Contents:

1. International Representation 
2. Designing and Using Space to Support Small Group and Project Work
3. Home-based ECE Sector Review 
4. Proceedings of the ECE Management Forum, 2012
5. Boys Dressing Up and Acting Like Girls
6. Last Chance to Go in the Draw To Win a Copy of a New Book on Transition to School 
7. Applications Open for Post-Graduate Research Award
8. Redundancy and Reducing the Pain of the Process 
9. Salary and Hours of Work

1.  International Representation

Hello to all ChildForum members and newsletter subscribers. Last week we were not able to put out the weekly news update and we know from emails that many of you missed not getting it.

I was invited to Germany as a guest international expert on early childhood education and to attend the International Conference on Men in ECE in Berlin.

I have been shown German project initiatives and enjoyed sharing information about our NZ ECE.

What with travel to the other side of the world and conferencing and meetings with officials and delegates it was not possible to send you a news update last week.

With most of my family coming along for the trip too I've stopped over briefly in Paris for the children to experience a little of French life and culture, and will be leaving very shortly in the morning (Paris time) for London.  In London, I should have time in the evenings when the children are asleep to begin to put together information and material from the Men in ECE conference to share with you next week.  

In the meantime, enjoy reading the different articles highlighted in this week's news update and the photos of an ECE project centre in Hamburg (see below)

Best regards, Sarah Farquhar

2. Designing and Using Space to Support Small Group and Project Work 

Early childhood centres in New Zealand tend to have quite similar spatial arrangements - usually consisting of a large play room or playrooms with various activity areas for children and an open flow directly from the playroom to a single outdoor area. In this article we show, with photographs, a different design and approach to using space for supporting small group and project work. The design comes from a bilingual kindergarten or 'Kita' in Hamburg, Germany.  

* READ MORE: Click here

3. Home-based ECE Sector Review 

A review of the home-based ECE sector is to be carried out to ensure it is aligned well to Government's goals for ECE along with broader social and economic goals. Education Minister Hekia Parata says that the Ministry of Education will be undertaking the review internally. Regulations, licensing practices, and funding have been signalled as key things the Ministry will likely propose changes on.

* READ THE NEWS: Click here

4. Proceedings of the ECE Management Forum, 2012

Copies of a number of the presentations at the 3rd Annual ECE Management Forum are already available and online for ChildForum members to read.  This includes an article by the head of the Ministry of Education, Lesley Longstone who gave the opening address.  

* GO TO THE 3RD MANAGEMENT FORUM PAGE:  Click here

5. Boys Dressing Up and Acting Like Girls

Young boys can love pretty and feminine things. They can like to dress up in pretty clothes and be princesses, fairies, and play female roles. But parents may worry that it could be an early sign of femininity. They may also think that teachers who allow boys to dress-up in girls' clothes are setting them up for ridicule. 

This article provides explanations and tips for dealing with this issue based on research on the topics of gender identity, sexuality, and child development.

* READ MORE AND ADD YOUR STORY AND TIPS FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS:  Click here

6.  Last Chance to Go in the Draw To Win a Copy of a New Book on Transition to School 

'Crossing the Border' is a well-written brand new book on transition to school.  

* READ MORE:  Click here to see a published review on this book

We have one copy to give away. To go in the draw for a copy, submit a funny story or early childhood joke to our page on humour, click here.  Or send it to us with your name and email address to ChildForum, PO Box 58-078, Porirua, 5245, New Zealand.  

7. Applications Open for Post-Graduate Research Award

Are you interested in pursuing postgraduate research in early childhood education at the University of Auckland?  Click on the following link for information on an award available for 2013.

* READ MORE:  Click here

8. Redundancy and Reducing the Pain of the Process 

A serious and potentially costly mistake an education employer can make is a failure to show respect. This new article outlines employment law in regards to redundancy and what is expected of employers and employees. How to reduce the pain of the redundancy process for employees is also discussed.

* READ THE FULL ARTICLE: Click here

9.  Salary and Hours of Work

This new article covers key aspects of what education employers need to know about employing staff on a salary. It also discusses the rights of employees as salary earners.    

* READ MORE:  Click here