Fun holiday programme with Stan

A solo dad, who understands the pressure of finding childcare during holidays is helping parents find solutions.

Stan Aranga, dad to three children, is running two, week-long holiday programmes, one that started this week and in January, called ‘‘Holiday Programmes with Stan’’.

As a dad, he understands how hard it can be for parents to find care for children once the school holidays commence.

‘‘Some people don’t have family who can help and you can end up asking the same friends over and over to take the kids. I know what that’s like, to struggle to find care.’’

Aranga is passionate about serving, community, and empowering children.

He works part-time at Matamata New World during the school term, as well as teaching te reo Maori and kapa haka at Matamata, Walton and Firth primary schools. He is also a teacher at Aspire Dance Academy in hip hop, drama and soon musical theatre.

Aranga decided rather than go into fulltime work once the term ended, he would turn his passions into an act of service, as well as being another income stream.

‘‘It’s time for me to focus on my passions rather than just go to a job. I love to empower kids and I really feel that’s where education is failing in not making young people feel like leaders, that’s why I love kapa haka so much, my kids feel empowered.’’

The holiday programmes, for seven-to-13 year olds, started Monday this week till Friday, and again from January 23-27 at the Matamata Primary School Hall from 9am-3pm. He says kids don’t need to go five days a week, just the day or days they want to attend.

Aranga, with Lydia-Rose Louw, will be teaching dance, drama and a bit of art for the chil- dren who may like to make Christmas gifts. The January programme will be more sports focused.

Through his work at the schools, he has already completed police checks, so he says parents should feel confident in not only his ability to take care of the chil- dren, but that they will be safe.

He will only be taking 15 children per-day and through his Facebook page, he has already generated a huge amount of interest.

He says he is always available to discuss the programme with parents.