Child Care News

Early childhood teachers launch week of action calling for better pay
TV NZ - November 4, 2019

Early childhood teachers have launched a week of action today to demand the Government fix a 23 per cent pay gap between them and primary and secondary school teachers. Next year that pay gap will go to 49 per cent. Karen O’Leary has a degree in education and is...

Early Childhood Council against blanket ban on choke-risk foods
Stuff - Teresa Ramsey - October 31, 2019

Banning high choke-risk foods would mean teachers couldn't help kids learn to safely eat, the New Zealand Early Childhood Council says. However, a mum whose son suffered severe brain damage after choking on an apple at daycare said a ban was common sense. The Ministry...

A Better Start: Māori and Pasifika children to benefit from early learning research
Mirage News - October 31, 2019

New research funded by A Better Start National Start Challenge advances science at international levels and addresses an urgent need to reduce inequalities in educational and mental health outcomes for Māori, Pasifika and those from low-income families. The project is led by ...

Schools hiring 'teachers of last resort' to avoid staff shortages
NZ Herald - John Gerritsen for RNZ - October 31, 2019

Principals warn they are hiring "teachers of last resort" in order to avoid a shortage of more than 1000 staff next year. The Ministry of Education has forecast a shortfall of 860 primary teachers and 160 secondary teachers in 2020. More than 600 of those teachers would be needed to cover...

Neihana Renata's choking tragedy sparks changes to food safety guidelines
NZ Herald - Kelly Makiha - October 31, 2019

Rotorua couple Marama and Wi Renata have had not just one but two fights on their hands since their young son choked on apple at daycare, leaving him severely brain damaged. Life will never be the same again for little Neihana, but the family are close to winning...

Hard rules to swallow: ECEs worried food bans would be too strict
RNZ - October 30, 2019

Some early childhood centres are worried proposed rules recommending a ban on some foods are too strict. The Ministry of Education is considering guidelines for foods that pose a high choke risk for young children. They recommend excluding foods...

Immigration NZ changes set to make teacher shortage worse
Scoop NZ - Press Release: Early Childhood Council - October 30, 2019

Kiwi kids are set to keep missing out on early childhood education thanks to conflicting government policy. Recently announced immigration changes are setting the Minister of Education’s Early Childhood Education support package up to fail...

Beyond mumtrepreneurs and girlbosses; why Kiwi women start businesses
Stuff NZ - Bonnie Flaws - October 30, 2019

The cost of childcare, along with not having enough time with her children was what motivated entrepreneur Michele Wilson to ditch her career as a lawyer and start her own business. The founder of Frankie Apothecary and co-founder of...

Whanganui preschool celebrates Diwali with week of activities
NZ Herald - Liz Wylie - Whanganui Chronicle - October 28, 2019

Children and teachers at Whanganui Montessori Preschool have been celebrating the festival of Diwali. "I read that the first day of Diwali is often spent cleaning," head teacher Fiona Penn said. "We decided to start the week off that way too and the children were really good."

Teacher misconduct cases treble as teacher shortage forces schools to 'cut corners'
NZ Herald - Simon Collins - October 27, 2019

Teacher misconduct cases have trebled in the past year, partly because schools and childcare centres are being forced to "cut corners" due to a desperate teacher shortage. The Ministry of Education's annual report says the number of teacher misconduct cases referred to the...

Donation made to Whanganui's Aramoho Kindergarten after theft of blinds
NZ Herald - October 26, 2019

Grumpy Old Men Enterprises has gifted a hearty donation to Aramoho Kindergarten after a recent theft. Several weeks ago $7500 worth of blinds were stolen from the kindergarten's veranda. A retractable hose worth $200 was also taken and it was later discovered that power tools worth...

Wellington Paranormal's Officer O'Leary wants 'a dollar a day' for early childhood teachers
Stuff - Teresa Ramsey - October 25, 2019

Wellington Paranormal actor Karen O'Leary is asking for support for Early Childhood Teachers. O'Leary, who is also an early childhood teacher, stars in the video for the NZEI Te Riu Roa union, which represents Early Childhood Educators (ECE). The video takes the theme of Wellington Paranomal...

Te Puna Manawa o Whakaue early childhood centre shut by Ministry of Education
NZ Herald - October 25, 2019

An early childhood centre run by a Rotorua iwi-based trust has had its licence suspended after a "temporary closure". Te Puna Manawa o Whakaue, on Pererika St, chose to temporarily close on September 6 due to "staffing issues which impacted the ability to operate"...

SkyCity fire: Should I wear a mask? Your health questions answered
NZ Herald - October 23, 2019

Who is most at risk of ill health from the smoke? Babies and younger children, older people, those with respiratory or heart conditions, pregnant women and those who smoke are most at risk from smoke inhalation, and should avoid exposure. My children are at an early childhood education...

Teacher struck off for smacking 4yo but keeps identity secret
NZ Herald - Simon Collins - October 21, 2019

Two childcare teachers have been censured for force-feeding and smacking children in two separate incidents. Jennifer Anne Sullivan was found to have forced a fork load of food into a 2-year-old's mouth at Whitby Educare near Wellington in November 2017. The second teacher...