A new local after-school care service has opened in Raglan, created to give families a reliable, friendly, and well-organised option for care after school.
Raglan RASCALS has been established by local residents Kieran Hallgate and Thomas Cashen, combining experience in education, community engagement and digital systems to create a well-organised service for whānau.
Kieran is a team leader at Raglan Area School and has a strong understanding of school life, tamariki and the needs of local parents. Thomas runs Raglan-based digital agency Web Paste and has helped build the systems behind the service, making registration and booking simple for busy families.
Together, they have created Raglan Rascals to support parents who need care after school, while giving children a safe, friendly, and familiar place to spend the afternoon. The service meets all government requirements and has been set up with clear processes, strong supervision and a focus on care, safety and consistency.
One of the key parts of Raglan Rascals is the quality of support available each afternoon. The supervisor-to-child ratio has been kept really strong, helping ensure children receive the attention, care and encouragement they need. Whether tamariki want to play, relax, take part in an activity, or simply ease into the afternoon after a busy school day, the aim is to create a positive and supportive environment.
Kai will also be provided, giving children something to eat after school and helping make the afternoon easier for families.
Parents can book a full term in advance to access a lower daily rate, without needing to pay the full term upfront. Payments are billed fortnightly, making it easier for families to manage. There is also a casual booking option for parents who only need care from time to time.
The goal is simple: to provide a dependable after-school care option that works for local families and feels like a natural part of the Raglan community.
Registrations and bookings are now open at raglanrascals.co.nz.
Interview with Milla & Chelsea who were working on a rainy Tuesday at RASCALS.
What’s the best part of a typical afternoon at RASCALS?
The best part of a typical day at RASCALS is all of the smiles and laughter! It’s so nice to get together at the end of the day and have some fun. Also, the kai from Raglan Bakery is delicious and always a hit with the kids.
One of the activities that always gets the most smiles is the gingerbread man, which is a cookie jar that’s filled with ideas from the kids of fun things we could do.
What do you get up to when the weather turns rainy?
When it’s raining, we like to play board games. Monopoly is always popular! We also love to paint and draw.
How do you help a new child feel part of the crew?
Every new child gets a RASCALS t-shirt to feel a part of the crew, and if it’s your first day, you get to pick an activity out of the gingerbread man.
What’s something the kids always look forward to?
The kids look forward to playing board games and getting outside and playing soccer, handball and playground tag. We also have a parachute that the kids love to run underneath in fits of giggles.
If RASCALS could add one completely wild activity, what should it be?
Surfing!
Parents can find out more, register and make bookings at raglanrascals.co.nz.
