In this week's Update:

1. Register as an Early Bird before 18th Dec and Save on Conference Registration
2. Preparing for Christmas - Fun Ideas and Activities with Children
3. Charging Parents ECE Fees Over the Christmas Period & Statutory Holidays
4. Election 2011 - National's ECE Policy Now Available
5. Documentary on NZ Child Poverty TV3 Tues 22 Nov 7.30pm
6. Funding Available for ECE Providers
7. Research Contracts Available

1. Early Bird Registration

Register before the 18th December and save on conference registration.

The NZ Early Childhood Annual Research Conference, from Thursday 26th to Saturday 28th January 2012, is being held in Wellington city.   

Speakers include:  Dr Ken Blaiklock - speaking on Te Whāriki,  the rhetoric behind the national curriculum and the reality as well as what we can learn in NZ from curriculum innovations in other countries.  Associate  Professor Claire McLachlan -  speaking on the quality of literacy teaching in NZ,  what effective literacy teaching would look like, and what an early literacy policy in our NZ context would contain.

Register Now

* Online registration - click here to go the EVENTS page

* Download and print a copy of the registration form   - click here

* View the programme including key note speakers and presenters, abstracts, and timetable    - click here for a copy of the programme

* A conference poster for your noticeboard and to forward to students and colleagues  - click here to print an A4 flyer

2. Preparing for Christmas

Christmas is fast approaching.  To help you with your planning in the lead up to Christmas and give inspiration there's an article with lots of fun ideas and activities.

* READ MORE:  Christmas Ideas and Fun Activities with Children Under 6 years at home and in ECE services

3. Charging Parents ECE Fees Over the Christmas Period & Statutory Holidays

Are children entitled to a holiday from early childhood education?  Can services legally, and should services ethically, charge families for ECE on Public Holidays when the service is not available? 

*READ MORE and ADD YOUR VIEWS:  Charging for Public Holidays 

4. Election 2011 - National's ECE Policy Now Available

With Election 2011 about to happen, have you had time to find out what the different parties are offering early childhood education?

National has released its ECE policy this week.  

Go to our website for a concise outline of the ECE policies of the main political parties.  Or, Click here to read ... 

Also see how the parties compare on matters of  funding, staffing & management,  family and whānau involvement, and inclusive ECE.  Click here to read ...

5. Documentary on NZ Child Poverty

This is made by Bryan Bruce who has just won the prestigious Best Popular Documentary or Documentary Series category at the Aotearoa Film & Television Awards (AFTA).

6. Funding Available for ECE Providers

Grants to Services to Increase Child ECE Enrolment Numbers in Ministry of Education Northern Region

Grants of up to $100,000 (GST excl) are available in certain target census areas to help fund the establishment of new licensed ECE services or certificated playgroups, help you expand your existing services, or do something different in service delivery to increase the number of children enrolled. 

Target area: census area unit(s) (CAU) Location in Northern Region
Beaumont - Auckland City
Grange - Auckland City
Fairburn - Auckland City
Red Hill - Auckland City
Akarana - Auckland City
Walmsley - Auckland City
Ranui Domain - Auckland City
Starling Park - Auckland City
Raumaunga West - Whangarei District
Kaitaia West - Far North District
Ngapuhi – Kaikou - Far North District

For information and all questions in writing only to: Diana Tupou, Ministry of Education, Maungawhau office, PO Box 92644, Symonds Street, Auckland 1150
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Funding for Home-based ECE in the Northen Region

The goal is to (a) establish or expand a home-based service (Model 1) and (b) where children are cared for by their family/whānau/Pasifika family, neighbours or friends, these children, their family/whānau/Pasifika family and caregivers will be moved into a home-based education service (Model 2).

For a copy of proposal information and all questions contact: Olive Soon-Lui. Senior Advisor Participation ECE, Ministry of Education, Private Bag 92644, Symonds Street, Auckland 1150.  Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Applications close 9/1/2012, 12pm. 

7. Research Contracts Available

The Teachers Council is seeking proposals to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the Guidelines for Induction and Mentoring and Mentor Teachers and the Registered Teacher Criteria as frameworks for the professional learning of beginning teachers.  For a copy of the RFP documentation and all inquiries regarding submitting a proposal, Email Erin Pilcher at the Teachers Council This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  The deadline for proposals is 9/12/2011, 5pm.

For much more on a range of Childcare & Teaching, ECE Service Management, Early Childhood Research and Education Policy matters go to our website www.childforum.com