Child Care News
Early childhood teaching doesn't pay well, but it is worth it
Stuff NZ - Bethan FitzGerald - February 13, 2019OPINION: Early Childhood Education covers the most important time in a child's development. Although high quality of care exists in many highly respected centres, I think greater respect for the industry, and prioritising teacher retention and professional learning....
Excellence continues at Inspired Kindergartens
Scoop NZ - Press Release: Inspired Kindergartens - Monday, 11 February 2019Inspired Kindergartens is proud to announce that they remain the top-ranked multi-service Early Childhood Education service in New Zealand as assessed by the Education Review Office (ERO). In fact, in 2018 they improved their rating to 70% of all kindergartens...
Former Child Youth and Family caregiver accused of abusing boys in his care
Stuff NZ - Edward Gay - February 11, 2019A former Child Youth and Family caregiver has been charged with historical sexual offending against 17 boys. The man, aged in his 50s, worked for Oranga Tamariki's predecessor in Auckland and faces 43 charges. Stuff understands the offending happened inside the Child Youth and Family facility...
Early childhood centres like 'kiddie prisons', teachers say
Stuff NZ - Josephine Franks - February 10, 2019More than 200,000 Kiwi kids are enrolled in early childhood education - but teachers say parents don't know what happens behind centres' closed doors. A "bums on seats" approach puts children's safety and development at risk, teachers told Stuff. The 300 services that had their licence...
Nelson bush fire: At least two more days of 'very hard firefighting' to tackle Tasman inferno
NZ Herald - Feburary 8, 2019And in another development, the police have announced Wakefield schools, early childhood centres and kindergartens will be closed today. Wakefield residents told yesterday to prepare to flee have woken with relief that the fire hasn't come closer to their homes...
Teacher shortage: Young Kiwis going teaching again to fill classroom gaps
NZ Herald - Simon Collins - February 7, 2019More New Zealanders are finally going into teaching again, apparently because the teacher shortage is making them confident of getting a job. Universities report a surprising increase in new teacher trainees, although the picture is patchy with jumps of 10 per cent at Otago and 15 per cent...
Rainbow Group acquires leading in-home ECE business PORSE
Scoop - Press Release: The Rainbow Group of Companies - February 4, 2019New Zealand’s largest in-home education provider, PORSE, has been purchased by Auckland-based The Rainbow Group of Companies, keeping the business independently owned and in Kiwi hands. The Rainbow Group, established in 2006 and owned by Rrahul and Bhavini Dosshi...
Childcare centre closed indefinitely following allegations of mistreating children
Stuff NZ - Tom Hunt - February 4, 2019A Hutt Valley childcare centre where staff are accused of mistreating children has closed indefinitely. Emails from the Hutt Hospital Childcare Centre to families, which have been provided to Stuff, confirmed the Ministry of Education had suspended the centre's licence...
CareforKids.com launches NZ childcare search website
The Sector - Lyndsie Clark - February 4, 2019A new website has launched to help New Zealand early education and care (ECEC) providers connect with families looking for care. The website, founded by CareforKids.com.au, means NZ providers now have an easy and effective way to connect with families looking for care...
'Bums on seats' approach puts children at risk in early childhood education centres, teachers say
Stuff NZ - Josephine Franks - February 3, 2019Parents are sold the idea their children are safe and happy in early childhood education centres – but that's not always the case, some teachers say. The Ministry of Education downgraded more than 300 services across the country from full to provisional licences in 2017...
Demand for qualified and bilingual ECE teachers
Voxy - January 29, 2019Changes in government policy will impact New Zealand’s early childhood education sector, according to experts - with a predicted shortage of qualified teachers spurring new training opportunities for experienced but unqualified educators. There is also demand for bilingual teachers...
New Zealand's first storybook gaming app goes Global
Voxy NZ - January 23, 2019Kids have an insatiable craving for tales. From unicorns to fairies, mythical creatures have contributed their mighty bit to honing a tot’s fantasy world. Parents and educators have tried to use their magical wands to unveil the Pegasus and narrate social stories. But has the child grasped it yet?...
Study reveals 'alarming' damages from pre-schoolers exposed to screens
NZ Herald - Emma Russell - January 18, 2019Preschoolers exposed to screens are likely to suffer damaging behavioural and health issues, research has found. And experts are pleading with the public to take this "alarming" issue more seriously. The Growing Up in New Zealand study - tracking the development of approximately 7000 Kiwi...
First NZ Study on effects of screen-time on pre-school children
Beehive NZ Government - Hon Carmel Sepuloni - January 18, 2019Obesity, poorer motor skills, hyperactivity problems and poor sleep are just some of the effects that may be experienced by pre-school children who exceed New Zealand's screen-time guidelines, according to a study funded by the Ministry of Social Development's Children and Families Research Fund...
A childcare worker dismissed days before Christmas receives just 2 cents in her final pay cheque
NZ Herald - Luke Kirkness and Ben Leahy - December 24, 2018A young Auckland mother has been left shocked after getting the sack five days before Christmas and then being given a final pay cheque worth just 2 cents. The woman, who asked not to be identified, is now considering legal action after the Auckland preschool she worked...
