Educator FAQ's

How do I get paid?
We collect the payments for you on behalf of your families so that you can be assured that you will still get paid.

How often do I get paid?
Payment is made to you fortnightly on a Wednesday night.

What about holiday pay and holidays etc?
As an Educator with Home Grown Kids, you contract yourself to us to provide childcare from your own home. You are therefore classed as self employed and not entitled to holiday pay. Any time you are unable to provide care to children, the parents are not charged and you will not receive payment for that day unless you are able to make a special arrangement with your families.

What about things like tax, PAYE?
This will be fully explained in the tax information pack that we will send you. Or find out more through the IRD's website. This will also be available to you to download once you are fully registered. We will of course help you with this.

Would if affect my benefit (DPB or payment from spouse)?
In a minimal way, yes it does. If you are on a benefit, only a small portion of what you receive in care fees is classed as income. This means that the majority of money you earn will be yours and not subject to tax! The tax information will give you a clearer guideline on this. But as an Educator with us you will pay significantly less tax.

Do I need accounting software/receipt books etc?
No, we take care of this for you. But! It's a good idea to have a record of each child you care for, and the hours they attend etc. You can do this with a spreadsheet on your computer.

What is the Educator Advertising Pack all about?
We will send you absolutely FREE an advertising pack. Click here to see what the pack contains.

How much will I be paid if I look after children in my own home?
Potential parents are aware it is a negotiable rate with the Educator, we recommend starting from $5.00 per hour per child, but it really is up to you. Educators usually set their rates based on their experience. You obviously don't want to set your rate too high, or you won't attract any families, and not too low either. As long as you are willing to be flexible you can usually come to an agreeable rate with parents. Depending on where you live, we can advise you on what a competitive rate is.