1 May 2006
Project to increase participation in early childhood education in the Hutt Valley
A project aimed at helping ensure every child in the Hutt region has the opportunity to participate in quality early
childhood education was launched this morning.
“The learning experiences a child has in the first years of life can make a significant difference to his or her
future,” says Moana Jessett, one of two Barnardos New Zealand qualified and experienced early childhood teachers running
the Early Childhood Education Participation Project in the Hutt region. “And research shows that participation in
quality early childhood education can have on-going social and educational benefits for a child long after they have
started school.”
“Which is why we want to help families whose three and four year olds are not participating in early childhood
education, get involved. By participation, we mean anything from nine hours a week on a regular basis.”
“We want to overcome any barriers that families might perceive. Some parents can find the process quite daunting.
Because we’ve worked in the early childhood environment, we can support families through the process,” says Moana.
“This will involved visiting the family in the first instance, giving them information about the early childhood
services in their area, helping them choose a service which best suits them and their child, physically
accompanying/transporting them to the service, introducing them to the teachers and other parents, staying with them in
the initial sessions and remaining an on-going point of contact. We will also help fill out enrolment forms and apply
for subsidies where necessary.”
“Some parents may feel that they can do enough for their children at home, but there are some things that children may
not get the opportunity to experience, such as being part of a larger group and socialising with others of their own
age, getting involved in a more diverse range of creative activities and learning experiences, having the freedom to get
messy, as well as discovering a diverse range of cultures. All these experiences also help build self-esteem and
confidence.”
Moana and colleague Anne-Mette cover the whole of the Hutt Valley from Upper Hutt to Petone, across to Wainuiomata,
Eastbourne and the surrounding hills. Within this area there are 127 early childhood education services, including
kindergartens, playcentres, Kohanga reo, Pacific Island language nests, childcare centres and home-based education and
care services.
Barnardos New Zealand delivers the Early Childhood Education Participation project in the Hutt region on behalf of the
Ministry of Education. The Ministry launched the nationwide project in 2001. It is delivered in various other parts of
the country by other community-based agencies.
Families interested in finding out more can contact Moana Jessett or Anne-Mette Kvers at Barnardos New Zealand’s Lower
Hutt office, telephone 569 1204.
ENDS