. When I had completed my three years training I worked for a couple of years at Te Karaka Pre school, and then had my two children.
Whilst at home with my two children I worked with Home based Childcare. Once my youngest started school I went back to work at Victoria Childare.
During all this time I have been avidly interested and enthusiastic about Music for the under fives. Together with Jannet Channon's help (from the Kids Music Company) I have grown in confidence and skill in this area. I have also organised Music workshops in conjunction with Plunket.
I look forward to spending a fantastic time here at Sprouts In Home Childcare.
What makes Sprouts In-Home Childcare stand out from other providers in the region?
- Gisborne Sprouts is a close-knit organisation with hands on supporting educators and staff that are focused on nurturing children and their wellbeing
- Loyalty to children and families
- Networking and supporting one another
- Playgroup 3 times a week
- Special outings in the community as a group
- Monthly resources given to educators and children
- Ratio 1 educator to a maximum of 4 children
- We work as a team
What is Sprouts point of difference?
- We respect each child’s individual learning skill as they develop and grow with Sprouts
- The quality of care provided
- Small groups of children
- Manager and co-ordinator knows every child in service
- Playgroup 3 times a week ran by a trained ECE Teacher
How are we nurturing children for life?
- "Through every day activities, positive role modelling, learning children’s interests so being able to extend these easier than in a centre (large group)” Gisborne Sprouts Co-ordinator
- “The children look up to me for guidance, fun, and general nurturing. I teach them good manners and that they are responsible for their actions and also teach them simple life skills that they understand.” Gisborne Sprouts Educator
- “I am a bit old fashioned and like to encourage the children to be polite and use their manners as well as respecting one another. I think these skills will prove to be valuable tools as they progress through all stages of life” Gisborne Sprouts Educator
- “By providing children with a homelike environment, that allows the children and their families to feel comfortable and have their needs met and tended to.” Gisborne Sprouts Educator
- “Sprouts is unique in that it can provide the love of a solid family life, and the quality of educating the children not just in basic schooling but life skills, which is easy to do when they feel safe and loved” Gisborne Sprouts Educator
- "By helping children grow, learn and define the skills they have, and providing a safe and secure learning environment.” Gisborne Sprouts Educator
How are relationships and families nurtured?
- Very close relationships with families
- Trust
- Sharing children’s development, and events of the day with families
- By families being made to feel welcome at Educators homes, Playgroup and excursions
- Children and families being part of educators’ family
- By keeping the lines of communication open with parents and children
- Input from all involved is essential for quality service and the forefront for a job well done
- Each family/whānau are treated with respect, and understanding of their beliefs, customs, values, and culture
What do Educators love about their job?
- The children!
- Exploring, getting dirty, sticky, wet
- Learning from children their weakness and strengths and developing them
- Working with a great team who are involved with helping my skills and learning to being part of a dedicated team of Educators and staff
- Making a difference in children’s lives
- Extending children’s thinking
- Love the freedom of being able to take children out into the community
- Being able to work with children from home is great as they gain a sense of belonging and when they come running to you as they arrive you know that you have won over a part of their heart
- Love helping people
- Love watching children be happy, use their imagination, being active
- Love the warm loving relationships formed between Educator and children
- Love it when children show you what they have learnt and achieved each day
- Love to see children smile and have fun
What are your special unique features?
- Taking the time to watch, educate, learn and grow with the children as individuals
- Watching, encouraging and allowing children to learn and explore
- Playing and learning at children’s level
- Our location of some Educators’ homes being semi rural
- Very caring Educators who plan their day around the children’s interests
- Making sure that all children’s individual needs are met
- Being able to attend playgroup sessions 3 times a week which is run by an ECE trained Teacher
Home based gives parents another option in child care, with small groups, children and families build closer relationships with their Educators
For Educators it can be about making new friends through other Educators and families. Gisborne Sprouts have a great support network and the children are encouraged to all get along TEAMWORK amongst all, Manager, Co-ordinator, Playgroup Teacher, Educators and Children.
“I wouldn’t change my job for all the tea in China as I have 4 wonderful children and I work with lovely Educators” Gisborne Sprouts Educator
“I love and enjoy my job in all aspects, working with Jo, Raelene and Desiree and listening and watching all they have to give, they are patient outgoing ladies who are passionate and hands on and make work life easy and enjoyable. All the children who choose to be with us, watching them grow into intelligent beautiful young people. WHAT A PRIVILEGE!” Gisborne Sprouts Educator
Families are invited to be involved with their children in all aspects of Sprouts from parent voices in Journals, invitations on excursions in the community such as fire station, police station, bike day at skate park, attending playgroup sessions which is run by an ECE trained Teacher
