Funding to 80% ECE Teachers Right Says PM
By Staff Reporter Jackie Bedford at 10:07 pm, 31 May 2010
Prime Minister John Key says trimming funding for provision of trained teachers at early childhood centres will affect only a portion of families with preschoolers and should not affect the quality of service.
In its recent Budget, the Government announced it will remove provision for a higher level of funding to centres with 80-100% registered teachers, saying it needs claw back large increases in spending on this sector that have occurred in recent years.
"Over half" of ECE facilities operate with a level below 80% at the moment, Mr Key says, and so parents using these centres won't be affected.
Those centres where more than 80% of staff are trained teachers will not necessarily need to pass on extra costs to client families, he says. "Quite a lot of them have that capacity to absorb that cost. . ."
Mr Key says it's a matter of personal belief as to whether a high proportion or all centre staff should be trained teachers. "There will always be personal choice and there will always be those who say it's absolutely critical that every person working in an early childhood facility is teacher-trained, but that doesn't mean that they're right. It just means that it's the view that they've expressed."
He personally would be happy with 80%. "I think on balance funding to 80% is the right thing to do."
But he says parents ultimately signal what they want. "There will be some [centre owners] that in the end say, 'I want to be 100% teacher-led', and I suspect that will be driven by the parents who send their children there and they may be prepared to pay a little bit more."
(c) Newsroom 2010
Auckland branch invites you to 'An evening with Professor Colin Gibbs'
The NZCA Auckland branch invites both NZCA members and non members to an evening with Professor Colin Gibbs. Colin will guide attendees on enhancing 'Health and wealth' as ECE teachers. For more information, view the 'Caring to care' flyer, or download the invitation to RSVP.
NZCA Council member nominated for New Zealander of the year
Council member Toesulu Brown has been nominated for the New Zealander of the year award 2009.
Toesulu has been nominated for her work promoting educational achievement amongst Manukau's Pasifika communities. You can read the full story here.
Education (early childhood services) Regulations 2008
On 26 November, the Minister of Education announced a review of the regulations which came into effect on 1 December 2008.
For information about what aspects are to be reviewed please go to www.lead.ece.govt.nz and download the letter from the Minister and the FAQs which will give you more detailed information.
Minister allows Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa/NZ Childcare Association to develop its own degree
The Minister of Education has granted Te Tari Puna Ora O Aotearoa/NZ Childcare Association an exemption from the moratorium on new ECE initial teacher education qualifications in order to develop our own degree.
This is an exciting development for the Association, reflecting our ongoing commitment to high quality initial teacher education.
To keep you up to date with developments we have produced some frequently asked questions.
Brian Donnelly 1949-2008
Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa/New Zealand Childcare Association mourns the death of former MP Brian Donnelly.
Brian was a highly respected educator and a fair minded and hard working politician. He took a keen interest in the work of the Association and in the early childhood education sector. His death is a great loss to all New Zealanders.
We extend our sincere condolences to Brian's wife and family.
Ka hinga to tōtara o te wao nui a Tāne.
Farewell to Parematarangi Fawcett
Haere atu rā e te kuia, haere atu rā
Moe mai ra e te kuia, moe mai rā i tou moenga roa
E kore koe e warewaretia e Te Tari Puna Ora o Āotearoa.
We have sad news. Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa/NZ Childcare Association was very saddened to hear of the passing of (Nanny Pare) Parematarangi Fawcett on 24 August 2008. Parematarangi was a significant influence on NZCA in the early days as we developed our bi-cultural organisation.
She became a part of the Association when she started at Hamilton's bicultural centre, Koha Tamariki. Parematarangi was a Kuia Kaumatua at Koha Tamariki, and became affectionately known as ‘Nan' to the children with whom she spoke Māori and guided them through Tikanga Maori. For many children Parematarangi provided their introduction to Māori culture. Parematarangi become a presence in the Association after leading the Tainui welcome for the visiting manuhiri at the 1989 conference. Alongside Kahu Katene she became a member of the first Runanga representing Māori interests within the Association.
Parematarangi laid-in-state on the Tauwhare Marae. Staff and Council members who knew her well travelled to pay their respects. Nancy Bell, Koro Sam Jackson, Kuia Kahu Katene & Mihi Harrington travelled from Wellington.
Margaret Lamb
Gifted educationalist and passionate advocate for early childhood education in Aotearoa
The council and members have been paying tribute to Margaret Lamb, a Life Member and previous President, who passed away on Wednesday 25 June 2008.
Colleagues who knew Margaret valued her for her friendship and dignity as well as her sheer energy and enthusiasm for working for the wellbeing of children.
