Press releases

New early childhood degree offered in 14 regions across NZ - Publication date: 31 August 2010

Early childhood education needs well qualified and well-prepared teachers says Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa / NZ Childcare Association (NZCA) Chief Executive Nancy Bell, as they ready for the launch of their new Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) in 14 regions from Kaitaia to Dunedin. more on New early childhood degree offered in 14 regions across NZ >>

Increased participation at the expense of quality - Publication date: 25 August 2010

NZ Childcare Association (NZCA) Chief Executive Nancy Bell welcomes the government's initiative to invest in early childhood education participation for children in low socio-economic communities within Waitakere and Northland. more on Increased participation at the expense of quality >>

KUA ĀMENENGIA! APPROVED! - Publication date: 30 July 2010

Kua āmenengia e te NZ Qualifications Authority me te NZ Teachers Council tā tātou tohu paetahi.

I am delighted to announce that Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa/New Zealand Childcare Association's Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) is now formally approved by the NZ Qualifications Authority and the NZ Teachers Council. We have been accredited to deliver this at all sites and to deliver an upgrade programme.

Occasional paper - Qualified teachers in early childhood centres: do we need them? - Publication date: 9 June 2010

Margaret Carr and Linda Mitchell
University of Waikato

As the dust settles after the budget and we become involved in discussions about the possible consequences for the early childhood education sector, we have been interested in the debates in the media about qualified teachers versus non-qualified teachers. We find it startling that questions are being raised about whether educators in early childhood centres should be qualified, when we now know so much more about the significance for life-long learning of the early years and about the complexity of the care and education task. The Prime Minister has said that "it is a matter of personal belief as to whether a high proportion of all centre staff should be trained teachers". This is not so. It is a matter of an informed and evidence-based educational decision. These questions would never be raised about the adults who teach 5- and 6- (or older) year-olds in school.

ECE budget brutal blow to children and families - Publication date: 20 May 2010

The removal of the top two early childhood education funding bands for services with 80 -100% qualified teachers in today's budget is a brutal blow to children and families says NZ Childcare Association Chief Executive Nancy Bell. more on ECE budget brutal blow to children and families >>

Position regarding the introduction of National Standards - Publication date: 18 May 2010

Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa/NZ Childcare Association's position regarding the introduction of National Standards

Preamble

In 2009 the Minister of Education announced the introduction of National Standards (NSs) into schools for children in years 1-8 effective January 2010.  NSs have been developed for reading, writing and mathematics and written reports on progress will be provided to parents twice each year. Teachers will use a range of assessment tools to assess children's progress. 

The government believes that NSs will ultimately lift achievement in literacy and numeracy by being clear about what children should be achieving and by when.  The standards have been developed on the basis that children ‘at the level' will be on the right trajectory to achieve NCEA level one in year eleven.

Early childhood funding cuts untenable - Publication date: 28 April 2010

Bill English's recent statement claiming an over-investment in early childhood education should be a major concern for all parents who want the best possible start to their children's education, says NZCA Chief Executive Nancy Bell. more on Early childhood funding cuts untenable >>

Growth in care of under twos highlights importance of quality - Publication date: 20 December 2009

Centre-based care for under-twos is increasingly becoming the preferred choice for many families and this highlights the critical importance of quality says Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa / NZ Childcare Association Chief Executive Nancy Bell. "For this reason it's important that we understand the factors that make ECE as good as it can be, in order to achieve optimal outcomes for children." more on Growth in care of under twos highlights importance of quality >>

Report outlines vision for high quality early childhood education - Publication date: 2 November 2009

A report released today outlines a vision for a national network of high quality community-based early childhood centres. The report ‘Strengthening Community-based Early Childhood Education in Aotearoa - New Zealand' was authored by Helen May from the University of Otago and Linda Mitchell from the University of Waikato.

Let’s recognise early childhood teachers on World Teacher’s Day - Publication date: 30 October 2009

World Teacher's Day is the perfect opportunity to recognise the important role played by qualified early childhood teachers says Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa / NZ Childcare Association Chief Executive Nancy Bell.