OUR STORY
Kids After School was started in 1998 by a parent who had a child at Pukekohe Hill School. She saw a need in the community for an after school programme. Parents were not happy with some of the options available, so she decided to set one up to meet their needs.
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Carolyn Payne bought the business in 2005. At that point she was working for a forklift company and wanted a change. She had also been involved with Kids After School doing the accounts.
Having already raised one son (her oldest is now in his 30's) a toddler and pregnant with her youngest, Carolyn knew she could do the job. “I’m organised and good with kids,” she told herself at the time. “I knew I could do it and got really excited about it.”
Carolyn Payne
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Since then the business has grown and developed. New programmes were opened at Bombay School in 2006, Patumahoe School in 2007, Harrisville School in 2009, View Road School in 2011 (moved to Waiuku Primary in 2014), Karaka School in 2018, Pokeno School in 2020, Paerata School in 2021, Te Hihi School in 2022 and our newest programme for 2022 in Hillpark School.
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Kids After School is a really popular choice for parents with children at schools in the Franklin/South Auckland area.
ABOUT US
“The Art of Teaching is the Art of Assisting Discovery”
โWe consider ourselves to be a home away from home for the children in our care, providing a unique link between school and home.
KAS has fostered relationships with families and schools in the Franklin/South Auckland area and remains committed to providing MSD Social Sector Level 3 Accreditation. You can be sure your children are being looked after by carefully selected people who are really enthusiastic about providing quality care, promoting active participation, enhancing self esteem and delivering positive experiences.
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Our Holiday Programmes are supported by the Ministry of Social Development Funding.
We take pride in the fact that we get to know each child individually. Our supervisors and caregivers often know when one of the children has had a bad day or if something is bothering them - your child is not just a number to us. We really care and take an interest in things going on in their lives.
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We endeavour to have one adult to every 10 children at the after school programme or one adult to eight children for excursions. We have a programme manager (team leader) at each centre, supervisors who provide excellent care and back up the programme manager. High school students and trainee teachers make up the rest of the staff ratios.
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KAS’s owner, Carolyn Payne, is on the executive committee for the Out of School Care Network so we often have advance knowledge of developments in our industry.
OUR PEOPLE
CAROLYN PAYNE
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Kids After School has been my passion since 2005. KAS’s small beginnings have grown and thrived along with the size of the town. I have loved working within the communities we are part of, with the children and their families and our wonderful KAS staff, past and present. My other passion is my family. I have 4 sons and a daughter and now a granddaughter to add to our ever growing brood.
LEEANNE bREARLEY
PROGRAMME COORDINATOR
I have one adult child who eats me out of house and home ๐. Working with children is my passion and I have published a children’s book. In my spare time I like to write, spend time with family and friends, travelling and I’m always keen to try something new (unless it has to do with heights).
MICHELLE MILLER
OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
I love the variety in my role, I get to work with an amazing team of people who are passionate about providing the most nurturing and safe environment for our precious children. Visiting our programmes and seeing the kids laughing and having fun is the best part of my day, I also love hearing what they have to say – some of it is very amusing!
ROSANNE MARTIN
ADMINISTRATOR
I am a proud Mum and Nana. I love spending time with my family, interior design and time with my hubby and dog (Cooper).
TIFFANY BENNENBROEK
HOLIDAY PROGRAMMES COORDINATOR
I’m an avid nature & animal lover who discovered my other passion for working with children when I started at KAS many, many years ago. I also love classic cars and all things vintage.
AMBER TURNER
PROGRAMME & OPERATIONS COORDINATOR SUPPORT
OUR VALUES
We care about the kids!
We provide a safe, caring and fun place for the kids to be while their parents/caregivers are working. Our service is aimed to take the stress away for families, so they have confidence and reassurance that while they are at work, their children are being well cared for.
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We have six key values that we enrich with our staff and kids:
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Belonging
everyone feels like they are a member of the KAS family by being happy and comfortable, having great relationships within the programme, and feeling good about themselves.
Quality
to provide a high-quality programme with interesting and stimulating activities and services to enhance children’s experiences with KAS and enrich their world.
Nurture
to make dedicated time for children and offer a place where they feel loved and safe and where emotional and physical needs are met.
Trust
to provide an environment where children can be their best selves, build strong relationships and show a sincere interest in children, their families and each other’s lives.
Respect
having a due regard for the feelings, wishes and belongings of the complete KAS family Being polite and kind in all our interactions every day.
Responsibility
to ensure KAS philosophies and practices are woven into the core of our daily interactions with children, encouraging independence and self-belief.
'To me there is no picture so beautiful as smiling, bright-eyed, happy children; no music so sweet as their clear and ringing laughter.'
P.T. Barnum