In this Week's Update 

1. Cough and Cold Treatment for Children Under Six Years 
2. Oh Dear What Can the Matter Be - The Early Childhood Sector is being torn apart
3. What Can Government Do for Early Childhood?
4. Upcoming Events and Call for Papers
5. Are all ECE Employers Sexist and Uncaring Toward Staff?
6. World Breastfeeding Week

1. Cough and Cold Treatment for Children Under Six Years 

In the middle of winter it's timely to have a reminder about treatment of coughs and colds.  The Ministry of Education says in the Licensing Criteria for early childhood services that if a parent gives written authority at the beginning of each day for their child to be given medicine such as "cough syrup" which is "used for a specified period of time to treat a specific condition or symptom" then this is okay for staff to do.  But health authorities warn against the use of cough and cold medicines for children under the age of 6 years- except for those containing only bromhexine or intra-nasal decongestants (such as oxymetazoline and xylometazoline) and these are approved only for children aged over 2 years.  You will notice now that the labels on cough and cold medicines state they are not for use in children under 6 years. 

* READ MORE:  Recommendations for treatment & administration of medicine to children in ECE services

2. Oh Dear What Can the Matter Be ...

The early childhood sector as we know it is showing signs of heading fast toward breaking point.  The ECE Taskforce, appointed by the Minister of Education with a lack of representation from services other than centre-based teacher-led childcare services, produced a report with recommendations that are divisive and created a level of concern/fear that is unprecedented within the sector.  Should this be the case?  What has gone so badly wrong?  Kohanga Reo, Playcentre, and Home-based ECE have had enough.  Should the centre-based teacher-led part of the sector expect to benefit, or not?   Watch out for a news article to be published on the ChildForum website next week.

3.  What Would You Like the Govt to Do Right Now for Early Childhood

Please give a few moments of your time to complete this important but quick survey.

* READ MORE and SEE THE SURVEY: "Early Childhood Survey" by clicking here ...  

4. Upcoming Events and Calls for Papers

Early Childhood Management National Forum, 1st September.  This is for ECE service managers, professional leaders, and owners.

* EVENTS page for details and to register

The 13th NZ Early Childhood Research Conference, 26 - 28th January 2012.  A fabulous networking, professional development, and educational event not to be missed!  The call for papers closes on 1st Sept. 

* READ MORE about the conference and put in a proposal to present.

5. Are all ECE Employers Sexist and Uncaring Toward Staff?

You'll no doubt recall 'that reason' reported widely in the media last month as to why women take more sick days by a head of the Employers and Manufacturers Association.

We are sure that not all early childhood employers would have agreed with the comment or that it should have been made.   But to date ChildForum has heard little to suggest that as a group, early childhood employers treat staff as individuals and with dignity, fairness and respect. 

Email us with an example of what an employer has done which has surprised or pleased you as part of being a good employer.  Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Have you had a good employer and what did the employer do to support you?  Have you been treated differently or discriminated against because you are a man, a woman, a parent, or have health or family needs? If you are an employer please let us know what policies or practices you may have that treat staff as individuals and show an ethic of care towards staff. 

6. Breastfeeding

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated around the world every year from the 1st - 7th of August

Tell your families and friends that the Big Latch On is this coming Friday August 5th.  Support breastfeeding mums and babes to attend at a venue near them (or register your early childhood service as a venue).   For venues and more information click here. 

Online you'll find some articles on breastfeeding support and creating breastfeeding friendly ECE services.  It's ironic that we talk about quality early childhood education but there isn't actually a requirement for services to be breastfeeding-friendly.  A first step is to put up a sign on the door to let parents know they are welcome when they come in to breastfeed on the premises "We are Breastfeeding-Friendly".

A mother wrote to ChildForum saying that she had two children under 3 attending childcare and had always felt welcomed and supported to breastfeed and express milk at the centre.  But a father complained that it made him feel uncomfortable. The centre director asked her if she could do a compromise. She was shocked that the father's reaction was brought to her attention, and even more shocked to find there was no centre policy on breastfeeding.

* READ MORE:  Article on Breastfeeding Support and Creating Breastfeeding-Friendly Early Childhood Services

*VIEW VIDEO:   Heather Cotter & Sarah Farquhar on how to Support Mums and Children once in childcare

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. 

ChildForum Early Childcare and Education Networks
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Postal:  PO Box 58-078, Whitby, Porirua 5245, New Zealand