Educarers - Questions & Answers

Read on for answers to questions which educarers have asked us in the past. If your question is not answered here or you would like to know more please contact us on 0508 678 910 or complete and send this form. We are only too happy to help.
Click on the question you would like the answer to or scroll down the page to see all questions and answers provided.
 
Q. How much do educarers get paid?
A. All of our Bright Futures educarers get paid between $4.20 and $4.60 per hour per child. If you are looking after 4 children at any one time, this is equivalent to $16.80 per hour. Not only that, all Bright Futurers educarers, regardless of how many hours they work per week, enjoy FREE Bright Days as payment on public holidays when they would otherwise have children in their care.
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Q. Who will pay me – the parents or Bright Futures?
A. Unlike some other home-based child care services, Bright Futures will pay you every fortnight, regardless of whether or not the parent has paid for the care. That way you will never be out of pocket and will not have to spend any time chasing payment.
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Q. How do I apply to be a Bright Futures educarer?
A. Simply call us on 0508 678 910 or email us and we will send you an application form. No application will be accepted until we have a meeting with you at your home to ensure it meets our safety requirements.
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Q. Am I going to be on my own all the time or will I have some support?
A. Ask any of our existing educarers and they are likely to tell you that one of the reasons why they chose and continue to stay with Bright Futures is because of the support they receive from our management and administration team. Every month you will receive a visit from a Visiting Teacher and in between times, they are truly only a phone call or a short drive away. It is fair to say we go out of our way to make sure you have all the support you need.
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Q. You say there is free training – what do you mean by this?
A. We require all of our educarers to have a First Aid Certificate and encourage them all to have a qualification in Home-based childcare. If you do not have either then we are happy to pay for you to sit a comprehensive First Aid certificate and your core papers towards a certificate in home-based childcare.
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Q. You say Bright Futures offers learning as well as childcare – what do you mean by this?
A. It is important to a child’s development that they are not only being cared for but that they are learning and developing along the way. To help ensure this for our Bright Futures children, we require all of our educarers to follow the Te Whaariki curriculum as set out by the Ministry of Education. We will provide you with everything you need to help you.
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Q. You say there is equipment, playgroups and outings but I do not want to be asking parents for money or waiting for me to pay them back – is this a problem?
A. Not at all. Bright Futures recognises that educarers do not want to be out of pocket for encouraging their children to make the most of all the fun things that we provide. For that reason Bright Futures provides all equipment via a Toy Library, playgroups and outings at no charge to the educarer – or the parents for that matter.
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Q. What happens if I am unwell?
A. If you are unwell you cannot, according to Ministry or Education regulations, look after Bright Futures children. If you are unwell then you must let us know immediately so that we can arrange alternative care for the children.
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Bright Futures • phone 0508 678 910 • email us