Child Care News
Govt must also do more to increase early childhood teachers
Scoop NZ - October 15, 2018Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood New Zealand says the government must also do more to increase early childhood teacher numbers. ‘It astounds us that the government has not included early childhood teachers in its recruitment drive for primary and secondary school teachers,' says Te Rito Maioha Chief Executive, Kathy Wolfe. ‘The early childhood situation is just as bad as the primary and secondary school one...
Teaching considered for official skill shortage list
Radio NZ - John Gerristen - October 12, 2018The government is considering fast-tracking work visas for foreign teachers by recognising teaching as an official skill shortage area. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment said preliminary reports showed "moderate evidence" of shortages among primary...
'A kick in the teeth': Teacher Eileen Gilmour stuck on $59,000 after 43 years in classrooms
NZ Herald - Simon Collins - October 11, 2018A teacher who finished her training 43 years ago is still stuck on a salary of $59,621 - about $12,000 less than her son, who trained as a teacher 30 years later - because she doesn't have a degree. Eileen Gilmour says her three years of training at what was then called the Hamilton Teachers'...
Northland early childhood conference 'one of the best'
NZ Herald - Mikaela Collins - October 11, 2018An early childhood conference packed with high calibre speakers and a range of workshops has been labelled "one of the best yet" by organisers. Celebrating Northland's Tamariki, the biennial early childhood education conference, was on for the seventh time on Saturday with the theme...
Childcare centre to open as planned despite $54,000 loss to invoice hacking scam
Stuff NZ - Mike Watson - October 8, 2018A childcare centre in rural Taranaki will open in the new year despite losing almost $54,000 to an invoice hacking scam. In April a computer hacker intercepted an invoice payment of $53,700 from Anna Ryder''s parents, Millie and Pat Bradford, to a sub-contractor involved...
Gas stations and childcare centres good performers
NZ Herald - October 6, 2018A continuing strong demand for well-located commercial properties with long leases in place has brought in a flurry of petrol station and childcare centre sales this year. Bayleys has recently sold five fuel stations and the same number of childcare centre properties for in excess...
Focus: Pukekohe childcare centre's licence downgraded
Stuff NZ - October 5, 2018A Pukekohe childcare centre that had animal faeces in its sandpit has had its licence downgraded after a Ministry of Education investigation...
Partnerships focus of Northland early childhood education conference
NZ Herald - Mikaela Collins - October 4, 2018A conference born out of a lack of opportunities for Northland early childhood teachers to upskill will focus on partnerships. The biennial early childhood education conference, Celebrating Northland's Tamariki, is on for the seventh time at Kamo High School on Saturday with the theme...
Parents forced to give up work if kindergarten closes
Stuff NZ - Adele Redmond and Joanne Carroll - October 3, 2018Some parents could be forced to give up work if Franz Josef's only childcare facility closes. A South Island not-for-profit kindergarten group has proposed the "unprecedented" closure of four early childhood centres due to "financial issues". The proposal to close centres in Christchurch...
Kidsfirst proposes 'unprecedented' closure of four kindergartens, citing 'financial issues'
Stuff NZ - Adele Redmond & Joanne Carroll - October 2, 2018A South Island not-for-profit kindergarten group has proposed the "unprecedented" closure of four early childhood centres due to "financial issues". Kidsfirst Kindergartens board chairwoman Viv Ruth was "devastated", but said the organisation had "exhausted...
Kids' art goes under the hammer for a worthy cause
NZ Herald - Astrid Austin - October 2, 2018The adage "it takes a village to raise a child" is one which rings true among many and has resonated with local web-based company Real Exchange. For the second year, the company's Collective Children's Art Exhibition and Auction will raise much-needed funds and awareness...
Survey reveals 'disgraceful' wages of early childhood educators
Newshub - Alexandra Nelson - October 1, 2018A new survey of early childhood educators has revealed that some are earning below the minimum wage. The survey by the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) was taken to support a claim for pay equity for early childhood teachers. Some early education staff...
Rotorua preschoolers recognised for work to restore wetland
Stuff NZ - Jo McCarroll - October 1, 2018A group of Rotorua preschoolers have been named as finalists in NZ Gardener's Gardener of the Year awards for their work to restore a local wetland. The 30 children who attend the Tiaka Early Learning Centre in Rotorua go for a walk most days and when the staff ask...
'Ka pai': New Zealand's Maori language back from brink
Yahoo 7 News - Neil Sands - September 25, 2018Head teacher Angela Fieldes has noticed a similar phenomenon among toddlers exposed to te reo at the Wellington child care centre she helps run. "They pick it up really, really quickly, so it just becomes part of their day," she said after the children performed a 'waiata' (song)...
Early childhood teachers a priority for recruitment drive
Stuff NZ - September 19, 2018Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood New Zealand Chief Executive, Kathy Wolfe today expressed her expectation that the Ministry of Education's newly launched teacher recruitment drive will include a focus on early childhood teachers. "We absolutely support this initiative, as there is an urgent...
