Newsletter Contents at a Glance

1. Sick Days “Once a Month”
2. Invite to ECE Representatives for the ECE Management National Forum
3. EC Research Conference, Jan 2012 – Call for Papers & Presenters
4. Use of Weblogs or Blogs in EC services
5. New Leadership Qualifications
6. Check a New YouTube Video Clip Out
   
   

1.  Sick Days “Once a Month”

The media is in a frenzy following a comment made by the head of EMA Northern yesterday that women get paid less than men because they take sick days "once a month"!

There is not only no evidence that this is a major reason why women take sick leave (in fact it looks like there are no official statistics on the reasons why people take sick leave), but the comment has also drawn strong reactions of being archaic and sexist. 

Equal pay for equal work is enshrined in the Equal Pay Act of 1972.  Fairness, respect, and dignity are key words and it is expected in today’s workplaces that all staff are treated as individuals.  This means that like other businesses, early childhood services should recruit and support staff on the basis of their skills, knowledge, and experience for their role. Gender should not come into any decision as to whether to employ, promote, or what to pay.

Managers and service leaders know that to retain staff and enable them to care for children well it simply makes good common sense to treat every staff member as an individual with dignity and respect.  So if a 22 week pregnant teacher started spotting it would be expected that she should at the very least be allowed to put a phone call through to her midwife.  However, ChildForum heard that in this case the teacher was asked to keep working and wait until her break.  (We are keen to hear of examples of where early childhood employers have shown an ethic of care and perhaps done or said something that demonstrates the principles of being a good employer – please let us know, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Equal opportunity for men in the early childhood workforce is something that we need to monitor.  Does it exist?  Licensed early childhood services still remain the domain of women (over 98% of the ECE workforce is female) - even though (a) men’s involvement with young children is viewed as cool in modern society and (b) there has been higher unemployment rates in traditional male occupations over recent years leading to potential to attract more men into early childhood teaching. 

Quite a lot has been written about men in ECE and if you are interested in thinking more about how positive changes in recruitment and employment can be made, then click here to to to a link on the ChildForum website. 

2.  Invitation to ECE Service Representatives

On Thursday 1st September the 2011 Early Childhood Management National Forum is to be held in Wellington. All ECE centre and home-based service providers are invited to send a representative or bring your management - leadership team.  Registrations for this open today.

* TO READ MORE ABOUT THIS:  Events page  
And, to register as a ChildForum member click here   
Or, if you are not a ChildForum member click here to register

3.  Call for Papers – NZ Early Childhood Research Conference

The NZ Early Childhood Research Conference is to be held 26 - 28th January 2012, in Wellington. 

This is the largest single gathering of early childhood researchers - a fabulous networking and educational event not to be missed!  The call for papers closes on 1st Sept.  To download and print a copy of the call for papers and workshops click here ...   Or go to our website at www.childforum.com.

4.  Weblogs or Blogs – help in developing a policy for safe and educationally appropriate use

Many educators are making effective use of Web2.0 tools as a way to extend learning opportunities for learners, record children’s learning journeys, and engage parents and caregivers in a centre’s activities and in their child’s learning. The use of blogs also has the potential to give parents and caregivers a unique view into their child’s activities including their participation, interactions, interests and learning. The 24/7 access and regular flow of information about learning can strengthen the centre partnership with families and whanau. Some centres actively encourage parents and caregivers to make contributions to centre blogs as a means to strengthen communication. Small centres or organisations use a common blog to provide opportunities for teacher support and collaboration.  The potential to increase parent engagement in learning through the use of blogs has created a wave of teacher enthusiasm to set up centre blogs.  This enthusiasm has, in some cases, overshadowed the fundamental considerations managers and teachers should address to ensure the use of a blog remains focused within an educational context and that young people are safe online.

* READ MORE:  Blogging and Web2.0 Considerations for ECE

5. New Leadership Qualifications in Early Childhood Education

Dedicated ECE leadership qualifications are to be offered in NZ for the first time. The New Zealand College of Early Childhood Education has been given approval to offer two new qualifications. These are the Certificate in Leadership (Early Childhood Education) offered part-time in the first-year, and the Diploma in Leadership (Early Childhood Education) taught part-time over the following year.

The leadership programmes have been designed to support, nurture and develop the leadership of professionals within the early childhood education sector. The programmes use a blended learning approach that incorporates: online collaboration, face-to-face facilitation and applied work-place learning. The entry requirements are: 

• Current full or provisional registration as a teacher from the New Zealand Teachers Council for the duration of the study
• An NZQA approved early childhood education teaching qualification at Level 7 or above
• Be employed consistently for a minimum of 0.5 full time position in a licensed early childhood setting for the duration of the study. Employment may be within a teaching role or a role responsible for teachers
• A minimum of an equivalent of one full time year of teaching in a licensed early childhood setting

If you want to know more, information sessions are being offered in Christchurch and Auckland during July.  Or, contact the Leadership Programme Manager directly, who is Debbie Ryder, Phone: 03 365 3153; Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

6.  Must See Online Video Clip

While the ECE Taskforce report has created anxiety for the home-based ECE sector, the reality is it is a service of choice for many families.  Check out this video clip on YouTube of a National MP talking about the personal importance of home-based ECE 

*TO VIEW:  Home based ECE

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The information provided by ChildForum in this newsletter is general information only. No responsibility is taken for any errors. If you spot an error, please inform us so that it can be corrected.