Kindergarten – committed to 100% qualified teachers
Over 120 delegates from around the country attended the NZ Kindergartens Conference and AGM in Wellington on the weekend. The theme of the Conference – Participation: policy and practice – provided the focus for presentations and workshop sessions on population demographics, family and community initiatives, and innovative kindergarten practice. Minister of Education Anne Tolley, Human Rights Commissioner Rosslyn Noonan, Secretary for Education Karen Sewell, and NZ Kindergartens Chief Executive Clare Wells addressed the conference.
The Minister talked about the funding cuts to early childhood education and confirmed her view that 80% qualified teachers in ECE services is sufficient to provide a quality service to young children and families.
The conference strongly disagreed and was unanimous in its commitment to employ qualified and registered early childhood teachers in kindergartens and called on the government to reinstate the target for 100% qualified and registered teachers for all teacher-led ECE services and to provide funding to services to meet the cost of maintaining a qualified early childhood teaching workforce.
GREATSTART 100%
NZ Kindergartens want to make sure the benefits of quality ECE are well known so that services are well supported in future. We have set up the GreatStart100% website to spread the word - to celebrate kindergarten and the outcomes for children of participating in ECE. This is a place for discussion on the issues that impact on kindergarten and the wider ECE sector. We want you to be involved – to let us know your views on the current issues, what is important for our youngest children, and what happens day-to-day in our kindergartens and centres.Our Vision
- Every child has the right to participate in high quality early childhood education
-
Kindergartens are centres of excellence and innovation
- Our goals can best be achieved through collaborative relationships at all levels
- Kindergarten is responsive to the cultural and language aspirations of families
NZK kindergartens are 100%
- about children, families and whanau
- committed to quality early childhood education
- qualified and registered workforce
- community based
- not-for-profit
- home grown
- kiwi owned
Term dates 2010
Check the exact dates with your local association
|
Term |
Start date |
End date |
|
1 |
Between Tuesday 27 January |
Thursday 1 April |
|
2 |
Monday 19 April |
Friday 2 July |
|
3 |
Monday 19 July |
Friday 24 September |
|
4 |
Monday 11 October |
No later than Monday 20 December |
|
Term |
Start date |
End date |
|
1 |
Between Monday 31 January |
Friday 15 April |
|
2 |
Monday 2 May |
Friday 15 July |
|
3 |
Monday 1 August |
Friday 7 October |
|
4 |
Tuesday 25 October |
No later than Tuesday 20 December |