Why Choose a Dream Educator

At Dream we are passionate about children being cared for in a home environment. If you love home-based but don't want someone living in your home (an Au Pair) and a Nanny is not affordable, then a home-based Educator may be the perfect option for you. We are the premium agency offering home-based childcare in Auckland.

Dream home-based Educators care for your child in their own home with a maximum of four children under the age of six years and never more than two children under the age of two.

Small group sizes is proven to help children to build responsive and reciprocal relationships. Growing skills such as sharing, trust and kindness.

Home-based childcare enables your child’s routine to be continued in the Educators home giving your child the opportunity to experience everyday life situations such as, cooking, shopping, going for walks, visiting parks, attending music and movement groups etc.

Dream Educator is licensed by the Ministry of Education and all our Educators follow the Dream Education Programme.

What Does it Cost?

Fees, Charges and Funding

Our Educators operate as Private Independent Contractors. They charge their own fees and are responsible for all financial arrangements with the parents. Educators charge anywhere between $6 to $20 per child, per hour depending on experience, qualifications, location and optional extras provided. Home-based childcare in Auckland is one of the most affordable childcare options available.

Optional extras may include:

  • Excursions and outings
  • Transport pick ups/drop offs
  • Sunscreen, food and nappies
  • Specific teaching resources such as a dance or music teacher
  • Extension programmes

20 Hours ECE

Dream Educator offers 20 hours ECE. This entitles every 3 and 4 year old child enrolled with a Dream Educator to receive up to 20 hours ECE education per week. As a parent/caregiver you may claim a maximum of 6 hours per day, and up to 20 hours per week across all services.

Children enrolled at more than one ECE Service

Parents are able to split their 20 ECE hours between two or more ECE services or kĹŤhanga reo.

WINZ Subsidies

WINZ subsidies are available to those who are eligible.

Our Educators

Dream Educators are carefully selected for their warm and caring natures and their love of children. We only employ the very best.

They are qualified and attend regular professional development opportunities to continually upskill and develop their talents. All Dream Educators have been reference checked, police vetted and hold a current First Aid Certificate. Anyone over 17 years living in the home have also been police vetted.

Our Educators provide a safe environment where your child is valued and their needs are recognised enabling them to become competent, confident learners. Dream Educators homes all have a fenced outdoor play area.

Dream Educators, who offer home-based childcare in Auckland, create a tailored educational programme for each individual child. Your child’s learning journey will be documented using our online platform Educa where your Educator and Visiting Teacher will share regular updates and photos.

North Auckland

Lisa
North Auckland

Kerry
North Auckland

Lynne
North Auckland

Sandy
North Auckland

Sherri
North Auckland

Berneece
North Shore Auckland

Sheri
North Shore Auckland

Jana
North West Auckland

Jeanine
North West Auckland

Rachel B
South Auckland

Haley
North Auckland

Jo

North Auckland

Lisa

Hi! My name is Lisa. I live on the sunny Hibiscus Coast with my wonderful husband and our fur baby cat. In my spare time, I love to read, dance, go for walks, bake, and watch movies. I am a qualified Primary and ECE Teacher, and worked in Early Childhood Centres for seven years before moving into the home-based sector in 2020 – and have never looked back! I have a great passion for teaching the under five age group – seeing and being a part of their growth and development is such an honour. I feel so grateful to have the opportunity to share in this special stage of life with them. I love the small ratios that home-based education offers, as it provides more opportunities for personalised care and one-on-one time with each child. I believe that children learn best through play and relationships, and I provide an environment that supports and encourages this. Each child’s individual needs and interests are my focus, and are met through responsive activities and experiences. I love to share my passion for reading, music and dance with them too – these are frequent activities in my house! I utilise our location in the local community with regular outings to the beach, playgroups, playgrounds, and library; while also venturing further out to visit our awesome attractions around Auckland such as the Zoo and MOTAT.

North Auckland

Kerry

Hi I’m Kerry, I have been caring for children in my home for the past 9 years. Prior to this I was a preschool teacher and Nanny. I love getting children out in the community and social settings, exploring nature and engaging in messy play. I am passionate about home-based childcare and the nurturing environment it affords. The children I care for become very a much part of my family, I have 2 gorgeous children of my own, an 11 year old boy, a 10 year old girl, and wonderful husband.

North Auckland

Lynne

I have worked in the home-based sector for 21 years, starting when my sons were only little and now they are fully grown. I enjoyed it so much I kept on going, welcoming over 50 families to my home in that time. What I love about home-based is that children have the opportunities to do activities and outings just the same as what mum would do. Also including the whanau in all we do so my house just becomes an extension of theirs so that we are all one big family.

North Auckland

Sandy

Hi I’m Sandy. I was born in Taiwan and have settled in New Zealand with my husband and two beautiful daughters, a 4 year old and a 8 year old. I have been working as a home-based Educator for the past 3.5 years and I have a Level 5 Certificate in Early Childhood Education. I provide home-based childcare as I believe childcare in an environment that is like your home feels safe and secure for children. I believe this security helps them to become confident learners. I offer children in my care a variety of learning environments and look at each child’s interest to motivate them in their own individual way. I love to get out into the community, exploring nature, playgroup and musical classes.

North Auckland

Sherri

My name is Sherri, and I am a home-based Educator based in Stanmore Bay, Whangaparaoa.
I have two adult children one of whom is still at home and two small older dogs. I have been an Educator since 1998 starting when my first born was a baby. In my house I have a room that I work out of which has a deck and outside area. This is a purpose-built room, and it is set up for the children. My dogs are not in this area at all as I prefer to keep them separate from the children. I love watching children grow and develop in ability and confidence and the role I play in helping this happen. I like to encourage empathy and those children have the social skills to deal with their peers independently or know how to ask for help if needed. We also go out in our local community making the most of the beautiful area we live in and mixing with other Educators.