Margaret was one of the first lecturers for Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa / NZCA and was involved with the Auckland Branch since it was first founded. In 1973, by then President of the Association (1976-81), she looked back on how it felt to go to her first conference: "I was no longer battling with problems I couldn't share".
Throughout her presidency she fought for the long term needs of children, working on important initiatives in teacher training and research, improving staff ratios and centre resources. Always willing to speak to students about the early days of the NZCA, she was known for her compassion for people working in the field.
She retained her interest and real enthusiasm for early childhood education long after her retirement. "She never failed to ask what was going on in the sector - even when she could no longer speak she wrote out her queries and listened attentively when I answered", remembers Hilary Alach.
Margaret will be remembered not just for the work she did, but also for her spirit and her capacity for delight. Fellow Council Member Jan Taouma's memory of Margaret echoes many of those who came in contact with Margaret through her work at the Association: "Margaret was a wonderful person always full of humor and totally supportive of Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa / NZCA. Margaret spoke at many graduations and last year was the first Auckland graduation she missed attending. We will all miss her wonderful spirit."
Recognition for Early Childhood Educators in Queen's Birthday Honours
Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa/NZ Childcare Association congratulates two early childhood educators; Noreen Moorhouse and Dr Anne Meade, on their respective awards in the Queen's Birthday Honours. NZCA Life member, Noreen Moorhouse, has been awarded the Queen's Service Medal (QSM) for services to Māori and the childcare community and Early Childcare Educator, Dr Anne Meade Q.S.O, has been awarded the Companions Order of Merit (CNZM) for services to education.
For further information click here
2008 Budget Announcement on ECE Funding
The Government launched its 2008 Budget 22 May 2008 in Wellington. Termed as ‘a fair economy, a strong future' it outlined three key themes; increased investment in public services, tax relief for workers who are struggling and further work for a strong future.
Minister Mallard added a word of caution however, noting that funding available for new publicly funded initiatives has been reduced from $2b to $1.75b requiring some stringent prioritising.
Operating funding for the early childhood sector will be increased by $ 63.6 million over four years. In announcing this, Minister Mallard said, "the ECE funding rates have been adjusted to fund services for the increased costs they face. This will reduce the need for ECE services to increase fees charged to parents."
The new ECE funding rates announced sees the increases, for teacher-led services, ranged from 1.87% to 20.44%, with the greatest rate growth falling in the 2 and over bands. These increases have been driven by the new Kindergarten Teachers' Collective Employment agreement.
Reflecting this, rate increases will be backdated to 1 February 2008 (paid out 1 July 2008) for all teacher-led centre based services. Backdating would also apply to sessional teacher-led centre based services in the 100% registered teacher band.
A table showing the new rates can be found by clicking on the following link: Download ECE funding rates 2008 (doc, 95KB)
Also relevant to the sector was the announcement that Equity funding rates have also been adjusted for inflation and the budget increases the Support Grant for Provisionally Registered Teachers to $4,221 per teacher, per annum including GST.
For more information about the Budget you can visit www.treasury.govt.nz/budget/2008
Association members recognised in prestigious awards
Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa/NZ Childcare Association (NZCA) members Natalie Cook, Tessa Dunleavy, Dinah Marr and Susan Johnson were among the recipients at the 6th biennial NEiTA Foundation Awards for National Excellence in Teaching and Leadership on Tuesday 13 May. Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa/NZ Childcare Association celebrates their achivement. For further information please click here
50% teacher qualification requirements and registration targets
By 31 December 2007, teacher-led early childhood services should have 50% of total regulated staff holding an early childhood education teaching qualification recognised by the New Zealand Teachers Council.
Under the 50% requirement the early childhood education service can count the following:
- the 'person responsible', as they are qualified and registered teacher
- staff with a recognised and registerable ECE qualification. Note that part-time staff may count for no more than two licensed services
- one staff member who is in their final year of study for an ECE teaching qualification
For further information go to Ministry of Education
20 Free Hours Update
Beginning 1 July 2007, 3 and 4 year olds enrolled in a teacher-led ECE service may access 20 free hours. As of 29 October, 72% of eligible ECE service are now offering 20 free hours which is benefitting 83% of the 3 and 4 year olds in New Zealand.
To view the list of available early childhood services in New Zealand (Team-Up website) and find out which services are offering 20 Free Hours in your area go to the Team-Up webiste (website closes permanently November 2009)
New Zealand Teachers Council Code of Ethics
New Zealand Teachers Council has published a code of ethics for ALL teachers in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
To read the code and reasons behind its development go to New Zealand Teachers Council
Funding and Grants Database
A Funding Information Database is now available online. For further information go to Funding Information Service
Funding Information Service owns and maintains two databases: FundView for community groups and BreakOut for awards, scholarships and grants.