Report recognises qualified early childhood teacher value

NZEI RELEASE
21st March 2011
For Immediate Release

Big tick for report which recognises value of qualified early childhood teachers

A report by the Children’s Commissioner reinforces the call for a 100% fully qualified early childhood teaching workforce, says the education sector union NZEI Te Riu Roa.

The Commissioner’s inquiry into non-parental education and care of infants and toddlers stresses the importance of providing quality early childhood education by a skilled and knowledgeable workforce.

NZEI National Executive member Hayley Whitaker says toddlers and infants are more likely to have unqualified teachers.

“It’s refreshing to see the report focus on the value of qualified teachers for this age group. It’s in sharp contrast to the government’s position which is doing all it can to devalue and undermine quality early childhood education,” she says.

In the past year funding has been cut to more than 2,000 services, the target for having 100% qualified teachers has been abandoned, professional development for early childhood teachers has been cut, support for teachers in training and new graduates has been reduced and group sizes have been radically increased.

The Commissioner’s report makes welcome recommendations around improving the quality of care for infants and toddlers, such as having higher adult to child ratios, smaller group sizes, well-defined spaces for under-2s and more regulation and better monitoring of services and home-based care.

It’s also good to see the Children’s Commissioner entering the debate on the reform of paid parental leave.

“There’s no doubt that very young babies and families benefit from having as much time together as possible and parents often face a difficult decision about if, when and how they can return to work. Comments in the report that it may be time to revisit the mix of parental leave entitlements and subsidised early childhood education are very timely,” says Ms Whitaker.

“Early childhood education provides the building blocks for all children’s learning and babies and toddlers are no different. As outlined in the Children Commissioner’s report, any moves which strengthen and improve the provision of care for infants and toddlers should be given the weight they deserve.”

ENDS

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