Omanu Preschool

Sometimes these moments can be hard on everyone:
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THE PHONE CALL NO PARENT WANTS… AND NO EDUCATOR WANTS TO MAKE

There are few phone calls parents dread more than the one from daycare saying their child is unwell.

Because behind that call is often immediate stress.

Work meetings needing to be cancelled.
Shift changes.
Trying to organise who can leave.
The guilt of not being there already.
The worry about your child.

We see that.

We understand that for many families, one sick day can create a ripple effect through the entire week.

And we know most parents are not frustrated because they don’t care.

Usually it’s because they care deeply… while trying to hold together lives that already feel very full.

But we also want to gently share another side too.

Making those calls is hard for educators as well.

Because we know what it means when we make them.

We know the stress it can cause.
We know some parents will feel overwhelmed or upset.
We know many are already stretched emotionally, mentally and financially.

And the truth is…

No educator enjoys calling a parent to say their child is sick.

But when we do, it always comes from one place:

Care.

Care for your child who needs comfort and support.
Care for the other children in the environment.
Care for the wellbeing of our educators too.

Our team are not trying to make your day harder.

They are trying to do what is safest and kindest in a difficult moment.

And sometimes, because emotions are high, frustrations can land on the people making the call.

The educator.
The receptionist.
The team member who is simply following health guidelines and trying to support everyone involved.

But behind those calls are humans too.

People who have spent the day comforting your child.
Cleaning up vomit.
Holding children while they cry.
Trying to protect the health of an entire centre environment.

And they deserve kindness too.

We truly believe this is one of those situations where everyone is often doing their best inside a system that can feel incredibly hard.

Parents are stretched.
Educators are stretched.

And at the centre of it all is a child who simply needs care.

So maybe what we all need in these moments is a little more understanding for each other.

A little more softness.

Because none of us are the enemy here.

We are all just trying to navigate the realities of raising and caring for children in a world that often asks too much of everyone.

And despite the hard days, the phone calls, the tears and the stress…

Please know this:

We care deeply about your children.

And we care about you too.

Beautiful words of appreciation ❤️

Beautiful words from a beautiful Māmā 💓

Messages like these fill our hearts and remind us exactly why we do what we do. We felt teary eyed reading this, knowing the love, trust, and connection shared within our preschool whānau is felt so deeply ✨

This is our why 💗

Our ERO report has come back and we are so proud that we continue to provide a quality environment for children to be loved, nurtured and has opportunities to explore, be curious and creative while learning about their wider world.