SPACE is an exciting and very innovative early childhood programme now available in most regions in New Zealand. 

It is for mainly first time parents and their newborn babies. Occasionally Grandparents or other relatives also participate.

Weekly sessions with 12 – 15 infants and their parents include:  the opportunity to meet and get to know other new parents; discussions on relevant child development and parenting topics; play sessions with appropriate equipment that supports infants learning and development; an introduction to rhymes, music and books for infants.  A different discussion topic is introduced each week that is relevant to parenting and to babies’ growth and learning. 

The programme is overseen by the SPACE NZ and their national team who are based in Lower Hutt.  The national team are responsible for the programme along with providing support and training for people wishing to provide SPACE sessions in their community.

Open:  Sessions are held weekly for approximately 2 ½ hours, over  3 to 4 terms (30 – 40 weeks), extending through the first year of the child's life.  Closed during school holiday breaks though this may vary depending upon the individual SPACE provider and community.

Minimum and Maximum Hours of Attendance:  SPACE sessions generally run for 2 -3 hours, once per week although this may range between services. Some sessions run for a longer period, including lunch. 

Address: SPACE sessions are available at many Playcentres and other organisations at suitable community venues throughout New Zealand. 

Online:  www.space.org.nz

Children with Disabilities and Children with Medical Conditions:   All infants are warmly welcomed and supported.

Gifted and Talented Children and Children with Special Learning Needs:   Facilitators, while meeting group needs also consider individual parent and infant requirements. This may take the form of providing resources to cater for and extend an individual infant’s development, and/or linking participants with the appropriate services or information to support them in their role as parents. Parents stay with their infants during the sessions and are encouraged to watch and enjoy their baby’s capabilities. Sharing moments encourage a time of reflection, with parents sharing their expectations, fears and aspirations for their children. This kind of environment creates an open forum for discussions allowing parents to build on relationships and draw upon the collective knowledge within the group. 

Staff Gender:  Men and women.

Languages Spoken by Staff Fluently: 

• This is dependent on the organisation running each  SPACE programme and the participants.  For example, some SPACE sessions have a Pacific Peoples influence. 
• The introduction of Te Reo through waiata and whakatauki is a routine part of the SPACE programme.
• Participants are invited and encouraged to share aspects of their and/or their baby’s culture with the group. 

Range of Different Qualifications held by Staff:

• All SPACE Facilitators (or Co-Facilitators) and Support Persons complete SPACE Training.
• SPACE programmes are delivered by two facilitators.   The combinations are either a SPACE Facilitator with SPACE Support Person or two SPACE Co-Facilitators
• Typically at least 1 Facilitator has an Early Childhood qualification such as Playcentre Diploma (Course 3-4); ECE Diploma etc.
• The 2nd Facilitator or Support Person has other relevant qualifications or experience that relate to working with parents and infants. This may include a nurse, community worker, experienced parent, primary teacher, health worker etc.

Parent Say:  The continued delivery of any individual SPACE programme is influenced both by the parents and babies participating in that programme, the Facilitators, and the Organisation responsible for running that SPACE programme.  Facilitators adapt the programme content to suit the participants within the group, and although core components remain the same regardless of where SPACE is being run, each Organisation adds its own ‘flavour’ to the programme. 

SPACE NZ adapts and develops the programme nationally according to feedback from Participants, Facilitators and Organisations involved with running SPACE. This allows the programme to evolve and meet the needs of its participants. 

Features the SPACE NZ Team Say They Are Proud Of: 

• “The SPACE programme provides a forum for parents to share their experiences and an opportunity to consider different perspectives on various topics. Because we believe the parent is the most important educator of their child we actively invite them to consider, evaluate and decide which philosophy is the best for their family and circumstances” .
• “We acknowledge and respect parents’ choices while valuing and empowering them as parents and individuals”.
•  “We provide guidance on where parents can access resources and support”.