The Otago University Childcare Association (OUCA) runs five childcare centres on the University of Otago's Dunedin campus. It is financially supported by the University to provide education and childcare for children of staff and students, from birth to five years. Some fees do apply.
OUCA is an early childhood education association focused on providing high-quality early learning for children aged 0 to 5 years. Programmes are delivered by experienced, qualified early childhood teachers and are based on the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum, Te Whāriki.
The OUCA operates five centres, four at 551 Castle Street North, collectively known as Te Pā which are:
- Te Pārekereke o Te Kī a bilingual centre for children aged 0 to 5 years
- Te Maioha for children under 2 years
- Te Uru and Te Puna for children over 2 years
And one at 137 Union Street East:
Rōpu Tiaki Tamaiti – OUCA College Centre, for children aged 0 to 5 years
Places are limited and a waiting register operates for all centres. It is advisable to complete and return a wait register form as far ahead of your required starting date as possible.
When a place becomes available that matches your requested centre and hours, you will be contacted and offered a place. Before accepting, you will meet with the Head Teacher and be shown around the centre.
If you accept a place, you will then complete an enrolment form and provide identification of your child (such as a birth certificate or passport). A deposit of $250 is required on acceptance of a place. This deposit is credited to your child's fees if enrolment proceeds, but may be forfeited if the enrolment is cancelled between acceptance and one month after the child's start date.
Further information
Enrolment process and registration
Fees schedule
Otago University Childcare Association