Being Informed - for the week of 5th June 2012

Did you miss last week's newsletter? To read previous newsletters click here to go to our newsletter archive.

1. Prepare to Mark Gifted Awareness Week (18 – 24th June)

Gifted Awareness Week is coming up. To help you to think about how your organisation might mark this week and to develop your understanding of what giftedness in young children is - ChildForum has online a number of first person and research articles on young gifted children, their care and education, and on education policy matters. Click on the links to articles listed below that might interest you.

2. Registrations Now Open for EC Management National Forum

The 3rd Annual Early Childhood Management Forum will be held this year in Wellington on Thursday 6th Sept. This highly regarded one-day event is hosted by ChildForum and provided for people who are involved in the administration, management or leadership of early childhood centres and home-based services. This includes owners, supervisors, staff, and committee/board members.

Come and hear experts and speakers from the sector, ask questions, discuss problems and gain helpful insights. Early Registration is advised as places go fast - click on the 'EVENTS' button at the top of this page to register or click here to download a registration form.

3. NZ-Edn Show

The NZ-ED Show, will be held over the 13 - 15th Sept in Auckland. There will be a full trade expo (expected 130 exhibits) and guest speakers (Nigel Latta, Debbie Mayo Smith, Dr Sarah Farquhar, etc), PD sessions and workshops for teachers. Click here to read more.

4. Keeping Up with How the NZ Economy is Affecting Organisations

To keep up to date with how the NZ economy is affecting businesses/organisations, both small and large, what is happening to interest rates, the housing market, and the labour market, leading economist Tony Alexander invites ChildForum members to subscribe to his free "Weekly Overview". The Weekly Overview is sent out each Thursday night to over 25,000 subscribers.

By subscribing you also have the opportunity to contribute to Tony's monthly Confidence Survey where you can let all his subscribers know what is happening in the early childhood education sector and for your service. Tony will also report data that comes through from the early childhood sector to ChildForum which we will share with you.

5. Discount Available on Children's Books

Barefoot Books creates beautifully crafted children's books, children's CDs and children's gifts that spark imagination, exploration, and creativity. It's one of the best selections available for young children. You can get these products online delivered to your New Zealand address.

Prices are very reasonable and you can use your Barefoot Books NZ ChildForum member book voucher code when placing your order to receive 10% discount off all purchases.

6. Parental Leave Payments to Increase from July

Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson has announced an increase in parental leave payments. On 1 July the maximum parental leave payment available to eligible employees and the self-employed will increase from $458.82 to $475.16 a week. The minimum parental leave payment for the self-employed will also increase, from $130.00 to $135.00 a week. Under the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act 1987, parents eligible for the scheme are entitled to up to 14 weeks paid leave at a rate calculated on the basis of their average weekly earnings. The maximum rate is adjusted every year to account for any increase in average weekly earnings.

7. Tax Information for Home-based Services

We have received information for home-based services putting in their tax returns this year. Inland Revenue advises that, for the 2012 income year:

(a) The variable standard-cost component will increase from $3.29 per hour per child to $3.34 per hour per child; and

(b) The administration and record keeping fixed standard-cost component will increase from $321 per annum to $326 per annum, for a full 52 weeks of childcare services provided.

If you have a standard 31 March balance date the new amounts apply for the period from 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012

Click on the title for the news article below that you are interested in reading more about:

See our website at www.childforum.com to learn more about childcare, teaching, ECE service management, research and education policy, and add your comments and views.

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