Keep a copy of this newsletter as some of the items in it may be relevant or provide needed information for you at other times of the year.
Schools as part of the state education system can be told by the Ministry of Education when to close and the Ministry may advise early childhood services in the same area to also close but closure is usually the decision of the individual ECE service owner, management board or manager.
Flooding
You have likely got preparations in place in case of an earthquake but what about flooding?
Always be prepared and know the key things to do to keep children and yourself safe. Have a list of key actions such as: to quickly put plugs in to block drains if needed to stop a back-flow of sewage.
> Go to ECE service flooding preparation and response advice and guidance
Rainy Days - Best Indoor/Outdoor Activities for Centres and Home-based ECE
Don't let the weather drive everyone crazy. Get lots of great ideas from this article on activities to make the most of adverse weather conditions, have fun and foster children's learning.
> Teacher/ caregiver early childhood advice and tips
Power Cuts
Are you breaking the regulations if you stay open?
Should you close and send children home? How can you keep children safe?
What can you do to make sure your service can cope with a power cut whenever and what ever time of day it happens?
What ways could teachers capture the experience to enhance children's learning and grow resiliency?
Should the electricity go off again, what can you do to be better prepared?
> Go to ECE service advice on reacting to and making the most of power cuts
ECE Regulations regarding preparation for and response to emergencies and disasters
See the My ECE regulation guide and check that your service can tick off that it meets the necessary basic requirements of the regulations and criteria.
> Emergency and disaster regulation page
Need Easter ideas for Under-2s and Over-2s?
> Go to resource of teaching ideas, games, activities, cooking, etc for Easter
Differences in family and religious beliefs and family views about Easter, etc.
Australian early childhood expert Dr Anne Kennedy says we need to “think carefully about celebrations, what they mean to families, children and communities, why they are important and what should the early childhood service do in response to them". Learn more and use this article for reflection and/or discussion with colleagues
> Cultural and religious diversity and responding to expectations
Research - Children involved in disasters and the early childhood curriculum's role in disaster risk reduction
Children are always involved in disasters such as floods, earthquakes, fires and tsunami. Centres can provide play activities to help children’s development of resilience to natural disasters. Play can also become a way whereby children can choose to exercise their knowledge about disaster risk reduction and personal safety.
Full Reference
Fikriani, D. & Bone, J. (2014). Children's participation in disaster risk reduction as curriculum. NZ Research in Early Childhood Education Journal, Special Issue: Early Childhood Policy, 17, 35 - 50. Retrieved from: https://www.childforum.com/research/journal-17-special-policy-issue/1149-disaster-risk-reduction-curriculum-early-childhood-education.html
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