How is Tender Shoot™ structured?

Tender Shoot™ is a social profit organisation or SPO, designed to return a social benefit to humanity rather than a financial benefit to shareholders. It is an autonomous private company with a specially worded constitution that ensures all surplus funds stay within the organisation. We have been successful in applying for tax exempt status from the Charities Commission (Registration Number: CC38187). Having charitable status enables us to invite philanthropists who support the concept to contribute to a fund with which to run the school.

Who is supporting us?

At this early stage, the parent company, Change for our Children is funding all development and operational costs of this initiative. Four midwife practices involving 25 midwives have registered as partners and are recommending the school to their clients. These are:

• Halswell Midwives
• Midwifery Associates
• Midwives on Barrington
• Midwife Colleagues

We have restricted promotion until we have more certainty about demand and funding. Most photos in our collection are of babies and families we know and who support what we are doing. Groups of parents have assisted through the early stages by completing questionnaires, participating in focus groups or being in the pilot classes. Participants to date are free with their feedback about the value of the programme to them and where and what to emphasis.

What is our vision for the school?

We are working to consolidate this school in Christchurch over the next three years, before extending the concept across New Zealand and beyond. The ultimate vision is parent schools as the norm in all countries of the world.