North Auckland

Berneece

I am a retired ECE teacher who has worked with women and children for over 45 years as a Social Worker (ATWC), Rehabilitation Coordinator (ACC), and in various Early Childhood settings, Kindergarten, Preschool, Daycare Centers etc. At one time I owned and taught in Penninsula Preschool and Fairy Godmothers Inc (FGI) the largest home based childcare on the Northshore and Hibiscus Coast. I am a firm believer that small children learn and thrive better in small groups and home style environments. I do not believe in the factory farming of children. After being retired for 4 years I came to miss the company of small children. I am now caring for the most adorable 6 month old and my home rings with the laughter of children again. It is the most beautiful sound in the world and one I enjoy very much.

North Shore Auckland

Sheri

Hello, my name is Sheri, I am married to my best friend and our family is completed with 2 beautiful children. I have started my early childhood education journey 6 years ago when I became a mother. Teaching our tamariki has been my dream profession since I was a kid myself and has helped motivate me to be my best self ever since then. Being an early childhood teacher gave me a genuine opportunity to make a difference in young lives and influence future generations. I always love to learn new things and working with children is a HUGE learning experience. Currently I have my Level 3 Early Childhood Certificate from NZSE and previously I have been playcenter mum and also working at daycare.  I have a passion for providing a safe, calm and enriching environment for the children in my care and I offer a wide range of activities and learning opportunities. I believe in allowing children the opportunity and space to explore resources and interests in their own time with support from myself in building their potential. Tamariki are given love and care in my environment as well as families feeling constantly welcome within my space. Looking forward to seeing you 🙂 Activities I provide: A purposefully set up playroom; art activities; large outdoor play space with swing, slide and trampoline; sensory/messy play; weekly music sessions and playgroups; bush walks; story time at library; play dates with other Educators 

North Shore Auckland

Jana

Kia ora! My name is Jana and I live in Beach Haven with the youngest 2, of my 4 sons. We have lived in the area for 20 years and would love to welcome you and your little one into our home. I have been working as an Educator since the beginning of 2016, and have a Level 4, NZ Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care. I have trained as a Registered Nurse in New Zealand and Midwife and Health Visitor (similar to a Plunket Nurse) in the UK. I provide a warm, caring, homely environment with lots of rich experiences, activities and creative space. It is important to me that children have time for uninterrupted play, in a calm unhurried environment. Being outside gives children joy, encouraging wonder, curiosity, and a connection with the natural environment. I love that through home-based care I am able to give children the opportunity to explore and play outside in the beautiful local parks,  bush and beaches we are surrounded by. We also get to music, gymnastics, play dates and other outings, such as the library, museum, zoo and Motat, often with other Educators and friends. This gives us the best of both worlds. The many benefits of our small, mixed age family group and the opportunity to make friendships and connection with a larger group.  You are very welcome to contact me for a chat and visit to see if this might be the right fit for your child.

North West Auckland

Jeanine

I am a mother of two girls as well as a step mother to another young lady. I am married to my husband Geoff. We have many animals from dogs, cats, birds, chickens and a rabbit which bring a lot of joy to our household, with the care children helping to feed and look after them. Egg collecting is a big hit as well as it’s like a Easter egg hunt with free range chickens. I have been doing home-based childcare for 12 years so far and love every minute of it. I enjoy watching the children learn new skills and grow. My care children become part of our whanau. We do a lot of outdoor learning and go out exploring most mornings. The children’s learning is lead by their interests. We also go to playgroups and mainly music each week.

North West Auckland

Rachel B

Hi I’m Rachel and I’ve been working as a home-based Educator for the past 6.5 years. Prior to becoming a home-based Educator I was a qualified/registered ECE teacher and worked in childcare centres for about 12 years, mainly working with under 2’s. Being a solo parent to two school aged children meant the flexibility of home-based care was a good fit for my family and meant I could be home for my own children when needed. Home-based care also gives you the opportunity to develop close bonds with the children you care for and their families. Even though I provide home-based care you won’t often find us at home. I love to get out into the community and surrounding areas and explore what’s on offer whether it be a beach, playground, forest or even a skate park. Most days we meet up with other Educators in the area so the children can form relationships outside of their group. This is also a great time to share ideas and help each other out where needed. I believe children deserve a nurturing, relaxed, unhurried environment to grow and develop to their full potential with lots of opportunities of exploration, social interaction, spontaneity and free play!

South Auckland

Haley

My name is Haley and I live with my partner Darin, 4 year old son Joshua and our 1 year old Cavoodle Sadie in Totara Heights in Manukau. I have been a Nanny for over 10+ years until the birth of my son in 2018. After a year off I started my home-based childcare service. I believe children learn best through play and getting out into the local community. I provide a home away from home and care for children as if they were my own. We love goofing around and having fun as well as instilling those important life skills. 

North Auckland

Jo

Hi I’m Jo. I live in Manly with my partner and beautiful dog Harry. I also have an adult son who has flown the nest a while ago. I have been working as an in home educator for the past nine years. I love this avenue of childcare as, being a small group, children have more freedom to explore their individual interests through play. I believe each child to be an individual and should be treated as such. I believe I need to find their strengths and build on these in order to further bring out their learning, development and self esteem. I offer many varied activities during the day, a few being art, messy play, Science experiments and getting out and about with the lovely Harry. I also regularly attend playgroups with my children, allowing for extended social interactions with their peers.

Register Now

Take the First Step

If you are interested in finding home-based childcare in Auckland, please fill in our Family Registration Form or contact us for more information. Once you are registered, we will be in touch to find the perfect Educator for your family.