2nd November 2012
To all Grace Kindergarten parents and whanau,
The Kindergarten Board of Management has been setting the budget for 2013. As many of you will know, the funding rate for early childhood services, commonly called ‘20 hours free ECE’, has remained unchanged for two years now. Last year we were able to accommodate our rising costs through a small increase in the recommended donations and by keeping a tight reign on our spending. For 2013 we need to make some fundamental changes to ensure the ongoing financial stability of Grace.
For 2013 the following changes are proposed to occur:
1. The Morning Session will increase in time. It will now run from 8.30am to 11.30am. This is an increase of 30min per session.
2. The Afternoon Session will have a small decrease in time. It will run from 12noon to 4pm. It will still qualify for the entire ‘20 hours free ECE’.
3. Both sessions will increase from 24 children to 25 children.
4. The Morning Session’s recommended donation will increase from $40 per term to
$50 per term.
5. The Afternoon Session’s recommended donation will increase from $60 per term to
$65 per term.
The board has investigated a number of options and believes this combination of options bests meet the need to ensure Grace is financially stable as well as being consistent with our philosophy. We are excited at the opportunities that having additional session time with the morning children brings can bring.
At this stage these changes are a proposal. We will be talking with our neighbours as these changes will require resource consent. As we work through this consent process, please feel free to feedback your thoughts to one of the board members.
A new climbing wall
Onslow Community Church has donated a climbing wall which you will see is in the outside play area. We have been looking at climbing holds and there are a great variety of options. We are seeking someone with experience in climbing to help us purchase and install the right equipment on the wall. If you have any experience in this area, please let one of the teachers know.
Start and Finish Dates for 2013
The following are the term dates for 2013:

Term One: 28 January – 19 April
Term Two: 6 May – 12 July
Term Three: 29 July – 27 September
Term Four: 14 October – 20 December

We do recognize these dates may be slightly earlier, for the beginning of the year, and later, for the end of the year, than some schools. It is not a problem for your child to start and/or finish in sync with your older children(s) school date. However please let the teachers know.
Survey
Thank you to all those who completed the survey. It has provided valuable feedback. This information is being incorporated into our curriculum review, currently underway.
Applications for Places
Places are available for Grace Kindergarten in 2013. We encourage you to spread the word about Grace to your friends and family. Enrolment forms are available from the teachers or off the website http://www.grace.ac.nz under the “Enrol Now!” tab.
God bless you
The Grace Kindergarten Board of Management
Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. Prov 3:13-14
