There are many factors that contribute to our rising numbers of infants and toddlers in non parental care. Some have been discussed in this blog.
I would like to share my personal experience. My first encounter with infants in a childcare setting came in October 2013. I was assigned to an infant and toddler centre as part of my teaching practicum. Before I arrived, I had a very negative opinion, believing this age group belonged with their parents. I was expecting a fraught and stressful environment, noisy with inconsolable babies.
To my great surprise and delight, I found a delightful environment where under two's are cared for, and who are safe and happy. There are sometimes tears when a new child is settling, but these are rarely sustained behaviours. Infants who arrive in this setting, rapidly settle in and enjoy the setting as they develop authentic relationships, and experience a quality curriculum.
My teaching practicum was 5 weeks long, however I have been there, very happily, for two years now.
If the centre practice is following the markers for quality care discussed in this blog, child care for our infants and toddlers can be a magnificent and life enhancing thing, for both the infants in care and their families.
Tuesday 28 April 2015
Thursday 16 April 2015
Policies & Legislation
There are many policies and legislations surrounding our infants and toddlers in early childhood education. This page will seek to discuss the most significant ones:
Perhaps the drive for 100% participation rates is the most significant policy to affect early childhood education in 2015. New Zealand is ranked in the top third of OECD countries for participation in early childhood education. The Ministry of Education is currently trying to boost numbers across the sector, as it sees early childhood education as a major factor in academic achievement across the entire education system (Adams, Hamer & Openshaw, 2005). This policy affects infant and toddlers by encouraging parents to enrol their children as soon as possible. Parents will hear the message for participation from many agencies, including plunket and schools.
In NZ, early childhood centres get approx. double the Ministry funding rate from the government for their under two enrolments (Ministry of Education, 2015). The actual rate is set in a tiered system which is divided up by the ratio of qualified teachers. This may encourage centres that are run for profit to maximise their infant enrolments. However, many low income families do not consider sending their children to early childhood services, as they find they fees prohibitive (Ertas & Shields, 2011). "The benefits of placing a child in early education such as centre-based programs can have far-reaching effects on children's academic achievement and economic self-sufficiency later in life" (Ertas & Shields, 2011). Therefore low income families are disadvantaged by not being able to afford the fees. The government offers a Childcare Subsidy to remedy this, however unless parents are in work or fulltime study, children are only subsidised for their first 9 hours of care. If however, the main caregiver is working or studying, the child is then entitled to a full subsidy with a range of different options for hours of care
Women in New Zealand are encouraged to return to work relatively soon after their pregnancies. They are entitled to Paid Parental Leave. Currently, a mother is entitled to 16 weeks paid parental leave .This is due to increase to 18 weeks by 01/04/2016. Fathers can currently only apply for two weeks parental leave, and it is at the discretion of the employer as to whether or not the leave will be paid. This is in contrast to Australia who already have 18 weeks paid parental leave, and also America who do not provide any paid parental leave.
In a family where one parent is working more than 30 hours a week, that family is entitled to a Parental Tax Credit. This is part of the Working for Familes package. It helps with the costs of a new baby. If you are on a benefit, between jobs or work less than 30 hours a week, you are not entitled to this. This further disadvantages low income families.
“A compassionate government does not need to pay too much attention to those who don't have needs. True leadership is to fulfill a need of the needy. People who have needs need attention indeed! Be a true leader!”
― Israelmore Ayivor, The Great Hand Book of Quotes
Reference List
Ertas, N, & Shields, S. (2011). Child care subsidies and care arrangements of low-income parents. Children and youth services review. Vol 34:1
Ministry of Education, (2015). Appendix One: Funding Rates. Retrieved from http://www.lead.ece.govt.nz/ManagementInformation/Funding/FundingHandbook/Glossary/AppendixOneFundingRates.aspx
Adams. P., Hamer. J., & Openshaw, R. (2005). Education and Society in Aoteoroa New Zealand. 2nd Ed. Auckland, NZ: Cengage Learning.
Perhaps the drive for 100% participation rates is the most significant policy to affect early childhood education in 2015. New Zealand is ranked in the top third of OECD countries for participation in early childhood education. The Ministry of Education is currently trying to boost numbers across the sector, as it sees early childhood education as a major factor in academic achievement across the entire education system (Adams, Hamer & Openshaw, 2005). This policy affects infant and toddlers by encouraging parents to enrol their children as soon as possible. Parents will hear the message for participation from many agencies, including plunket and schools.
In NZ, early childhood centres get approx. double the Ministry funding rate from the government for their under two enrolments (Ministry of Education, 2015). The actual rate is set in a tiered system which is divided up by the ratio of qualified teachers. This may encourage centres that are run for profit to maximise their infant enrolments. However, many low income families do not consider sending their children to early childhood services, as they find they fees prohibitive (Ertas & Shields, 2011). "The benefits of placing a child in early education such as centre-based programs can have far-reaching effects on children's academic achievement and economic self-sufficiency later in life" (Ertas & Shields, 2011). Therefore low income families are disadvantaged by not being able to afford the fees. The government offers a Childcare Subsidy to remedy this, however unless parents are in work or fulltime study, children are only subsidised for their first 9 hours of care. If however, the main caregiver is working or studying, the child is then entitled to a full subsidy with a range of different options for hours of care
Women in New Zealand are encouraged to return to work relatively soon after their pregnancies. They are entitled to Paid Parental Leave. Currently, a mother is entitled to 16 weeks paid parental leave .This is due to increase to 18 weeks by 01/04/2016. Fathers can currently only apply for two weeks parental leave, and it is at the discretion of the employer as to whether or not the leave will be paid. This is in contrast to Australia who already have 18 weeks paid parental leave, and also America who do not provide any paid parental leave.
In a family where one parent is working more than 30 hours a week, that family is entitled to a Parental Tax Credit. This is part of the Working for Familes package. It helps with the costs of a new baby. If you are on a benefit, between jobs or work less than 30 hours a week, you are not entitled to this. This further disadvantages low income families.
“A compassionate government does not need to pay too much attention to those who don't have needs. True leadership is to fulfill a need of the needy. People who have needs need attention indeed! Be a true leader!”
― Israelmore Ayivor, The Great Hand Book of Quotes
Reference List
Ertas, N, & Shields, S. (2011). Child care subsidies and care arrangements of low-income parents. Children and youth services review. Vol 34:1
Ministry of Education, (2015). Appendix One: Funding Rates. Retrieved from http://www.lead.ece.govt.nz/ManagementInformation/Funding/FundingHandbook/Glossary/AppendixOneFundingRates.aspx
Adams. P., Hamer. J., & Openshaw, R. (2005). Education and Society in Aoteoroa New Zealand. 2nd Ed. Auckland, NZ: Cengage Learning.
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