The Funhouse operates two centres, one for 18 babies up to 2 to 2 ½ years of age and one for 28 preschoolers.  The service is licensed for more children but prefers to keep numbers slightly smaller for the benefit of children.

The Funhouse is operated by a Family Trust, of which the service manager, Katrina Culhane has a financial interest. As part-owner and manager, Katrina is passionate about ensuring the best care and early learning for children. She is hands-on in the service and well known to the parents and local families in Wanganui.

Open:  Monday to Friday 7:30am – 5:30pm. Open during school holidays. Children may attend all day or part-day. The morning and afternoon session cut off and start time is 12.30pm  

Minimum and Maximum Hours of Enrolment: The minimum is two half-days, two days a week. This can be two half-days or a full day and a half-day session.  The maximum hours a child can attend in a week is 50.

Address:  The Funhouse Centre building for over two-year-old children is located at 254 St Hill Street, Wanganui.  Baby Care is provided at 260 St Hill Street, Wanganui.

Online: www.funhouselearning.co.nz  

Children with Disabilities:   The Funhouse provides wheel chair access. Play space is arranged in a way that can accommodate children’s individual physical needs. The Funhouse has never turned a child down. They have previously cared for children with Spina Bifida and Down Syndrome.

Children with Medical Conditions: Staff access training as needed on preventative medication to ensure the children receive the best care.  

Gifted and Talented Children:  Resources for children at their level of learning are provided to support children’s special gifts and talents. Their learning is supported and extended as it would be for any other child. The staff observe and understand were the child is at with their learning and support the child to develop and grow further.

Children with Special Learning Needs:  The child is observed and staff understand where the child is at and work with the child with appropriate resources to extend and support his/her learning. Staff spend extra one-on-one time to help the child to develop knowledge and learn. The centre will provide a referral to the Special Education Service if this would be helpful, in consultation with the child’s parents.

Staff Gender:  All staff are women.

Languages Spoken by Staff Fluently:  English and Maori

Range of Different Qualifications held by Staff:

• Diploma in Teaching
• Degree in Education
• Speech language course

Parent Say:  It would depend on the change wanted and how it would affect the centre. But all opinions are considered.

Grouping Practices:  The children are grouped in the centres on the basis of their age.

Features The Funhouse Say They Are Proud Of: 

1. Organisational Dimensions

• We have an extra member of staff over and above the minimum legal requirement.
• The centre is a home away from home and provides a family atmosphere.
• We have a cook on site each day who cooks a fresh meal meeting nutritional requirements.
• The centre regularly goes on excursions into the community at no extra cost to parents.
• The centre fee includes everything. Parents are not asked to pay for anything extra.

2. The Indoor Environment

We are proud of the way the environment is set up with various areas of play with appropriate resources for children to engage in play with.

3.  The Outdoor Environment

• The great space that the children have to run around and play in.