1. Tell us what you need
Get in touch with your child's age, the days and hours you need, and your suburb. We will help you find an educator close to home with a space that fits.
Home › Childcare
How Home-Based Childcare Works
Home-based childcare, sometimes called in-home daycare, means one qualified educator caring for a small group of up to four children in their own family home. Here is how it works, who looks after your child, and what a day with Kuddles looks like.
Looking for in-home childcare?
What is home-based childcare?
Home-based childcare is licensed early childhood education delivered in an educator's own home. One qualified educator cares for a small group of no more than four children a day, aged 0 to 6, following Te Whariki, the same national curriculum that early learning centres use. You may also hear it called in-home childcare, in-home daycare or home daycare.
At Kuddles, we strive to provide nurturing home-based care that replicates the quality care you provide in your own home. Our ECE-qualified educators create an environment where each child is valued and their needs are recognised.
We help children grow up as competent, confident learners and communicators through a well-planned programme that supports the physical, emotional, intellectual and social needs of every child.
Step by step
How does home-based childcare work?
Your child is cared for in a real family home, inside a licensed service. Kuddles educators comply with Ministry of Education regulations, are Police vetted along with their family members, and are visited regularly by our programme coordinators. Here is how it works, from your first enquiry to everyday care.
2. Visit the educator's home
Arrange a visit to meet the educator and see where your child would spend the day. Our list of questions worth asking a home-based educator can help you prepare.
3. Your child joins a small group
Your child is cared for with no more than three other children, during the days and hours you agree with your educator. Several educators offer early starts, later finishes or weekend care.
4. Learning is planned and recorded
Our programme coordinators and your educator plan an individual programme for your child, guided by Te Whariki, and record their learning in their own portfolio. See what children learn in home-based childcare.
From birth
Baby daycare and infant care (0 to 2)
We welcome babies and toddlers from birth, and most of our educators care for children from 0 to 6. If you are looking for daycare for infants, a home setting gives your baby something a busy centre cannot: one familiar educator, a settled daily routine, and a calm space that feels like a second home.
One familiar face
Your baby spends each day with the same educator, in the same home, so there is one trusted person to settle with rather than a changing roster of staff.
Close, responsive attention
With no more than four children in the home, your educator has time to respond to your infant's needs as they happen. With smaller numbers, children are also less exposed to illness.
Care that grows with them
Our programme coordinators work with each educator to respond to infants' and toddlers' development, ideas and ways of learning, and the ages each educator cares for are listed on their profile.
What we offer
Why families choose Kuddles childcare
Unique educational programme
From tracking learning milestones to play-based routines, we build an individualised educational programme for every child in our care.
Flexible hours
Life is busy, so let us work around your time. Our early childhood educators offer flexible hours to suit your family.
Multiple locations
We have educators right across Auckland. See the areas we cover and we will help you find your nearest Kuddles home.
Affordable childcare
Affordable rates with WINZ subsidy options and 20 hours of ECE for children aged 3 and up. See our fees below.
Individual learning plan
A programme built around your child
Our programme coordinators and visiting teachers develop an individual educational programme specifically for your child, based on their interests and learning and guided by Te Whariki, the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum.
Children do lots of exciting things with their educators. They dance, listen to music, sing, paint, bake and garden, building skills like balance, hand-eye coordination, colour and measuring through blocks, play dough, puzzles, books, sand and water play, and indoor and outdoor exploration.
Learning through play, every day
A day full of discovery
Hands-on play
Blocks, play dough, puzzles and sensory experiences that build fine motor skills and problem solving.
Creative discovery
Painting, baking, gardening and sensory play that spark curiosity and a love of learning.
Recorded progress
Educators notice, recognise and respond to learning, recording each child's journey in their own portfolio.
Our fees & funding
Quality childcare, made affordable
We help families make the most of the funding and subsidies available for early childhood education.
In-home educators
Our base rate for home-based educators starts at $8 an hour. Rates may vary depending on the experience and qualifications of the educator and your requirements.
20 hours ECE
Up to 20 hours of free ECE childcare every week for children aged 3 to 6 years. Terms and conditions apply.
WINZ childcare support
WINZ childcare subsidy support is available for eligible families. For more information, visit the Work and Income website or freephone 0800 559 009.
FamilyBoost up to 25%
FamilyBoost is a childcare payment that helps eligible households with the cost of early childhood education. Freephone 0800 559 009 for details.
Find your nearest Kuddles educator
Millwater
Silverdale
Mount Roskill
Avondale
Papatoetoe
Takanini
Papakura
Epsom
We have home-based educators with childcare spaces available right across Auckland. Get in touch and we will help you find the right educator close to home.